Life!

Part 2 of my end of year round up.  Sunday was the usual for the time of year - handbell rehearsal in the afternoon at our house, then choir rehearsal at St Nicks, then handbells prior to the Carol Service, then the Carol Service itself and finally handbells at the convent.  Hayley didn't turn up so there were only 3 altos - me, Michelle and Gwyneth!  I enjoyed singing And The Glory, and seemed to be able to muddle through the rest.  David seemed pleased with it all at the end.  The handbells went well - all experienced ringers so even the runs worked!  I had a nice chat with Sister Barbara afterwards and thanked her for the cross stitch kits and the book and told her what progress I had made with the wolf. The new bridge in Parke On Monday it was down to Devon at last.  The weather was good for the first part of the week, especially Christmas Day itself, but Boxing Day was horribly wet and cold all day.  We both took Suki walking when the w...

Things got too frenetic to keep up with blog writing, so here we go with part 1 of a round up of life to the end of 2014.  I ended the week at Devon with handbells at Tracey House on Saturday afternoon.  We set up all the tables and got all the bells out and then discovered Jean had forgotten to bring the music!  So Charlotte drove her back to Moretonhampstead to get it and the residents had a cup of tea and mince pie.  We used the Alphington bells and music - the music being simpler so we could do it on the one rehearsal.  It went quite well - just a couple of restarts! Went back home on the Sunday - Mike took Suki out in the afternoon while I sorted myself out.  Then it was off to the Albert Hall to sing Messiah.  I was sat next to Judy, which was nice, and we were moved down to the back row of the stage section which was a relief as I felt much more connected to the conductor and the performance as a whole.  I thoroughly enjoyed it. Spe...

Declared the dachstein's dry and took Suki up on the moor.  It was quite damp and grey, but actually very enjoyable with waterproofs on and hands snug in mitts.  Went from small car park to Black Tor and back along the tramway.  Went to see Mary again, and joined in yet another sing-a-long of Christmas songs.  In the afternoon finished off Christmas decorations.  Handbell concert in the evening went well - packed hall (which was tiny and seated about 35!).  Finished off the white wine before going to sleep.

Slept a bit better.  Took Suki to Parke in the morning and plantation in the afternoon. Wet and miserable all day. At lunchtime went over to Exeter to ring with Tim, Sue, Sue and Lynn.  Had another go at Yorkshire Royal.  Got to the end this time but didn't count it as last couple of leads were all over the place.  Pleased to have got through it though.  In the evening went for final handbell practice before concert.  Seemed to go ok.  Got home and drank half the white wine before going to sleep!

Slept badly although not actually lying wide awake. At 6 listened to episode of I'm sorry I haven't a clue. Got up at 7.10.  Took Suki for a long walk from the house up Shaptor Woods and on to Slade Cross, then down th byeway and back along the Lustleigh  back road.  Saw improvements to railway track, including construction of new bridge at the end of Parke.  Not yet open but looked very close. When we got back Suki sunned herself on the windowsill.  Went to handbell practice at 2.30 - we practiced the pieces for Tracey House and then went over the Christmas Music which was good.  In the evening I finished writing all my Christmas Cards and got them ready for posting. Went to bed early and drank all the rose wine before going to sleep.

Got up and 7.15 having slept reasonably well.  Had breakfast and went for a walk with Suki to Bovey Valley Woods.  Usual paths were closed for tree felling and we had to walk up to the top of the ridge on the left to get to the gate out to the track. Then went straight on up the bridlepath and explored the heath, coming back round to the middle car park and then back down to the gate. It was lovely to be up high on the heath and look back over to the woods and the beautiful colours.  Then went left along the track and back on the other side of the river.  It was lovely.  I was wearing far too many layers - it was one degree and very cold when I left but the temperature was rising and the walking uphill had made me very warm. Then went to see Mary - and joined in Christmas sing song in the lounge.  I think Mary and I joined in some of the songs the lady wanted to sing herself, but we were enjoying ourselves.  Got home and put on soup mix with the old ve...

Got going nice and early with shower and breakfast.  Updated the handbell music with rehearsal marks and corrected notes, and produced PDF and Midi file for Mike to circulate.  Also got out Mike's carol books, and cling filmed the plates.  Took Suki out for a short walk round Wendell then packed the car.  Svetla arrived just before I left and she helped me put plates and glasses back on shelves.  Nice sunny but cold morning.  Set off for Devon at 11 and got there at 2.30 having stopped for petrol. Unpacked the car and found jar of tapenade had leaked on my new dachsteins so had to wash one. Had some salad and cup cakes I had brought down with me for lunch and a cup of tea, then went for a walk from the house to Parke and back via the pet shop to buy some more collars with lights as Suki's had broken.  Got in and watched the news then went ringing.  Very cold!  Went to the pub after ringing and stayed quite late although only had one pint of b...