Cello lessons

I have decided to learn to play the cello. I've always loved it and figured now was as good a time as any to learn. I have hired a cello from the local music shop and found a teacher in my town. He's very good - still doing his degree in cello performance, but he also teaches piano and violin. I had my first lesson last weekend and was excited to get practicing on Sunday. Then I got the bright idea to try my hand at tuning and managed to break the C string. That's the really big fat one that is the equivalent of the C two octaves below middle C on the piano. When I told my teacher he said it was quite an achievement and he has never broken the C string. Guess I didn't know my own strength! I have managed to buy and fit a new string, but I think it's pretty bad quality because, even though it's now roughly in tune, it just sounds so much worse than the other ones. Think I'll be string shopping again this weekend once my teacher has had a chance to look at it and recommend the best one for the instrument (that won't cost the earth as I can't afford to keep replacing good strings on a weekly basis!) I have already managed a C major scale though and am learning how to hold the bow and make a sound that isn't too painful for the ears! (Poor J and the kitties!) But it gives me something to look forward to in the evenings to spend a little time practicing something and it has also inspired me to get back into practicing the piano. I really appreciate being able to sit down and actually make music on that instrument! Stay tuned for some pics with me and my beautiful cello :)

Happy Easter!

In the evenings, J and I have been reading a poetry book we picked up during our last weekend away. Here is one of our favs - which is perfect for this time of year. I never knew daffodils until I moved to Britain.

I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth
1804.

Marrakech

We just got back from a week in Marrakech! What a lovely city - a serious impact on the senses - all the sights, sounds, smells. We stayed at a brand new resort called the Riu Tikida Palmeraie, had a lovely suite overlooking the pool and Atlas Mountains. And we were spoiled with it being All Inclusive - all the food and drink you could ever want. We tried so many different types of food - tagines, kebabs, couscous, mint tea, and even lamb's brain (tasted fine but didn't like the texture)! And we are so happy that we spent a day up in the Atlas Mountains to go see the Cascades of Ouzoud (the 2nd largest waterfall in Africa) and several Berber villages. It really makes you appreciate and be grateful for all that we have. But the people are so friendly and kind. We never felt unsafe and were greeted with a Salaam Aleikum / Bonjour and a smile everywhere we went. What a great place - we would recommend it to anyone! We were so sad when we had to come back to dreary England.... But we can't wait to go back and are thinking of trying out the coastal town of Agadir next.

2nd Bedroom

We spent New Year's weekend finishing off the decoration of the 2nd bedroom. We had the ceiling re-plastered to remove the old textured pattern, repainted it white with several coats. We prepared all the woodwork on the skirting boards and doors and repainted in white gloss. We papered one wall with a gold shimmery paper and painted the rest in a caramel colour. We had a new carpet laid too. We then went out and bought a chest of draws to compliment the room and fitted a nice light. Finishing touches are J's grandma's African masks and a plate we bought in Morocco. Now you can come and visit!

The Costwolds - December 2009

Last weekend J and I went to the Cotswolds. We stayed in a little B&B in a town called Chipping Campden. We ate at nice country pubs, saw Charlecote Manor (where there was the most amazing choir singing Christmas carols), and took a walk up to Dover Hill. Such a nice much needed break!

Bonfire Night 2009

I passed!

The hard work paid off. I found out last night I passed the California Bar Exam!!!! Now where do I take the oath?

In other news, we had a lovely visit with my parents and C earlier this month. We even had a special day with S and his companion in London. What a blessing to have almost the entire family together again :)

Other than that, we're just working really hard, rehearsing for the panto in January, and re-decorating the 2nd bedroom. Oh - and looking forward to Christmas!!!