Reunited with my past

Posted on 14/02/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

Finally I made it down to my brothers – Valentine evening with my niece and nephew! A very cool evening with fish & chip supper and a DVD with their Aunt. Actually I think it was more of a treat for me but don’t tell them that.

Whilst I was there I found my mystery box waiting for me in the spare room. I couldn’t wait to bring it downstairs after supper and explore the contents with my niece and nephew.

My anticipation as I carried it downstairs. It was heavier than it should have been. All I recall leaving in it was some paperwork so I could set things up quickly again when I returned from Australia and my journal. Surely that was all??

As I removed the lid of the box I realised there was so much more inside. But first things first I had to check that the journal was there… it was!

Within the box was an assortment of packets of photographs. I loved opening each packet and relishing the contents. Seriously, it’s amazing how little we actually look back at photos. Of course, we have a few dotted around in frames but how often do you get the photo albums down? Or come to that actually put your photos into an album of any sort? Sadly there were a few pictures where I could remember the event or the day but couldn’t name everyone in the picture. They clearly meant something to me at the time but now…

However there were also an extraordinary amount that took me back to different times. That held memories, stories and adventures. What a treat it was also to be sharing these with my nephew and niece.

My time in Sydney

Adventure to the Red Centre. I just loved Kings Canyon, the Olgas and of course Ayers Rock.

Darwin, Kakadu and Daintree. Crocodiles and frilled lizards. Sleeping out in Kakadu so near to snakes and creepy crawlies. How I nearly put my hand on a tarantula spider when climbing a waterfall. Ooh and the beauty of the Golden Orb spider.

Joe loved hearing the stories and seeing pictures of his Aunt being younger and slightly (ahem) irresponsible. So when I dug further into the box and found a video of me skydiving in Australia, neither of us could wait to plug the old VHS video in to the TV and watch it. I think I may have gained a few kudos points when he held his breath watching me jump from the plane. We might have had to play it more than once too! Great fun and I really must get it transferred onto DVD so that I can view it again (I don’t still have a video player!)

Lots of photos from my underwater diving too. I have always been nervous of the ocean since nearly drowning in 1990… sort of understandable! Anyway it had bugged me that I couldn’t get over it, so I had decided to face the fear head on and sign up to do an Open Water PADI diving qualification. I remember being so anxious and barely able to put my head under water in the first day of training in a pool. Thankfully the instructors were exceptionally patient with me and during the week, managed to get me focusing on what was possible not my fear. I qualified too!

I was so impressed that I’d managed to do it that at our final wash-up drinks with the divers, I mentioned a fear of being out of control…. within an hour or so later I was booked into do the skydive the following day. Well and if I was to do it then I really should do it from the highest height possible – 14,000ft!

A lot of adventures and milestones… not least that I’d finally traveled to the other side of the world on my own!

I’ve loved reading the Journal… in fact despite needing to decipher my bad handwriting, it’s managed to take me back to the times I had during that 5 week holiday.

One of the things I was looking forward to revisiting (and that I’d remembered was in the book) was the ‘face reading’ that Dan insisted I have done in Hong Kong. I don’t/didn’t believe in any form of predicting the future and have always believed that you’ll may be told something that you will then go and create, thereby making it come true! Also how can they possibly tell you your past from reading your palm, cards or face? Anyway, Dan, a friend’s friend who had been educated in the UK but had returned to Hong Kong, insisted that I should give it a go whilst in Hong Kong. I said No a lot.. until a man ran after Dan and insisted on reading my face. He could only speak Chinese and I could only speak English, so Dan interpreted for us. Dan knew me only briefly and knew very little about me. Some of what the face-reader was telling me (translated by Dan) was scarily absolutely spot-on. Dates, times and people that only I could have known that night in Hong Kong. But he kept insisting that I continue to ask him questions as I’d not managed to ask him what he needed to tell me yet. After 20 minutes we gave up. He thrust a piece of paper with Chinese writing on it into my hand and said if ever I was passing through Hong Kong again I should seek him out at the Hong Kong University, where he taught.

I’ve always wondered what it was that he felt he had to tell me, so much so he ran after Dan and insisted I sat down.

Revisiting my notes though as been interesting. The pieces I’ll tell you about are that I was to have 2 children (one of each sex), the first at the age of 34. I will be my own boss, successful and prosperous. I am always surrounded by a great many friends and am always a very kind and generous person although do get taken advantage of by some but should always remember that that is their problem not mine and not to try to change.

Lots more but none that I feel the need to divulge!

An ex-colleague of mine has kindly translated (as best he can) the Chinese characters.

