Am writing this at shortly after 5am, because I can’t sleep. So much going on recently, and now Dot’s computer has run out of memory; so she can’t use it. I’ve been trying to work out how to solve the problem, but we may have to go to the Apple store later. This after another hectic weekend, and a busy couple of days coming up.
On Thursday last week I went up to Hungate to see a performance by Paston students of their self-written, self-produced take on the early Paston Letters. Rob and Penny were there, as was Matt. It was really very well done, with plenty of song and dance, and not too long. Pitifully small audience, though.
On Saturday we eventually found Barningham Hall, which is not in Barningham but Matlaske. Following verbal directions from Rob, we went straight to the right entrance, but it was unmarked and looked so unlikely that we rejected it, but we eventually came back, and gave it a shot. Needless to say, it was right.
The Hall, owned by the Courtaulds, is the only Paston house still standing in its original form. It was built by Edward in 1612. We were there for a Musical Celebration by the Cantilena Choir in the nearby Barningham Winter church, to mark its restoration. Beforehand we had drinks and nibbles in the “sun” outside the hall, but although the front of the hall was bright and warm, the side where we gathered was in shade and quite breezy. Still, a nice experience. Rob, Penny and and Peter were there. We sat in the gallery in the church.
The next day we went to church and then in the afternoon to North Walsham, where Dot’s “aunt” Sheila was celebrating her 90th birthday with a rather nice afternoon tea at the Roman Catholic church hall. Obviously we knew very few people there except Sheila herself and her daughters Teresa (who organised it) and Bridget, but we had a good time. Even the singsong at the end wasn’t too bad, and included The Fields of Athenry.
We left a bit early to drive to Blakeney, where we picked up a shirt I had left at the hotel and had an ice cream. Then we returned to North Walsham for an evening concert at the church, where we were VIP guests (again with Rob, Penny and Peter). This was a Paston-themed concert by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, who I have to say were absolutely brilliant. It featured a new pocket oratorio (Agnes) by a Norfolk composer, Sarah Rodgers. Soprano Julia Doyle was accompanied by the church choir, and that was really good too. Plenty of Handel, a bit of Mozart and Purcell, and some other music. I have rarely enjoyed a concert more.
Yesterday the Mazda 3 went in for a service (no problem), and Dot took me into town to buy a couple of pairs of trousers. Bus both ways, because it was pretty hot, and my knee was giving me a bit of trouble. No idea what’s caused it. In the evening we had a PCC meeting, preceded by meeting our new vicar, Sarah Quantrill, who seems very pleasant. The meeting itself was well chaired by Sue Pittam-Smith but largely concerned such tedious matters as safeguarding , solar panels and parish shares. I guess that’s what PCCs are all about.