Dylan’s school enjoyed a full and busy school fete at the
beginning of July on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon in the school playground.
The school grounds were packed with present and past families as one of the
school rooms had been converted into a ‘pop-up’ museum of years gone Rocklands.
Nanny Pat was able to find a picture of Dylan’s Great Grandmother sitting
outside of Rocklands School to show him, quite remarkable. The fete was opened with
the children maypole dancing, which is always fun to watch as little faces are
concentrating so hard to get right remembering where they fit into the routines
and listen intently to the instructions, all without strangling each other with
the ribbons! Enjoy a quick glimpse of my video below.
I was taken on a trip to Bluewater, which is just 15 mins
away from where I am staying. It is a ginormous shopping/entertainment complex
built in an old gravel pit. It felt like I had stepped into the Wild West being
impressed at the dramatic back fall of the old gravel pit, sharing its space
with a bright expanse of different shaped buildings.
I went to the cinema to see ‘Dunkirk’ at Bluewater. Wow what
a movie! The powerfulness of the story line enhanced by the emotionally charged
music made the watching experience both exhilarating and exhausting. The reality
of the Dunkirk event was horrifying particularly when it was shared Grandad
Charlie had a connection to the event. If you have not seen this yet it is one
not to be missed!
In the same week I took myself off to the Proms at the Royal
Albert Hall and brought a ‘Promming’ ticket for just £6 and stood in the
gallery, looking down upon the awe-inspiring spectacle. I was supposed to meet
a friend but she dropped out as was poorly so I was very brave and went by
myself! I know nothing about classical music and quite embarrassingly did not know
what I was watching but found I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I enjoyed
the storytelling element of the music as each piece was played the thread of the
tune led to the turning of the page and the next chapter of the story, it was
beautiful. As I closed my eyes there was a feeling of being engulfed by the
music as it was so easy to be absorbed in the moment. The final music pieces
were played by a 90+ strong orchestra, I marvelled as from on high it was like
watching a vast machine at work as each section were absolutely synchronised in
their movements. I did find out what I had listened to being:
·Liszt – Hamlet
·Julian Anderson – The Imaginary Museum by Bergen
Philharmonic Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
·Liszt – From the Cradle to the Grave.
·Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition by BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Ilan Volkov conducting,
When I had shared at work my adventure those avid followers
of the Proms shuddered describing my approach as ‘too much of a free spirit’,
with my just turn up and see what happens. So definitely going to see if I can
get to another Prom performance before this 123rd Proms finishes!
July has been a month of lots of barbequing being both the
norm, getting together with Roger, Rachel, Fraser and Brett with the lovely
Milly, then another date with my dear friends Libby, Maz and Masie, when
Vanessa and Lauren came along with children entertaining us. And partying as we
celebrated Sara’s 50th birthday in her garden. Jerry has mastered skill
in his own tasty burgers, absolutely scrumptious and filling, with the
frequency in which they are presented he is getting better and better at them.
My pictures share the really enjoyable BBQ occasions.
Fraser Roger Brett with Jerry and Dylan
India, Esmae Lucia and Dylan BBQ picnicking
Not sure what Libby is in control of - not dog or children!!!
