Catchup Time

I have just watched the Sasha Cagen 'movie' about 'to do lists' and her forthcoming book on the subject. Watching that was not on my 'to do' list for today, but writing this blog was; 'blogging,' however, had a low priority compared with activities that might contribute to an income.

I revised my programme. The last few days have been so full that postponement of writing them up would have left many details unrecorded. During Friday I discovered that so many School and Church Christmas Fairs, which, I had been advised, should be fertile ground for 'Telecom Plus' recruitment, were only interested in craft stalls. For once I skipped the post choir practice gathering at the pub as I had an early morning train to catch.

Lorna and Tariq had promised me a quite undeserved 60th birthday treat; a weekend in London with live entertainment of my own choice. I am well aware that for their joint 60th/65th celebrations the lunch was on them. The weekend turned out, for all three of us, to be quite wonderful. Even the train journey was enlivened by my completing the reading of 'Wise Children', Angela Carter's novel, celebrated in my last entry.

Our first entertainment was the Lord Mayor's Show. Any worries about a smooth RV evaporated as soon as I walked through St. Paul's churchyard and saw Lorna. Lined up with the crowds at the side of the road, waiting for the bands and floats, I felt as if transported to Leigh Broadway, opposite Hawken's shop, waiting for Captain Barton, the Fire Engine, the Kursaal Flyer and all the other regulars of Southend Carnival in the 1950s. The mass of local, commercial and 'community' entries were sandwiched between the elegant carriages of the City Livery Companies. The finest band was, of course, the RM Band from Dartmouth, and of the Carnival and School Bands the Bluecoats were the most impressive. Lorna, ever the celebrity spotter, was especially pleased to see Peter Duncan, now Chief Scout, but perhaps the greatest daredevil ever to front Blue Peter. The George in Southwark was the lunch venue. The surroundings so simple and homely, - plaster, wood and the blacked iron around the fireplace - as 'basic' as the Public Bar of the Crooked Billet in the early 60s.

It was quite wonderful talking to Olly, over a coffee, after the Parade. He is so optimistic and confident. As the morning's procession had been redolent of Southend Carnival, so Olly's ambitions and plans were redolent of mine over 25 years ago. Both of us in the Forces; both doing musical gigs on the side. We both quite like the Forces and are well aware of all the benefits, financial as well as social. Freelance doings, however, become central. My own experience of ever declining fortunes leaves me with some foreboding for Olly. At least I can write with a full 'pros and cons' analysis of any decision he must make. Olly will, of course, make of my comments whatever he chooses. I can only communicate.

Olly went to Dover for the Dukies' Remembrance Day and L. T. and I went to the Coliseum to see Aida. Everything in the production worked beautifully; Radames sounded a little forced at first but soon warmed up. Aida's voice was mellifluous throughout. And as for the set and costumes; it was the triumphal puppet elephant that I rememeber most.

Even Sunday brought unexpected, and high quality, live entertainment. We watched the march past from the Cenotaph; we were standing near Big Ben as 11 o'clock sounded. Sunday Lunch at Covent Garden was not only the lovely grub ( swordfish, mash and beans); we had a powerful soprano singing operatic lollipops as well as a string quintet to entertain us.

Tea at Tariq's Club rounded off the weekend. The Civil Service Club was packed with old soldiers etc. who had been on parade in the morning. A walk to King's Cross and home on the train, tram and car brought a fabulous weekend to a close.

The first paragraph today was about 'to do' list. I must now assault mine and will report tomorrow on any progress.