Wow it looks like a mysterious script to me at the first glance. there are some uncommon words from the Chinese lunar calendar. after some detective works I found that it describes the date 30/11/1967 in Chinese calendar. It reads vertically, from right to left. the top-rightmost word 女 means girl. I can’t read the second word. I guess the first sentence probably means a girl was born on 30/11/1967 (and that was you?) the second sentence is the same date translated in Chinese calendar. 作丁未年十月廿九日戊戌. That’s it for the black words. those in red ink don’t seem to be meaningful or relevant. Where did you get it? was is some kind of fortune telling? I remember you did that when you first visited Hong Kong. Nowadays we seldom use the Chinese calendar except for traditional festivals or some superstitious things like Feng Shui, astrology, palm reading, fortune telling, etc. Usually when people marry, we tell the birth date and time of the bride and groom to the Feng Shui master and ask if they are a good match. And when a child is born we’ll ask the Fung Shui master how the child’s fate is like in the future, and also suggestions for name.

I just notice the left-most red word is 土 (earth), which is one of the 5 elements in Feng Shui theory. In theory everything is classified into these 5 elements including people’s life. So I guess it means your life belongs to 土. People who are 土 have some characters in common. Feng Shui master will use this information together with your date and time of birth to predict your future. that’s how it works

Oddly enough though, I’d always thought I’d return to Hong Kong to find him and find what it was he felt he had to tell me… I’m sure I can think of more questions to ask now.

Actually I don’t think I need to. Reading this journal in it’s entirety. The entries from London, Hong Kong, Sydney, Alice Springs, The Red Centre, Darwin, Kakadu, Cairns, Below the Ocean, Above the Skies, Daintree, Hong Kong again and back to London, have shown me a great deal about my past and about my future. Not in Chinese script but just perhaps an inner strength that I think I’ve forgotten is there or been able to draw upon. In the short times I had on this trip, brief periods with different travellers and of course times on my own, I think I learnt more about ‘Living’ than I have done since or before. Having re-read my inner most thoughts, fears, challenges and accomplishments, I know it’s up to me what happens next and how I’m going to achieve it.

Darren Black

Posted on 01/02/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

Talk about a day of two halves! Straight after the Bob Chilcott Workshop ended I headed out to Winchester to a launch gig for Darren Black’s new Album “Rise Above the Mumblings”.

Darren’s genre of music is folk however with a spirit and poetry edge. I’ve known Darren for over 10 years and have seen his music evolve in that time. As part of other bands and perhaps a more commercial sound in his earlier work but now with a confidence to expand his own work in his solo career.

The venue was packed and it was wonderful to see so much support for his work.

There are a few sound clips on Darren’s website, so please do have a listen (and purchase the album too!).

Personally, it was also such a pleasure to catch up with many old friends who I’d not seen in a long while. Sometimes ‘life’ gets in the way of meeting up more often but I’m always so reminded of great friendships when we do.

Bob Chilcott Workshop in Teddington

Posted on 01/02/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while will know that I attended a Bob Chilcott workshop in Kingston last year… and loved it.

Clearly, one of the other attendees of the Kingston workshop, Anne, was also super excited about the event. She was so excited she encouraged her church in Teddington to host Bob Chilcott for another workshop today. I was, again, very excited to receive an invitation to attend. However was then disappointed that despite my eagerness to return my application and cheque, I was beaten by others to attend and I was put on the waiting list for tickets. However ‘Postive-Spin Wallace’ put it in her diary anyway and waited for a call to say that I’d been moved off the reserve bench and had a ticket… a few weeks ago the call came and today was the day of the Workshop.

I’m sure there are some reading this that don’t sing and perhaps think I’m a dullard to do so. Truly I was in your camp not that many years ago and used to wonder what Mum got out of the choirs she was a member of. I joined the Rock Choir for many reasons but one reason was so that for an hour and a half each week all I thought about, was singing. It truly lifted my spirits in doing so. I met a new group of enthusiastic people who laughed – a lot. People who appeared (at least for 1.5 hours) to be carefree and this rubbed off on me. ‘Carefree’ is a feeling that I lost when I was diagnosed with an unsure rare cancer. I hadn’t realised that I missed it nor that everything I did, thought or felt appears now to be planned, considered or reserved. So to be ‘carefree’ again has been a joy.

At Rock Choir we learn songs with only the lyric sheets. No music. We learn by ear and eventually without any lyric sheets too. At first I found it hard to not see and read the music but realise that this makes it ‘all inclusive’ and that noone is disadvantaged if they don’t read music. The music choices are contemporary – such as Adele, Beegees, Olly Murs, Amy Winehouse etc.

I signed up for the first Bob Chilcott workshop in Kingston as I wanted to challenge myself further. Learn to sing reading music. More choral and classical pieces and demanding a more precise method of singing with more vocal parts in the choir.

Today’s workshop once again challenged but was sooo enjoyable. During the day we learnt the following pieces:

Five days that changed the world (3 movements) – The Invention of Printing; The Abolition of Slavery; The First Powered Flight. (Sung here at in Worcester for the first time in 2013 –
Chilcott Anthems – God so loved the World; Be Thou my Vision
Chilcott Requiem – Thou Knowest Lord.

