JB Progress

The pending arrival of my brother Fred and his Canadian wife Sarah from Grand Cayman, where they live, triggered plans for a family weekend to welcome them. We decided it would need to be at my and Sandie's houses, so as to accommodate my needs. Sandie nobly rose to the challenge of doing the catering for about a dozen people. We sourced much of the food from local businesses, such as Green's in Pangbourne and West Berks brewery. Things started with the arrival of my sister Maggie on Thursday 8th August to help with preparations. The plan was breakfasts for all in my house under her supervision, with lunches and dinners at Sandie's. On the Saturday afternoon Jim and Sarah's plane landed at Gatwick from Spain, where they'd spent a week. Most of my five siblings and some of their partners arrived on Saturday and enjoyed dinner at Sandie's. Final arrivals on Sunday completed the assembly. We enjoyed a splendid buffet lunch in Sandie's garden. Here'

Back home after a fine time at the annual Abbey Dore singing week. See: https://www.englishchoralexperience.co.uk/ Sandie and I stayed at a converted bungalow in nearby Grosmont, which had the necessary equipment. We have attended the annual singing week for about 10 years. Last year I was walking with the support of a rollator. This year by wheelchair. The main issue was getting into the abbey in a wheelchair, as it involved descents by ramps, the first of which was particularly long and steep.I was far from sure that it was feasible, but the conductor, Paul Spicer, took me down backwards with skill. By the end of the week I had 4 able pilots plus willing assistants. Six passages of the ramps were needed each day, 3 up and 3 down. My singing voice has been failing me, mainly in the upper registers, so I was an observer rather than a singer. I attended all the rehearsals and enjoyed them nonetheless. One hears more out in front of the choir as compared to being in the body of it.