Christine's Blog

Oops. I should have thanked Mandy Wells for the referral to Black Lane. They were as good as she said they would be, and it was all arranged over the internet. 

Dear Reader This is an unexpected blog post, brought to you by that most august of institutions, McDonalds. You see, Gate C81 is right outside Maccas in the airport, so I can use their free wifi without needing to sample their product. And I can keep the small ones amused playing Akinator on the iPhones. We safely arrived at the airport via Black Lane transport, in a 5 seater Citroen, which managed all our luggage. And us. Mind you, we nearly ran the risk of a dangerous arrival when I tried to put myself in the driver's seat for the journey. Our wonderful driver did offer to let me drive, but I declined. This was a great relief to numbers Deux, Trois and Quartre. Yes, we have our own numbering system and it is in French. Slightly less ridiculous for four than when Lavinia and I numbered off for each leg of our tour in 2010 in the language of the country of the day. We only ever got to two.  I will try to load up some photos. These will be rather random but I hope you like the...

A couple of quick pics PS: You know your Dad is concerned about the lack of blog information when he "enrolls in Facebook" to check that you are still alive! Welcome, Dad!

Dear Reader Firstly I wish to reassure you that I am perfectly well and that the Choir’s tour of Paris was a resounding success. There are a number of very good reasons for this, but I do wish to apologise if I have concerned anyone with my lack of prose. Some of you may be relieved by the respite from my drivel while others will be disappointed that I am not planning to upload any photos at this stage, due to the cost of internet at the hotel where I am currently residing. There is a Gloucester chunk missing – I will add this later. Sorry for the non-sequential nature of the blog. I can report that our tour of Paris was in fact a resounding success. In short, here are the highlights... The Concert in Notre Dame was extremely well received and there are likely photos of us all over China and Japan. On the whole those who listened were deeply respectful and appreciative. And interested in photography. Most of them did not use their flash, thank goodness, as this is rather d...

This was a magical night, Dear Reader. Photos will be posted, for those of you without Facebook. Thanks for sharing the magic, Bella, Alana, David, Geoff, Andrew, James, Margot, Terri, Philip and Shauna. Roller skating, snakes in water tanks, ping pong balls and feather boas will never be the same. What a can-can!! Enough said. C 

Alana found this on a random street in Paris

After our busy play day in Bristol we once again packed our bags, loaded the coach and headed off again. Our next stop was to be Gloucester, but we were able spend a half day in Bath first. Another group activity organised by the Director of Fun was a tour of the Roman Baths. Leonie was lamenting the advent of the Digital Guide – where you walk around listening to an electronic device. This means less conversation between participants and a lack of the interesting yarns provided by the guides who are usually passionate volunteers.  Imagine our delight when we heard a gentleman call from the bottom level to let us know that there would be a guided tour commencing shortly, if we would make our way down to him. That was easier said than done, as the building is quite a rabbit warren. We found our way down and joined in with the tour, along with a number of our Choral colleagues. What I remember most is the following: Romans cleansed themselves before getting in the communal p...

Creativity was at the fore the other evening, at the Mill on Exe, which was in Exeter (Thanks, Captain Obvious). While some of us were busy eating our dinner, sampling international wines and beers and generally being convivial, the table of Lay Clerks behind us were busy composing The People’s Psalm. Each quarter was set by a different Lay Clerk. In order, Alana, Robin, Andrew and James.  Manuscript was inked by Terri and Coby provided the key signatures. They sang it, too, to check that it works. Here is the fruit of their labours. Yep. They’re nerds. And we love them for it. Cxxx

We are now successfully loaded onto the Eurostar and Wee Alice and I have debunked to another cabin as ours appeared full. She seems happier here.  Chrissie: Is that right Alice?  Alice: YES I thought I would take the opportunity to tell you about some of the quirks we have found in England. Lincoln Cathedral has a role for the Eucharist called the Choir Nanny. This can be a man or a woman, and is someone dressed as a server who brings the choir into church and takes it to communion. ys Choirs in Oxford Cathedral, in the bastion of academia, do not wear academic hoods to Evensong Westminster Abbey does not allow photography, neither does Durham. Gloucester does, but at a cost of three pounds.However, Gloucester has a recommended donation (5 pounds) while Westminster has a compulsory charge of 18 pounds. Unless you are singing the service, or attending one.  Herbert Howells was not a tall man. He was 5'2", always immaculately dressed, with sharpened pencils line...

You could be forgiven, Dear Reader, for thinking that all we do on tour is rehearse, sing and go to Church. I think that this may well be how some of the choristers and our families may also feel. It is the point, though. That is why we have come. But every now and again we have an organised activity on a play day, and this week's was a visit to the ss Great Britain, Despite growing up with the sea outside my bedroom I would not have described myself as a nautical person. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of messing about on boats once again on this tour.  The ss Great Britain has been lovingly restored after being scuttled off the Falkland Islands. It had a number of roles over the years in trade and immigration. The English cricket team travelled to Australia on her. More importantly, the Great Great Great Grandmother and Grandfather of Sophie and Alice Crompton traveled to Australia on her. Here is the evidence.  This is not...