The workshop attendees were once again a wonderful mixture of people from different choirs, choral societies and Rock Choir. It was lovely to have so many men singing in the bass and tenor sections. As always, I enjoyed speaking to lots of new people and discussing how we each worked with our choirs to learn new songs. Listening to people talk animatedly about their choirs. What they enjoyed about being part of a choir. I was also surprised to hear from a couple of people that they were envious of our singing without music as they felt that it was really difficult to then sing without the score. Whereas I said that I’d love to see the musical score and to be able to learn or re-learn the back catalogue of Rock Choir songs from the music score. There is probably a happy medium for us all!

Although we learnt so many pieces during the one day – OK perhaps there was a lot of finessing that was still required (!) – I was once again encouraged by Bob Chilcott’s teaching style. YouTube clip. He has the ability to encourage everyone to sing. To hear where there can be improvements or tweaks required. He tells us why he wrote the piece that particular way, the inspiration behind it and who’s previously sung it. We are then able to understand further what we are singing and, I hope, interpret the emotion through our collective voices. There are lots of laughs throughout the day too.

At the end of our day’s Workshop we headed over to the Church to put on a short concert of the pieces we had learnt to anyone who had turned up…mostly family and friends. Here’s a YouTube clip of us performing one of the pieces. I’m quite impressed!

If you’re encouraged to attend a workshop or perhaps to listen to Bob Chilcott in concert, keep an eye on his website for opportunities.

Dressmaking

Posted on 17/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

Today saw a foray into dressmaking. Or perhaps a return to sewing? As a child I loved making things, sewing, embroidering, stitching, crocheting etc etc (although I never understood how to knit!). I loved it and made endless things or enhanced things with little embroidery stitches. For my Father’s 40th birthday gift to him, I embroidered numbers 1-40 on 40 white handkerchiefs. Many many hours of stitching but he loved those hankies and still has a threadbare one or two some 30several years later.

I remember Mum making things at home. In latter years to earn ‘a few pennies’ she set up a little home business making and selling things that we’d long forgotten we needed, such as ham bags, jelly strainers and steam pudding covers. She even sold to Harrods and Elizabeth David. As this home business grew she employed stay at home, retired and housebound people to do some sewing and earn themselves ‘a few pennies’. I used to help her make and sell some of these items, as did my Grandmother… and the little business was called ‘Relative Ideas’.

My Grandmother, Jet, was truly gifted and made lots of her own dresses, jackets, coats and other items. In her younger years she had studied dressmaking and textiles and indeed had designed a few pieces for others too. I have a few of her creations in my wardrobe that I occasionally wear and think of all her hard work in designing and making them.

So given my rich history of sewing skills, I really should have been stitching and sewing my own clothes for years. Except I haven’t. Sadly, despite owning a sewing machine, I haven’t used it in decades (apart from briefly helping my friend’s daughter make a patchwork cushion for her Granny when I was living there following my Phyllodes surgeries). My sewing skills needed a refresh and my confidence to make things needed a right jolly good kick up the ***.

So I didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’ when a friend of mine from Rock Choir, Miranda, asked several months ago if I’d be interested in doing a dressmaking course with her. We found out a course nearby and looked at those on offer and the prices – eek! Although committed to doing something, the cost was putting us off. We wanted to do a dressmaking course but first needed (apparently) to do a refresher/foundation course before the dressmaking course which added another £180.

Then along came an offer on Groupon. Make a dress in a day for the offer price of £49 with London Textiles Studios. Brilliant. This would be a test to see if we were capable. To see if the enthusiasm was more than ‘just one dress’. It would also work as the ‘foundation’ course required to do the original course that we’d found, if we felt the urge.

Without further ado we signed up and we also encouraged my friend MC and Miranda’s friend, Natalie to sign up with us.

An early start this morning to pick up our group of 4 and drive over to Bow, East London. However it was an easy drive and free to park on a Saturday near the London Textiles Studios.

There were 12 people in our class. Some with previous experience, some not. Most of us had done some sewing at school but with differing quantity of intervening years. There was a choice of fabric available to buy cheaply and some dull grey material free for the course. MC and I chose the grey and thought we’d use our ‘design’ as a template to recreate the dress into many more. Miranda and Natalie used fabric they’d purchased at Fabrics Galore in Battersea.

The dress pattern we were using was a fairly simple shift dress design and one that suited most body shapes.

The morning was mostly the preparation. Learning about the sewing machines. An overview of dressmaking. Measuring ourselves and then cutting out our pieces of fabric for sewing. (Frustratingly there wasn’t quite enough room for us all to cut at the same time so MC and I cut her dress pieces first on a small desk and didn’t manage to get mine cut by lunchtime. Our tutor, Carmen, cut mine out after sending us off for some lunch). We cut out the back, the front and two facing panels for the neckline.

We discovered a small cafe a short walk away (The Carmelite Cafe at The Nunnery)
that served a small selection of delicious lunchtime meals and some of the best coffee I’ve had since Melbourne!

