Saturday, April 26, 2008

HOW TO RELAX

Oscar trying to show me how to relax... he changed chairs but still manages to enjoy his sleep!
Oscar say's he hope's all those ginger cat lovers can see how good at sleeping he is, pity he does not think of that in the middle of the night when I am trying to sleep!!!!!!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Spring has arrived!

Just a few shots of the garden yesterday, after such bad weather we saw the sun and I got busy trying to control the weeds!!!!!!
The frost did not get this blossom thank goodness but the magnolia flowers did not survive the bad weather.....
Spring did arrive but they forecast rain for later, so will enjoy it while it lasts......

Monday, April 14, 2008

SIMPLY BALLROOM

Once again I have been spoilt, and been taken to yet another show.......

It has been all or nothing this past week ... I have been so lucky to have been out and about, instead of being a home body......But back to normal now......

Last night dear Jan picked me up and then on to Liz and James and we set off to Lowestoft Marina Theatre to see Simply Ballroom..

Liz and James had been on a dancing weekend with Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag..also Sophie Lawrence and several more dancers....unfortunately Anton and Erin were not at the theatre last night, but Sophie was, Sam Kane and her hosted the show....

The choreography was really great ...the music, lights and dresses also spectacular... and those bodies they can really move......never knew so many men could do the splits..... ouch!!!!!!

Jan had booked us up in the circle, (we usually go down in the stalls) but what a great idea, as we could look down on the stage and therefore had the advantage of seeing all the moves..

Only thing is you really want to get up and dance as well!!!!!

It really was a great show and the energy was exhilarating. Waltz, Paso Doble, Cha Cha, Salsa, Rhumba and many more were all performed with such grace,, Sam and Sophie sang really well, and it all flowed and also went far to quickly......

So a big thank you once again Jan for the treat, I will have to come down off my cloud now and get down to some sugar flowers and housework......

Saturday, April 12, 2008

"CATS"

Wow... I was treated to the Theatre in Norwich last night!!!!

"Cats" such a wonderful show... the music, singing and wonderful dancing, and the costumes, I could not have wished for more...You know no doubt of Thomas Eliot and his poems, the ...Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats 1939...(no doubt Dive will lend me it as I am sure he will have it)......set to music must be one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest fun making shows....and Midnight was still in my head all night... and Memories brought tears to my eyes and the hair on the back of my neck tingle.....

The music was very loud and flashing lights then the smoke getting rather out of hand were the only slight downside, but of course if you sit nearly on the stage what do you expect!!!!!!!

I expect you all know about the "jellicle cats" and as my Oscar and anyone with cats know they have a lot of traits...which were so perfectly acted by those very talented people.....I truly did not know where to look so much was going on......

The stage was already set as you walk in and the junk and old newspapers old bedsteads, and it was so great very dark (until all those flashing lights) I admire the scene makers, you felt you were in the alley with the cats........

All the cast were so good but...the young white cat Victoria, what a ballet dancer, she was so supple it made me ache with envy!!!!and Mr Mistoffelees the conjuring cat.. OMG what a superb ballet dancer...and I must mention The Rum Tum Tugger, who I simply could not take my eyes off.. just great....

By sitting so close (thanks Anthony)!!!!!you really felt as though you were amongst the cats, and of course they crawl all over the audience........the young children in the theatre were openmouthed, the cast were really lovely with them, and at the interval the youngsters were allowed on the stage for Old Deuteronomy who stayed on the stage so he could sign their programmes...

It was like a ballet/opera/comic/tearful all wrapped up in one parcel.....

The costumes well they were really out of this world, and the 2 people who painted the leotards get a mention in the programme, all who produced the show should have a pat on the back and my hands were sore with clapping..

When the poor Grizabella, the glamour cat who had left the tribe but wants to return .. was picked to be the jellicle cat to be reborn. the scenery was spectacular and (that was when the smoke got a bit out of hand, but as I have said we were only 3 rows from the stage.....) the large round tyre lifted with Old Deuteronomy and Grizabella it went way up then the steps came from above and she went up my goodness it was high up and the music , lights and the cast all over the stage acting just like cats.......it was really breathtaking..

So thanks Anthony, Marian and Geoff for a great evening...Geoff and I had not seen the show before, but the other two had seen the show in London, must admit I could go and see it again and still not be able to take in the wonder of it......

If you have not seen it, do go you will be amazed and moved.....

Monday, April 07, 2008

Ivy House Farm

A couple of photo's from the Thursday Ruby Wedding treat....
This would make a good picture for a jigsaw!!!!!!
This is the lovely barn which houses the restaurant we had our meal in... and that is sun shining....................... weather has changed a lot this past week, at least looking at these I think of Spring!!!!!

Friday, April 04, 2008

RUBY WEDDING

Yesterday was the Ruby Wedding Anniversary of Derek and Jan my brother and sister in law.... we went to lunch .....with Jan paying, Thanks Jan, because Liz (their daughter) and I had a surprise waiting at Liz's for later......
Liz ,Derek and Jan waiting in the conservatory in the sunshine (it snowed on their wedding day) for our lunch.....

We went to a lovely place to eat, as you can see by the setting, and I have a nice picture of the Barn, which is part of the beautiful place...but have not sorted that yet....
This is my little Liz whom I adore, with her Dad, I have a great family, my other Brother and his Wife could not come with us as Jeannie is ill....so it was just us 4, (well it cost Jan enough for lunch as it was!!!!!!)Thanks Jan.....
Not a great photo of the happy couple but I could not get near for people taking photo's

Considering Liz planned it all as a surprise, with the help of James her hubby, Cousin 's Ruth and David also Jenni and Peter (Liz's in laws) oh yes and me (Auntie Beryl) they did not have a clue....

Derek said "You wait" whoops think he was rather shocked, but have not had a telling off as yet......about 18 friends and family came in the end, it was like Surprise Surprise!!!!every time the doorbell rang ...Jan and Derek could not believe we managed to get neighbours etc together without their knowledge, only thing is they will never believe us when we tell them anything now!!!!!
This is the little cake I managed to make and keep secret from them!!!!! and for my Alistair Griffin Site friends ...at last the Poppies.......as promised.. hope they meet with your approval.. afraid the leaves did not reach the cake as they broke as I made them...but think Jan was pleased as she loves poppies...
All in all we are very tired but happy folk to have made Jan and Derek's 40 years of married life a celebration...

(Because I know you will look in Jan......Congratulations to you both, I love you and can never thank you enough for all you do for me.....and yes John was not there in person but in spirit he always is......Liz.... you are wonderful and you know how much Auntie Beryl loves you......)
so glad you liked the surprise Jan and Derek......