Saturday 23rd 12.08hrs
I have not left the house for two weeks, save for going into the front garden yesterday to get my red car’s almost new battery connected for recharging! I had called the A.A. out on Wednesday, when it was throwing it down with rain, as Storm Chtistoph raged and parts of England (once again) became flooded. The swirling precipitation had found the remaining holes in my carport/conservatory/”museum” leaving more substantial puddles on the tiled floor than at any other time previously. Most annoying!
It was my turn, also yesterday, to prepare lunch for my neighbour in whose “support bubble” I belong. Preparing a simple spaghetti bolognese made a welcome change from decluttering, cataloging, and reorganising of my “things”. This latter activity does prompt distant memories and remind me that even so very long ago, I did have quite an interesting life. Before becoming a teenager, my parents would take me to the Halle Concerts at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. While that venue has been replaced by the excellent Bridgewater Hall, the facade still remains, hopefully with the Halle logo etched into the huge windows and glass doors at the front. It’s hard to accept that I am now the same age as Sir John Barbirolli (Principal Conductor) was when he died in July 1970. As a small boy, I sought his autograph on numerous occasions, and have just come across some of these, along with one of Sir William Walton. I doubt they are particularly valuable, but the memories they evoke are priceless. As a thirteen year-old, and having developed a taste for more challenging (and flamboyant) classical music, I was intrigued when a woman was guest conductor for two nights at the Halle…none other than the eminent French musician, and composer, Nadia Boulanger. Merely the mention of her name reminds me of the time, just before my fourteenth birthday, of, when requesting that she sign my programme, being invited into her dressing room for the most interesting and encouraging chat, recommending I should should read Hindemith, “Elementary Training for Musicians”. This I must do at some stage!
I enjoyed attending classical concerts right through to my early twenties. Perhaps one of the most historic performances I was present at was one conducted by Leopold Stokowski at the Royal Albert Hall in 1973, just prior to my joining British Rail at Buxton. Yep, I did wait at the stage door in the slim hopes of being able to request his autograph. But, being in his nineties at the time, he emerged, eventually, surrounded by security and was whisked away in what appeared to be a dark blue Volvo 144 or 164. I don’t seem to have the programme; maybe it will turn up as the decluttering progresses.
When I started writing this blog, the sky was light grey and it seemed that it would snow all day.
But now, the sun shines brightly and there’s plenty of blue sky….but it’s still cold out there!
That concludes my writings for the time being; let’s make lunch!
Thanks for reading,
David, 13.11hrs 23/1/21.
David's Cruise 