Our afternoon was sewing! Eeek it was now time to put the dresses together. Inside Out…

Under instruction we first sewed darts.
Next we edged the bottom and sides of the facing panels.
A little like a jigsaw puzzle we put the facing panels to the dress and stitched the necklines.
Then from the armpit down to the bottom edge (edging and stitching).
Next was the top of the straps.
Then the armpits (in order to get some movement into the curves and corners of the dress, on the inside, we cut little nics into the stitching and sliced fabric off at the corners);
and having turned the dress the right way, i.e. Outside Out, and with a final check on length we then hemmed (double) the bottom line of our dresses.

Voila!

Sadly my dress is too tight over the bust but as it was only using the freebie (Nun’s habit material), I plan on remaking it ensuring my measurements are correct and to practice the cutting out myself. But I think you’ll agree we all did an amazing job… in a day!

We learnt how:

To understand dress patterns.
To take our own measurements for dressmaking (adding 2cm to the breast measurement and length) (on the fold of material & folding the tape measure into 4 against the pattern and adding 3 fingers to the measurement).
About selvedge, grain and bias.
To prepare and cut out our fabric.
About notches and nics.
To thread and refill the bobbin.
To prepare the sewing machine and troubleshoot when problems occur with tension.
To use running stitch and the measuring lines for distance from the edge of material.
To use zigzag stitch to stop the material from fraying and again how to measure our stitches to run over the edge.
To sew darts and hems.
To (via a demo) stitch in zips.

Girls weekend

Posted on 12/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

What an incredibly fabulous treat this past weekend has been. My flat has been super busy filled with fabulous people.

I have been playing host to my friend Jen who has flown in from Ithaca, NY, USA to in turn catch up with her old school friend, Susie. Susie was diagnosed a few years ago with a brain tumour. She’s an amazing lady and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting her when she was admitted to hospital in London – I was the ‘courier’ for the safe delivery of goodies such as garibaldi biscuits on behalf of Jen. From the very first visit we’ve had a jolly good giggle and I felt that I’d known Susie for years too! Susie and I have kept in touch via email when she went back to the ‘country’.

So in order that Jen could make the most of her short time in the UK and see Susie for as long as possible, I hosted the weekend for them both. Of course, selfishly it was also utterly brilliant that I could see them both and join in on the laughter, giggles and tears.

Poor Jen had a hairy journey though starting with the cancellation of her flight from Ithaca to New York! So, stalwart that she is, she jumped in the car and drove to NYC, stayed in a hotel for 2 hours (the most expensive hotel stay ever!) and meet her “connecting” flight to London Heathrow. Poor love doesn’t sleep on planes so was utterly exhausted when she was met by me on Thursday evening at Heathrow. She’ll hate me for posting this… but the ‘sleep-deprived arrival’ photo.

A short time for gossip and catch up on the journey home and cups of tea before collapsing into our beds. Hehe Jen awarded me a 4.5* rating for my accommodation when I presented her with freshly ironed bedsheets, fluffy towels, hot water bottle and dressing gown… but I lost half a star when we could only find one slipper!

Friday was a late start, a lot of tea and gossip and then headed out to the tube station to collect Susie, who had set out early from the country to travel to London. A late lunch, plenty more tea and gossip and we headed into Victoria where we met up with another old friend of Jen’s from University for a quick drink. Susie and I then headed off to Waterloo to meet up with some friends of mine and to see Fascinating Aida. What a total tonic that show was for us all.

After the show Jen met up with us and joined our party for dinner before heading home in a taxi and quickly to bed.

On Saturday morning I was first up and eager to try out my new waffle maker. When I stayed in Ithaca last year Jen’s daughter surprised me when she made waffles all on her own. They were, quite frankly, blooming spectacular. No mean feat for a young girl and I aspire to be as good as Ruby one day. I had asked and she’d sent me her recipe. The new waffle maker had arrived on Wednesday. I was ready to go. Inevitably I need more lessons to perfect the Ruby-Waffle but I did OK. Enjoyed by us all over a lovely long breakfast with yet more pots of tea and coffee.

Saturday afternoon we’d arranged to meet another old school friend of Jen and Susie and another University friend of Jen at London Bridge. We set out and caught a train to Waterloo in favour of a sunny winter walk along the Southbank. Sadly full of tourists but a beautiful walk nonetheless. We managed just enough time to nip into an small art gallery enroute and see some wonderful pieces. We met up on time and then decided to see if we could get a coffee/tea in the bar up the Shard. We weren’t going to be paying the ridiculous cost to go up to the viewing platform on the 72nd floor and are quite content with the view from the 32nd floor. Only a short wait in line and we were on our way.

I think we also chose the perfect time of day to arrive as the daylight was leaving us and the London lights were beginning to sparkle. Looking down on London as the light changed was mesmerising.

