Today was concert day so I was running against the clock, but I had to go to Stratford this morning, and I was rattling around the house trying to gather keys, phone, glasses, etc. as quickly as possible so I could get going, when I happened to glance out of the kitchen window and saw this lovely male Great Spotted Woodpecker on the peanut feeder. For once the window was fairly clean, and though it was sprinkled with rain droplets from an earlier shower, they didn’t affect the images I took with the long lens. This was one of those right place, right time situations, and I’m thankful the bird turned up just when he did, and saved me having to search for a subject on a day when I really didn’t have time for photography.
I haven’t said too much in public about this season’s music, on the grounds that I think what happens in choir should stay in choir (unless it’s absolutely wonderful, obviously, when you can witter about it as much as you like) – but everyone who knows me also knows that I do not care for Vaughan Williams’ cantata Dona Nobis Pacem. In fact, people who know me well are probably sick to the back teeth by now of hearing just how much I don’t like it. So, it’s only fair that I should say that tonight’s concert went pretty well, and bits of it very well indeed. And more than that, I’ll admit that there were even a couple of sections I found myself enjoying as we were singing them. When R collected me afterwards (having been given a pass to spend the evening at home, because he likes Vaughan Williams even less than I do) I heard myself say, “I wish you’d been there, actually,” – though he replied “Oh good – that’s great!” without the slightest hint of regret that he hadn’t been.
Anyway. I’ve sung the Dona Nobis Pacem, which is something not all that many people can say. And I survived it, which is good (and at points during the last three months seemed unlikely) – and even better, I’ll never have to sing it again. Next season we’ll be doing Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, and the thought of that makes me happy.
