Monday 17 December 2007

Trip to Birmingham: Grieg's Piano Concerto

At last the time had come to go to Birmingham for the long awaited concert.

We left Al and Dennis fitting the new utility room on Saturday and travelled up to Birmingham. It took us about 2.5 hours and we were very glad that we borrowed Dan's Tom Tom as it took us right to the car park in the middle of the city centre!

We had allowed plenty of time in case of delays of which there were none so we had about two and half hours to kill. We were really lucky that it was the big Christmas craft street market so we wandered around and bought a couple of presents. It was a lovely atmosphere with a big carol concert and a street ice rink. We didn't have a camera with us so I took a few photos on my phone to capture the atmosphere.



After we'd wandered round the market we went to find something to eat and had a lovely pizza. Then it was time to go to the Symphony Hall for the concert. As we walked to the hall, cars were streaming into the car parks so we were really glad that we'd got there early and found a space so easily.

The hall is very impressive and I was very excited when we took our seats. I was a bit like a child actually and couldn't stop fidgeting. We had fantastic seats right in the middle of the upper circle so the view and the sound were both amazing.

The Birmingham Symphony Hall (view from my seat)

The concert started with Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite which was really lovely. I hadn't heard it played live since a school trip to see the ballet in London.

Then the piece that I was waiting for: Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. The grand piano was wheeled centre stage and on came the man himself, Leif Ove Andsnes one of the finest players of his generation. His technique and musicianship are quite stunning. He isn't a showman as so many virtuoso soloists can and indeed love to be, instead he serves the music and the result is just wonderful; certainly to my ears.

As I've mentioned in a previous post, this was an amazing opportunity for me to hear my favourite piece of music played by my all time favourite pianist. I had goosebumps when the piece started and was amazed at how emotional I felt. The whole concerto is 30 minutes but it seemed more like 3 minutes. It was truly wonderful and I am so happy to have had the experience. The concert wound up with Elgar's Enigma Variations which was very stirring. A fantastic evening and one which I would love to repeat!

The journey home was good, just under 2.5 hours. We got back around midnight and the dogs were pleased to see us. They had a long walk first thing in the morning and then had Al and Dennis for company all afternoon until Dan and Mac picked them all up and took them back to their place for the evening. They dropped them back home around 10.30 pm. We learned that the wicked little Kizzle was rather over the top at Mac's; making a lot of noise and rabbit running round their sitting room. They put up with it until about 9.30 pm but then it was pod time!

Thursday 13 December 2007

Christmas Tree

We put our Christmas tree up and decorated it this evening. Here it is with a couple of extra decorations!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"


The Elephant Trick - Updated

We haven't filmed Kizzy's elephant trick since she was a tiny puppy so here she is again followed by a real elephant in action ... the Naughty Niamh!

Wednesday 12 December 2007

A lovely present

Today I received a lovely Christmas present from a person who trains regularly with me. Her dog is a rescue collie who hasn't been that easy to train but who is making huge progress using a combination of clicker and toy training. We have had some heartache with Pip and some huge highs but since we started training back in August the lows have subsided and the highs are the norm.

Anyway, Pip came for her last lesson before Christmas this afternoon and when they left her owner gave me a Christmas card and this lovely present which is a huge bag of treats and toys for my own dogs. I was quite taken aback as I didn't expect anything and it was such a nice thought. I can't believe how many toys and treats are in this bag. It's wonderful!

Morning Sunrise

Andy took some photos of the lovely sunrise we woke up to on Monday morning. We looked out of the kitchen window first thing when it was still quite dark and it was just beautiful so he took the photos from outside the back door.

I know it's supposed to be "red sky in the morning; shepherd's warning" but it turned out to be quite a nice day, so it isn't always true!









Fire place - final instalment

The fire place frenzy continued all of last week. Andy finished work at about 10.00 pm on Thursday evening which gave the fire place a day or so to dry out before he and Al fitted the wood burner.

The finished job with new york stone hearth.

Here is a picture of Al hard at work on Saturday (this was at 2.00 pm) and Bernadette and Dennis were due to arrive at about 7.00 pm! I really didn't think we'd be ready. Poor Al was up the chimney on a ladder on Saturday morning pushing the liner down the chimney. It was absolutely pouring with rain and he got soaked. I am very pleased with the end result, it's such an improvement on the previous fireplace methinks!

Al having a sleep in the fireplace!


Hurrah - the final touch my lovely wood burner in place!

It was nice to see Dennis and Bernadette and we had a good evening which finished rather late. Poor Dennis had to get up early to drive all the way to Stansted where he was booked on a photography course. I think he really enjoyed the course despite the late night. They bought us a really nice house warming present which is very apt for our household in more ways than one!

Isn't it lovely!

On Sunday morning I have to confess I had a very small headache from half a glass of red wine too many! Drinking Red Wine

I was booked on a training day but luckily it was an afternoon session so I was just about fit by then! I had a great time. Dennis McCaulay was the trainer and I thoroughly enjoyed the session; he is an excellent trainer with a great eye for detail and a great sense of humour. Niamh and I were exhausted at the end of the session and I can't wait to book on another of his courses.

It was quite a cold afternoon and it was lovely to get home and sit in front of the warm stove, I am just so pleased it's done in time for Christmas!