Another great and busy week! And, we don’t have any visitors – how can we still be busy now that all of our houseguests have gone?
We enjoyed a date night on Tuesday courtesy of our broadband/television provider – every so often they have a “contest” and give away free tickets to a film showing at local cinemas. Banbury doesn’t feature as a venue every time so we were “lucky” to have secured tickets for the film. Since the Light at Banbury was only half full for the screening, I am guessing that everyone who entered the “contest” and selected Banbury as their venue of choice won! What are the chances of that?
The film to which we were treated was Primavera, which turned out to be a lovely, lovely film. It’s about an orphanage in Venice in the 18th century which provides opportunities for talented orphans to learn to play a musical instrument. These gifted “orphans” regularly perform concerts for important and influential guests.
Early in the 18th century, Ospedale della Pietà is the biggest orphanage in Venice, but it is also where the most talented of the orphans who live there are introduced to the study of music. Its orchestra is one of the world’s most highly regarded. Cecilia, 20 years old, has spent most of her life in the Pietà and is an extraordinary violinist. Art has opened her mind, but not the doors of the orphanage; this is the only place she can perform, behind a grille, for the rich patrons of the orphanage. That is until a wind of spring suddenly disrupts her life and everything changes with the arrival of the new violin teacher. His name is Antonio Vivaldi.
The film concentrates on one particularly gifted violinist, Cecilia, who was abandoned by her mother as an infant. She has spent the whole of her life in the orphanage and values the security and the relationship with her music teacher, Vivaldi. However, she is facing an arranged marriage with a rich aristocrat and is determined to escape and avoid her fate.
It’s beautifully filmed using natural light and a lot of candlelight – very evocative and very poignant. I think it’s in cinemas at the moment but I would guess it will be on a streaming service before too long.
Date night dinner beforehand at Pizza Express was of its usual standard. But, I didn’t have any vouchers – what was I thinking?
On Monday I sprinted to the pharmacy in Woodford to get my Covid booster. It was all very quick and efficient and I was out of there in a matter of moments. Penny is still not old enough to get one on the NHS – she may need to trawl the back alleys of Banbury or Daventry to see where she might get one. Last year she had to go to Northampton – none available any closer.
Thursday we were up at the crack of dawn ready to welcome the return of the electrician to finish the job they started a couple of weeks ago – just tidying up a few loose ends. Unfortunately, the early arrival did not materialise – he was held up elsewhere! He eventually arrived about 5.00 pm and finished everything. We complimented him on his work ethic and commented that he must be looking forward to getting home and relaxing. Not quite yet – he had another job to go to after us!
Friday evening we had another of our “Not a Pub Night” with our village neighbours. Always good fun to have a chat and catch up over a glass or three of (hopefully) decent wine and nibbles.
No birthdays I can see coming up but if I’ve missed yours, Happy Birthday!
YCNMIU
So many to choose from this week – JD Vance lecturing the Pope on theology, DJT portraying himself as Jesus, Hegseth quoting a “bible verse” from Pulp Fiction, etc.
However, we’re going for a home grown faceplant this week – Keir Starmer claiming that it was “unforgiveable” that he “wasn’t told” that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting before being appointed to be the UK ambassador to the US. You really could not make this stuff up – the Prime Minister not being told that the perennially corrupt Mandelson had failed his security vetting? If you believe that, as they say, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
As is often the case, John Crace had a splendid column highlighting the issue. Who in their right mind would believe that a civil servant would make such an important decision without referring it to either the Foreign Secretary or the Prime Minister? It’s just not credible.
And finally, I meant to include this last week. While the Head Gardener is trying to create a colony of frogs in the area near the pond, I noticed that our indoor colony had gained a new member – in the downstairs toilet this masterpiece appeared overnight. I gather that Max made it and left it there for us to discover. It is brilliant, Max. We love it.
It should have a name, I think. Max – what shall we call it?
And finally, finally, some Spring flowers and blossom from the garden. Beautiful.
And finally, finally, finally Pickles once again portrays our relationship perfectly.
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg
BTW – Miles Corum (Emily’s husband) has a birthday on May 4
Thank you. I’ve added his birthday to the list of upcoming events. Xx