What a great time we had!

On Thursday evening some friends and I went to see 'The Railway Children' at Waterloo Station. I had been called off the subs' bench for the event but did not hesitate to take up the offer. The film is an all time favourite of mine, so I was really looking froward to seeing the live adaptation of the book.


I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to go, it is a wonderful evening's entertainment and everyone should try to go. It is a true spectacle, with a real steam train making more than one appearance during the show. For those of you who enjoy a different production space this is a fascinating space that makes such good use of the railway, that is the theatre. The rails are not only used for the scenes with the train, but also for trucks to change the acting space and to bring props on and off the stage space. 


The theatre has 1,000 seats split between two platforms, literally. As a result of this the acting is very much 'in the round' and is brilliant. 


We sat on Platform Two, in row H in the middle block, these were perfect seats as we were far enough back to be able to see all of the acting space, but not so far back as to feel out of touch. This is a dreadful photo taken from our seats, but gives an impression of the space.

We met at 7pm outside the theatre, by platform 19, and started our journey back in time and up to Yorkshire. As we entered the 'Theatre' we walked through and echo tunnel and were encouraged to make noise from the start. When we entered the main front of house space it was slightly surreal, having previously been in the same place prior to a Eurostar trip to Paris. 


The Front of House space is bright and airy, benefiting from its former life. We had planned to order interval drinks, and duly decided to share a bottle of pink champagne in tribute to 'red flannel petticoats'; what a good choice it was too.

All in all the show was amazing and a great way to spend an evening. And did we cry; what do you think?

A Bit Too Close for Comfort

When I was cycling home from the station last Friday I picked up the smell of burning. At first I thought it was someone having a bbq, then I realised that it was more of a bonfire smell and wondered who would think about having a bonfire after all the dry weather we have had. 

The nearer I got to home, the more obvious the smell became and my mind started running riot.

I turned into our road and saw smoke billowing from behind the houses to my left, clearly coming from the nature reserve behind the houses, and all too close. Fortunately the Fire Brigade arrived just as I was looking to see where the source was. But further along the road, there was more smoke, with a Fireman clearly trying to find how to get to the second fire. That evening we had a number of fire engines driving up and down the road.

Today I came through the reserve to take photos for Shimelle Laine's online class, and found this.

Last week the same place looked like this

What a difference a couple of days makes.

On a brighter note, I did get some good photos for the class and some generally cute shots:

And these were taken in the garden, having been grown from seed.

This is a first!

Last night we were invited to join some very good friends for supper. He is an exceptional and inventive cook, so we knew we were in for a night of good food and company. The meal started with homemade tomato soup and bread, but look at how is was served, certainly saves on the washing up.

The meal continued in the same vein, but as we were also served with chilled Erdinger beer, my ability to take photos declined (just as well we were on our bicycles and not in a car!!)

It was a wonderful evening but eventually we had to go home, we finally flopped into bead at about 1 in the morning, so this is not going to be the longest or most erudite entry.

In the UK and, yes we do have Parakeets in the garden!!

I was talking with someone at work a couple of days ago about sitting in our garden and hearing the sound/noise of Parakeets. They could not believe that I had not actually lost my mind and was not hearing things.

Well, as I was downloading some photos from my camera yesterday for the class I am taking with Shimille Laine and found these, not very good, photos that I had taken a few days ago and forgotten about.

Why Wouldn't You?

So, as I was cycling home from the station today, taking the scenic route through the park/nature reserve, I spotted people who seemed a little unsure which where they should go and being a little hesitant about directions. Here's a question, had they done as I had, chosen to go the slightly longer, scenic route, home. 

Then I looked around me and thought 'Why wouldn't you?' Given a choice between a traffic jam, or this, there is no choice in my mind, also allowing me to take some photos for 'Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages' Prompt 2, not the best photos I have taken, but still interesting.

The last photo is my favourite, in spite of the flower ( the supposed subject of the photo) being almost invisible at first sight, I love the perspective. What do you think?

What a Special Place

I sometimes have to remind myself about the special place I live in. At other times there is no need to remind myself because it is so clear from the sights around me that I just know. Cycling home from the station one day last week was one of the latter. I chose to come back on the scenic, but slightly longer, route and spotted these little friends as I was coming through one of the parks.

You have to join this class!

 


If you only take one on line class this year, make it this one. Shimelle is an inspiration and I know that this will be a great class. It starts on Monday, but you should be able to join at any time, so do!

I hope to see you all in the Class Forum.