BIG BEN sets the BELLS a-RINGING!

It has been some time since I have taken the trouble to do a blog, but our eldest grandson Ben's recent Performance at the end of his Degree Course provided such a 'Friday Night Fever' that I just had to record it.

We went to Guildford with Martin and Kim, Vicki and Max ,and arriving early at his College had a chance to take a look around the various rehearsal booths, recording studios and the like - all very state of the art. Here are Vicki and Max looking as if they know exactly what they are doing - NOT.

When it was time for Ben's set, we all packed into the performance area, which looked very professional, and were provided with ear plugs - so we had an idea of what we were in for!  I could never have imagined that I could enjoy four pieces of music by two guitarists, a drummer, and of course mainly Ben, SO MUCH.     He was truly fabulous, SO talented - the music takes him over, and his fingers take on a life of their own.    As one who attempts to play the cello with much enthusiasm, but no talent at all, I can so appreciate just how amazing are his fingering and vibrato.   I was just thrilled to bits with it all, but very particularly liked 'Good Thing', the slower piece which showed such warmth and texture.   Thank you Ben for making your Granna's spine tingle, set her feet and much more a-tapping, and made her feel young (but not foolish!) again.

                                                 

Martin and Kim took us all out for a celebration meal afterwards at a super Italian restaurant nearby, and a great evening was had by all.   Late to bed- but with Ben's spectacular performance still running through my brain.    Sharing family occasions like this make me SO delighted to have lots of grandchildren - ALL of course very clever and talented in their own particular ways.

While I am here blogging, I might just mention a few of the other happenings in the lives of us two elderlies recently.    Winscombe Community Choir, of which I am a keen member (can't sing, but love trying), made its debut as the Headline Act at a (late) Jubilee Celebration Concert locally - it was really a case of "Singin' in the Rain" but what did we care - the audience of friends and families of the 80 members put up their brollies and cheered us on enthusiastically.

                                                             

.....there I am, behind, and to the right of the bald man by the microphone ......as we are all chattering away, I guess this picture was taken after we had finished......

There has been Zac's Christening, which was a really lovely occasion - he wore the tank top I had knitted him, and behaved perfectly...........  John and Sam provided a super Sunday lunch afterwards for 40 of us at the Apple Tree nearby - such a happy day. (but I don't have any accessible photos to show.)

We had my brother Trevor, and Vivien to stay for a few days, so that they would be here for the lunch I was giving on Mum's 96th birthday for her 4 'kids' (now all OAP'S) and their partners.  Sadly Mum had a couple of falls, and wasn't well enough to come so we took the champagne, decorations and presents over to her that afternoon........      Here we are doing a bit of preparation in our kitchen. 

                                                 

Regrettably for Mum she had to go into hospital, but we had the pleasure of Kerry coming to stay for a few days.  She was able to visit her Nana with us, go to a choir rehearsal with me, play her flute with piano accompaniments by variously her Dad and me,  make some biscuits, spend time just enjoying the ever-changing view from our garden room, and even take a few photographs at her old haunt - Backwell Lake .......

Just a day or so before Ben's Big Beat, we drove Kerry back home, and took time to draw breath before the journey back home by having a meal down by the Bay at the end of her road.  The sun was STILL shining - yes, summer finally arrived in the form of a full 8 days of continuous sunshine - and it was a real joy to watch matchstick people  splashing about in the sea,  families tucking into barbecues on the beach, and folk of all shapes and sizes finally able to shed their winter woollies.

          
The past few weeks has been a kaleidoscope of ups and downs, with hospital visits and worried phone calls punctuating the days, but I have a pre-birthday lunch tomorrow with Sean, and another the day after with a friend, a birthday away day/night down in Devon, and then a holiday down at Kim's home in the lovely Hampshire countryside next week (whilst they are all holidaying in Greece) - thankyou Kim for providing such  very comfortable top-end Self Catering accommodation. 

Note to myself - don't leave it so long before blogging again next time.