I think, if you’re thinking of going to the Shard and to avoid the queues I’d consider booking afternoon tea for the princely sum of £35. Not cheap but if you time it right you’ve got your table guaranteed for the time of your tea, no queuing and a tip-top tea into the bargain. I think the 72nd floor viewing deck ticket at £25 for a timed visit is overpriced. For £10 more you’ve got an afternoon tea and an incredible view – who needs those extra 40 floors – London looks great from 32! (£0.35p/floor Shard -v- $0.31/floor Empire State Building).

After our ‘drinks with a view’ we made our way back along the Southbank, stopping only for a quick bite to eat at the best Pizza Express venue with views over the river to Londontown.

Exhausted we all fell into our beds shortly after making it home.

Sunday was a very slow start. Us all in our PJs, cups of tea in hand, chatter and breakfast. The reality was that the weekend was drawing to a close and still there was so much to say, share and listen. So very difficult sometimes to be true to what you want to say when discussion are held over Skype or the telephone at other times. As an observer to some of the conversation though I can see the true friendship between Jen and Susie that has spanned 40+ years since primary school, childhood friends and close neighbours. To listen to their stories about cycling to school together and the mischief that they caused and their shared experiences and adventures – magical and I was honoured to listen in. Never long enough to say it all but so very easy to see the love shared.

We drove Susie to Paddington to catch her train home, stopping briefly for a cuppa and final farewells. Jen came back with me for a while, a delivered English curry meal and then I put her on the tube to her brothers for a final 2 nights in London.

Given that Jen was on a different timezone, my constant fatigue and with Susie’s treatment, we all did remarkably well fitting everything in and to keep going. I’m know, like me, the others also slept well when they both made it home.

No matter how long it’s never long enough. However we’ve learnt to treasure every moment, every laughter, every view and every memory.

I’m going Old Skool

Posted on 12/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

I’m going Old Skool.

I’m NOT going to run a marathon (or a 10K);
I’m NOT going to climb Everest (or Kilimanjaro);
I’m NOT going to walk the length of Hadrian’s Wall (or do the MoonWalk); and
I’m NOT going to scale up the Shard (or abseil down it).

I AM going to do a sponsored weight-loss!

TARGET LOSS: 25 kilo
TIME: 13 January to 20 April (Easter Day)
AIM: Lose weight and also raise funds for Penny Brohn Cancer Care

With your sponsorship, I would receive not only support but also motivation and encouragement. I need to know that you’ll be monitoring my progress. I need to know that I’ll be sharing my success and that it won’t just be me who benefits. The more kilos I lose, the more money will go to Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

So how about it? What will you pledge per kilo lost?

TO PLEDGE:
In the Comment/Reply box below:
Enter your name and the £/$/Euro per kilo pledged
Add your email address and TICK the box “Notify me of follow-up comments via email” to get my progress reports. I will post my weight loss (as tracked on Withings scales) regularly, with the final weigh-in being on Easter Day.

Once the challenge is over and my weight-loss has been calculated, I will then ask you to make your donation directly to Penny Brohn Cancer Care via their donation page. I’ve chosen not to set this up via JustGiving or other fundraising sites so that every penny goes to the charity not to admin costs.

Wish me luck and tonight I’ll be enjoying my last takeaway curry for a while!!!!

Hehe told you it was ‘old skool’ fundraising.

20/01/14 – UPDATE – 1 week in and 4kg lost… great start!
27/01/14 – UPDATE – Disappointed with only 0.3kg lost this week. Must try harder!
03/02/14 – UPDATE – Going in the right direction… slowly – 0.3kg lost again.
10/02/14 – UPDATE – Still losing (a little bit) – 0.7kg lost this week.
17/02/14 – UPDATE – Fed up as gained 1.1kg!
24/02/14 – UPDATE – Yippee lost 2.1kg.
03/03/14 – UPDATE – A dramatic weightloss of 0.3kg!
10/03/14 – UPDATE – Consistent eh? Weightloss of 0.6kg
17/03/14 – UPDATE – Whooohooo another (drumroll) 0.3kg lost
22/03/14 – UPDATE – Drumroll… a whole 0.3kg lost
31/03/14 – UPDATE – Whooohooo 0.8kg lost this week
04/04/14 – UPDATE – Earlier than normal but after my 5 day detox juicing – loss of 2.3kg
14/04/14 – UPDATE – 0.2kg lost but 28cm! See Juicy Oasis post.
19/04/14 – UPDATE – 0.3kg
Total lost at the end of the challenge: 11.7kg which in ‘old money’ is 25.8lbs or 1.8st

Fascinating Aida

Posted on 10/01/2014 by AnnaGoAnna

We’ve just got in from seeing Fascinating Aida perform at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank. What a scream. Laugh out loud (or for you young ones LOL) humour. Blinking brilliant.

You may have heard of them from their YouTube clip ‘Cheap Flights for 50p‘ which went viral on social media and I often see posted again and again.

