Skip to main content

Intermezzo

I've just returned from Santa Maria Maggiore with the seven cases and Alison. This is the last time that we will have to do the trip to a venue with the robe cases *sighs with desperate relief*. We were well received by the small audience (over and above the Tag Alongs, who have been very, very supportive in coming to listen to us rather than see sights/shop etc). The audience may have changed over the course of the concert, as people came and went, but there were three priests who stayed for the duration, one Fr Samuel from the USA and another who may have been English from the sound of his English and Italian introductions to us. Fr Samuel and the crew at Santa Maria were very helpful in getting us in and out of the venue with all the cases.

But I have no photos. I was just too busy. I will see if there is anyone else who can give me a couple to upload.

This afternoon we are meeting at 3pm to get robed at the hotel, then walk to the Vatican in full dress, as it is just too hard to take the cases/taxis etc into the Vatican. I think it is about at 15 minute walk so we will create quite a sight as we process there.

After the service we have our final dinner. I've tweaked my two sonnets for the competition, and handwritten them. I'm hoping that they will accept the late entry as I have been rather busy, and Ed A-C was in no fit state to receive them last night. One is called "Ode to the Crates" and retells the story of the missing music.

Better go and get ready for the Vatican. Will give your regards, Dear Reader to il Papa if I see him.

Cxxx

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Big One, St Paul’s

  Dear Reader Today was the Big Event of tour. St Paul’s Cathedral, London. If you are observant, you will notice my absence from the photo above, along with several of my colleagues. Sadly, this happened.  After nearly four years and six vaccinations I finally succumbed to the dreaded Covid. At the worst possible time. My multiple vax status has meant I only feel a bit rotten, like a cold, but I do feel sad to have missed the day. And to miss Windsor tomorrow. I was grateful for the considered medical advice provided by Dr Ritesh, father of one of the trebles, who also updated my supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen.  So I am relying on others for the report about this special day.  The good bits started with four of the young Lay Clerks heading to St Paul’s for singing lessons with my friend Patrick Craig, who is an Alto Lay Vicar at St Paul. In have yet to hear from Nicholas, Marco, Charlie or James, but Patrick was very complimentary about their singing. This is w...

Intrepid Blogging

Dear Reader I have ventured out of the Premier Inn and into the heart of Coventry. A quick purchase of a black jumper at Marks and Spencer (a habit of mine when in the UK) and a bath bomb from Lush for later tonight, along with lots of walking on my own led me here to the Golden Cross, a beautiful old pub which specialises in catering for coeliacs. Everything on the menu is suitable. It was the outside that drew me in. While I was hoping for a wood fire I have had to settle for an armchair next to the heater. I’m imbibing of a wine which has travelled further than me, from New Zealand, and waiting for my plum and apple oat crumble, also gluten free.  Which just arrived. You see, Dear Reader, we have been fed so well that I thought today I would follow up breakfast with dinner. However, coming in here for a libation meant I read their menu, and the crumble spoke to me. Very loudly. In about an hour the Lay Clerks will gather at the liturgical West Door (like us...

Coffee, Cath's, Guildford, Jamie's, Cocktails and "Tidying Up"

So now you know from the title, Dear Reader, what occurred today. Perhaps I need not write more. Perhaps I should not write more. But, Dear Reader, I will. Perhaps I will start with the end and end with the beginning... The Young Ones have just left Room 112 (my room) where they very kindly offered to help Alice and me finish off the duty free vodka and gin we bought in KL some 9 days ago. Slack work, Team. There are remnants, so the Young Ones are cordially invited back to whatever room I am allocated in Chichester tomorrow to continue their assistance in Tidying Up the duty free. What was said in Tidy Up remains in Tidy Up, and you, Dear Reader, should be grateful for this. As well as those whose reputations might be sullied by Tidy Up. Continuing our journey back in time, I will take you, Dear Reader, back to TGIF Guildford*. It stands for Thank God Its Friday. Except on their wall it says TGI FRiDAYS, with the plural marker. (Note to self: Turn off inner Grammar Pedant af...