Expedition Canada

It's a Boy! Grandson no 2 has arrived, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs. Born 29th October, Laurence (Laurie) Alfred River is home, putting on weight and making his presence felt.  Grandson no 1, has assumed the role of big brother and after a complete indifference to his sibling's impending arrival, has proved to be a caring and gentle big brother.   Not sure how long this love-in will last; I suspect until the little one starts knocking over big brother's creations or 'borrowing' his toys. Mum, baby (and Dad) are all doing fine albeit getting re-acquainted with diapers and sleep interrupted nights. Cherubini's Requiem on Remembrance Day was a huge success.  Two packed and appreciative audiences, with the singers accompanied by a small orchestra, all brilliant musicians.  If you have not heard the Requiem, there is a great recording on  YouTube .      Rehearsals have started for Handel's Messiah which the Coast Messiah Choir and Coast Messiah O...

Apparently Nov 13th 2023 I have never been a football fan.  It might be something to do with being taken to see Brentford play Southend or Southport or something South when I was a nipper.  The sleet flew horizontally across the ground, it was freezing cold, I was too young to swill beer, I could not see properly and Brentford lost 0-2 in that Boxing Day game.  It was a defining moment.  At school I used to ‘support’ Arsenal (or was it Chelsea) because everybody supported one team or another, but I never went to or watched a match and couldn’t name a player.  I only ever checked the scores so that it appeared I knew what I was talking about.  Others in my family supported West Ham or Brentford.  I tended to support the opposition but remained ignorant and indifferent of anything to do with the Beautiful Game even when England had a key World Cup match, which let’s face it, they usually lost! Move on a few years and I am now glued to the screen wat...