The whole show consisted of similar short sketches. Each one of them topical, edgy, funny and more than often a little rude! I particularly loved that some of their ‘ditties’ said exactly what I’d love to say but never have as I thought it may offend! The audience was made up of all age groups and both sexes in pretty equal proportion. I did worry a little when they performed ‘Dogging’ but as they were quick to point out if you’ve bought a ticket to see them you probably know what dogging is!

Oh and remember what OFSTED stands for – Overpaid Fuckers Shafting Teachers Every Day.

I was very grateful for the intermission though as my cheeks hurt from laughing so much.

They’re on tour for a few more months, so if you can get to see them DO IT! You’ll love it.

If you can’t get to see them live, then do take a minute to look through their clips on YouTube. It’ll lift your day!

Enjoy x

The Artist at the Royal Albert Hall

Posted on 30/12/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

I didn’t manage to get to the cinema when the Artist was showing. I heard all the hype about how fabulous it was and felt that I should have seen it. Then when it cleaned the floor with a squillion film awards I knew I’d missed out.

However I did wonder why. I mean we had black and white silent movies many years ago and they lost out to the newer ‘talkies’. I considered getting the DVD at home to watch but was urged that it wouldn’t be the same on a small screen. So I did nothing… well until I spotted that the Royal Albert Hall were showing the film with the score live from the London Symphony Orchestra!

Well that’d be a big enough screen, right?

Tonight we took our perfectly located seats in the circle, dead centre to the big screen and awaited the orchestra’s arrival. The orchestra arrived and tuned up. Much celebration from us all when the pianist and conductor came out. Then the credits rolled and the music started.

Incredible film. Cleverly reminded us how actors don’t actually need words to communicate a story. For some parts there were subtitles and others we lipread. There were points when I didn’t know what was being said but it didn’t matter as the actors expressions and gestures told us what they meant.

The sensory aspect of the evening was by watching a film without words. The music being played beautifully from an orchestra below the big screen. Then to really confuse us, there was a couple of points when the silent movie became a ‘talkie’ – it managed it. It actually seemed odd to hear words being uttered by the actors!

So very pleased I’ve now seen The Artist. So very much more pleased that I’ve seen it with a live orchestra in such an incredible setting.

Reviews:
Entertainment Focus
Classical-Music

Rugby on my Birthday

Posted on 30/11/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

I’d been really looking forward to today. Seeing Barbarians -v- Fiji play rugby at Twickenham with my brother, nephew and friends. I was also able to invite a friend’s son from the US who has been doing a short internship in London. On his ‘reccying’ visit in the summer he confessed to not understanding rugby or cricket at all, so we’d best educate the chap!

I love the Barbarian matches and love that they always play on my birthday. Wrapped up warm (many layers) we met at Twickenham. My nephew and his friend were almost as excited as I.

Perfect seats for us. Back row so the boys could stand up and cheer loudly! Right behind the goal and at the top of the steps – perfect all round.

A fabulous game… better 2nd half than the 1st for those of us cheering on the Barbars.

The match is hosted by the Barbarians to celebrate Fiji’s centenary year of rugby. Fortunately the result of 43 points to 19 isn’t as shocking as the results back in 1970 when the Fijians demolished the Barbarians 29 points to 9! Although today’s score doesn’t show how close the game was fought.

Fabulous birthday treat… AND to be hanging out with my brother and nephew for the day is the hugest treat of all.

Sky’s match report

Budapest Visit

Posted on 19/11/2013 by AnnaGoAnna

Yet another wonderful flight with British Airways. I was only slightly embarrassed when the Head Stewardess called my name and said she’d a message from BA’s Executive Committee. Ahem… thank you for flying with us so often this year!

So I’ve made it to Budapest. First impressions as I make my way from the airport to the City and my hotel, it’s quiet. I mean it’s really quiet. Cities usually have a noise about them or at the very least a hum of busy-ness but it’s missing. Starkly to my ear it’s quiet. I’m also aware of the buildings. There are some of architectural note but many in disrepair and ‘grey’ in colouring. Obviously this changes as we reach the city centre and tourism land but I’m wondering if there is a great deal of poverty in Hungary and if I’m going to be confronted with lots of beggars whilst I’m here. It’s not in anything I’ve read nor any of my friends who’ve visited before me have mentioned it but I’m wondering…

This little break away in Budapest is courtesy of my Avios points and a very small amount of cash and once again I take no responsibility for my being here. They sent me a very kind email which asked if I’d thought about visiting Budapest. I replied (out loud!) that I had but had never been. Scrolling down the email it encouraged me to book it… so I did!

As you know I rarely venture overseas if I can’t also add in an opera or a concert. It’s always such a treat to be able to experience either of these things in a foreign country, often in their language and certainly in a new and exciting venue. Tonight was no different. I had been able to secure a ticket to see Madame Butterfly by Puccini at the incredible Hungarian State Opera House. The Opera House is quite an imposing building on Andrássy út
but even the ornate stonework on the outside doesn’t prepare you for the incredible detailed interior. I can’t do it justice in words so please look at my pictures. (As always, click on the images to see in fullscreen)

I even remembered to bring my opera glasses. They were my grandmothers and then Mum’s and I don’t think I’ve ever remembered to take them with me before today. What a splendid production. An incredible performance from Butterfly herself. The set design was cleverly simple as were the costumes. However each were striking and effective to the storyline too. Loved it.

During the intermissions I spoke with a lady sat to my right. She is German and told me that she had now been to Budapest for a week’s holiday for the past 8 years! I asked her why she kept returning. Her response ‘simple – opera, baths and coffee’. Her itinery is always similar – Buda’s best thermal spas during the day, opera in the evenings and often returning to the spa late at night too. She’s given me some tips for spas… so I’d best get some sleep now as I’m going to be visiting one tomorrow (I hope!).

Sunday
After feasting on a wonderful breakfast in the hotel (Sofitel Budapest) , walking shoes on, water bottle in backpack and we’re off…

My walk took me first along the river and over the Chain Bridge. This bridge is one of the iconic pictures of Budapest but has another meaning for me. The designer of this bridge also designed Marlow bridge – a bridge I know well from my childhood.
I took the funicular train up to the Buda castle area. Only a few minutes of a trip but I absolutely adored the wooden carriage, the antiquated structure and, of course, the magnificent view back across the Chain Bridge. Well worth the price of a one-way ticket.

I spent several hours walked around the Castle District. I managed (unplanned) to also be there for the changing of the guards which is an incredibly regimented event with lots of high kicks from men in uniform! Heading right first I discovered the Fisherman’s Bastion which has conical towers and reminded me somewhat of a Disney story or two. The views back over the Danube are quite something from this vantage point too. Next to the Fisherman’s Bastion is Matyas Church, Gothic windows and roofs decorated with stunning multicoloured tiles. I was fortunate enough to be there in glorious Autumnal sunlight so the tiles shone.

There were many Squares, intriguing street ways, museums, fountains and official buildings to explore in the Castle District. I however was determined to find the Hospital in the Rocks. I was ignorant of the history of Hungary so the trip has been fascinating to find out about it. I didn’t know that they were under Communist occupation for many years (less didn’t know but perhaps didn’t have reason to consider). I didn’t know that one of the longest battles during World War 2 was centred around Budapest. Through an archway and down a stairway, I found the entrance to the Hospital and waited a short time until the next tour. I had heard about the hospital being made up of underground tunnels but didn’t fully know what to expect. If you’re in Budapest you HAVE to go. During WW1 many people from Budapest dug underground and created their own caves where they stored possessions and were safe. In WW2 the Government thought that they could use these caves by joining them together and creating an underground hospital over 1km in length, safe away from the bombing. It was only ever meant to hold up to 60 patients, as an overspill from the main Budapest hospital of St John’s. However when the main hospital was bombed it became the main resource and at one time there were over 200 patients in the cramped tunnel and caves. They put in ventilation system and a water filtration system also. There are now wax models of soldiers, doctors and nurses to show you how the space was utilised. It really is quite incredible and surely saved many many lives. What is also obvious from the models is that they were treating British and German alike. Far far into the maze of tunnels is also a ‘secret’ nuclear bunker!

After a wander round the Castle grounds, I headed down the hill. Views over Budapest were amazing in the afternoon light. I’d not walked enough so decided to cross the river at the next bridge, Margaret Bridge, about 1.5km further along. A lovely walk with amazing views across to Parliament. Over the bridge and headed toward Parliament. Sadly there’s a great deal of building work and resurfacing work being carried out in Budapest so for much of this walk I was directed between barriers and unable to get close to many buildings of note. The ‘building’ route also took me much further along the river frontage to be able to ‘touch’ the Jewish shoe memorial. I was able to see it but through wires so the pictures below are ‘borrowed’. However it in no way lessened the impact of this memorial.

As the light was fading and my feet were well and truly aching, my sightseeing day needed to end with a cake and rest!

Dobos Cake it had to be with a piping hot coffee (see photo below).

After a hot bath and chill I was getting ready to go out to forage for dinner when I looked out of my hotel window and saw this.

I left the hotel and headed right toward the Jewish Quarter. Again lots of squares and buildings that once again were ornate with carvings and clever architecture but right next door to ramshackled shells of buildings that appear unloved and disused. There was also more building work being carried out and indeed the skyline of Budapest carries quite a few cranes. Once again I realised that the streets of Budapest are really very quiet. However at no time did I feel unsafe as I wandered aimlessly down interesting looking streets – no plan and no map! I spied the Synagogue on my travels and my intention is to revisit this during the day before I leave. After a few hours I found a small restaurant for dinner. Great food but not noteworthy enough to tell you where (despite their being in the ‘Best Places to Eat in Budapest’)!

Monday
This morning I woke up with one of my headaches/migraines from hell and stupid stars in my vision. So a leisurely breakfast and back to bed to get rid of my headache.

Several hours later I was up and out. Feet still ached from the day before but I headed back toward the Jewish Quarter in the daylight hours. My late start and a few wrong turns meant that I arrived at the Synagogue shortly before they stopped doing tours (which in the Winter is shortly after lunchtime!) However I was able to see quite a lot by walking down the side streets and looking through the gateways. Stunning once again. It was evident that the Jewish Quarter was probably better maintained than other areas of Budapest.

Next I walked the labyrinth of back streets and alleyways through to find cake! I’d been told of the Alexandra Bookshop. But first, I found another cafe that I’d also been told of – the Muvas Tearooms. This old-world tearooms is worth a visit. The sandwiches, drinks menu and, of course, cakes are plentiful and add to the ambiance of old-world charm, ornate ceilings and mirrors. The staff however are a little stuffy but hey! A sit down with a sandwich and iced tea was most welcome. As much as I was tempted by their selection of cake, I headed out again in search of the Alexandra Bookshop. I knew there was a sumptuous cafe behind a bookshop front but somehow I didn’t expect quite this. Truly incredible that you go through a ‘Waterstones-esque’ bookshop, up an escalator and see an archway. Through that is the most incredible tea room. It originally was the second floor of the former Paris Department Store and has chandeliers and fresco-style ceiling painted by Karoly Lotz – the same artist who painted rooms at the Parliament building. Talk about grandiose and renaissance. Hot chocolate and cake were also divine.

A short hour and a half to nip back to the hotel and get changed for tonight’s 160th anniversary of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra concert. It’s once again at the Opera House and a splendid affair. Whilst waiting to take our seats I got chatting to a lovely lady from Budapest. She’d travelled the world in her time and worked overseas including as a nurse at St Christopher’s Hospice in the UK. Amongst other topics I asked her why there was so much building work in Budapest. I was intrigued that so much was taking place at one time. It all became clear when she told me of the war when a lot of Budapest was bombed. Of the communist times in Budapest where nothing was done. Then sadly the last Mayor was in office for many years but refused to do any renovations or repairs. The locals watched as buildings that could have been saved crumbled away and with it pieces of history lost. She said how envious they had all been that in Prague renovations had been undertaken for years and that tourists travelled there in droves for years to see their beautifully restored city. However the new Mayor has instructed renovation and repair wherever possible. Everything is it to be done immediately and by craftspeople to try to retain/restore as much original feature as possible. The people of Budapest are very happy and she said also willing to be put out by all the building work for as long as it takes to restore the city to it’s former glory. I, for one, look forward to returning to it one day to see this.

Bartok: Dance Suite
Kodaly: Dances of Galanta
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
Conductors: Gyorgy Gyorivanyi Rath,
Pinchas Steinberg

After the concert I took my dinner at Callas a restaurant right next door to the Opera House but had been recommended to me. Great food, fabulous service and, once again, a building worth seeing.

Tuesday
My final day.

My wanderings this day took me along the Danube river front toward and over the Elizabeth Bridge. I visited the Gellert Spa to look at the art deco interior. I wasn’t brave enough to bare my scars to the world in the spa itself so didn’t get to see the whole space. For those more adventurous the Gellert Spa or the Szechenyi spas were both recommended as places to visit, relax and enjoy. Rudas baths were also recommended but apparently are a little more basic and have single sex days on certain days and times so check first.

Further along the riverside is the University. Around this part of the City I got the impression that it was very studenty and I guess would be more lively in the evenings(?). The University is huge in Budapest and I understand is quite something to be able to get a place here.

My journey then took me back across the river over, this time on a tram. After a very short trip I got out and walked back in the direction of my hotel. Stopping off for one ‘last’ teashop experience at Gerbeaud. Gerbeaud is said to have the best cakes in the city… there’s a LOT of competition!

Sadly my time in Budapest was so short. I certainly could have discovered more in a few more days and perhaps even plucked up the courage to visit one of the spas! One thing that I realised part way through my trip though was that the Hungarian identity seems to be quite confused. I think because of the war, of occupations, of communism etc, there have been hangovers from each of these eras and the true Hungarian identity has enveloped something from each of them. It’s magicial in some respects because there is so much diversity and culture but in others I wonder what a ‘true’ Hungarian city would be like. The opulence inside buildings isn’t reflected so much in the grey of the outside and streets. Again is that a bad thing? Each place holds a secret beauty inside. My comments about poverty too may have been misplaced. The local people I met and spoke with are happy. Happy with what they’ve got but don’t have longings for material things, labels and possessions. It’s probably quite refreshing. The shops are simply stocked (with the exception of the tourist thoroughfares). Pharmacies have everything behind wooden screens where you are required to speak with a pharmacist to ask for everything (even toothpaste I discovered)!