Whistle

I'm being taught the penny whistle by stealth.

I felt that working for a music organisation, I should probably make an attempt to learn something - and as a child I played the recorder (show me a seven year old that doesn't) and then the clarinet (badly, and not for long). So, I thought, I'll be crafty, there's only six notes (wrong) and its very easy to carry around (the only preconception that turned out to be true).

So, since about October, I've been learning to play the Whistle. For your exciting delectation, here is a photo of me doing it in Okehampton Carnival. I am in costume.

At this point I wasn't taking it very seriously, and marching through the streets squeaking didn't seem like such a bad idea.

I should say, I play as part of an open access group - in which anyone of any ability can bring an instrument to play in a band (we also have singers - but I dislike singing a lot). Its a speciality of  Wren (the organisation I work for), because we get professionally trained musicians and complete novices playing together, and its great fun, making music seems so natural and enjoyable.

So, From not taking it seriously I've progressed to practising for hours at a time. It turns out there are A LOT more than 6 notes, and I'm learning (slowly) to play some of them.

My very crafty and wonderful teacher, Paul, is guilty of the teaching by stealth. Every week he writes me a part that's a little harder than the week before, it may have a new note, or a difficult transition between notes and because I'm part of a band, I have to suck it and learn them.

What can I say, he's good. and if its anything to do with him, eventually, I will be too!

Just another part of my sometimes-hard-to-believe Devon life. And one I am sure you will enjoy a little snigger at!

Recently

I would like to admit to being a bad blogger because I live a full and varied life. In reality, I'm incredibly lazy.

However, recently, I have been doing lots of fun stuff. (see handy pocket-sized list below)

• Visiting Norwich for birthday parties, heart-to-hearts and wedding dress shopping. 
• Working in a school for a week - teaching children songs from their area. 
• A trip to London for more birthday celebrations (including an embroidered tabbard, fancy dress and great fun had in East London)
• Playing Skittles.
• Designing party invitations for my friend's 60th.
• Enjoying tremendously the company of some really interesting visitors to the house.
• Ironing.

Hmm...In my head there seemed to be more!

We had a leaving party for some board members at work, organised around a tremendous skittles match. Such fun! And we topped off the night with this cake, made by moi!

I've seen the new flats of loads of friends recently, and my, they have done well. Every single one is lovely, despite being completely different from one another. Its seems to be really nice in London that the living space - whilst expensive - is so varied. Certainly varied from the same ol' terrace-house-with-bedroom-instead-of-front-room we were all so used to in Norwich. There are roof-terraces with views across London, and courtyard gardens with giant Chess, huuge floorspace and gorgeous furniture. I'm decidedly jealous that they get all this in the big city with tube stops only minutes away. One Day, Smith, One day - my new mantra!

In Devon, it has started to feel like Spring.

Yesterday I walked out of the house with my coat over my arm, and didn't need to put it on before the short walk to my car. Miracle! After a delicious and friendly lunch, we went for a lovely long walk on the moor on Saturday, and it was bearable with just a jumper and scarf.

 This is the river Okement, running through the park at the bottom of the garden. The photo is old, but I'm excited about being able to enjoy this again after all the ice!


I love Spring. I think I forget how much until it comes around again each year - its something about the light that just makes me want to take a deep breath and then run around like a 5 year old high on sugar.

Another (more plain) cake I made for our first aid training day at work. The heart shaped tin I borrowed, but I think I HAVE to make something pink in it before I give it back! Its a flourless lemon and poppy seed cake, and has accompanying cupcakes, which were eaten before i had chance to photograph!

Laptop

I am a bad blogger, this there is no denying. However, the witty post I just composed on the subject has been lost.
I have the worst luck with computers. I've been through three laptops in the past three years, and this one, a fairly cheap one - bought fast after my beautiful widescreen Toshiba was mysteriously water damaged - seems to be giving up on me.
It overheats at 10 minute intervals. No matter where it is, and let me assure you, I wouldn't dare put it on my lap any more - "the sheer audacity" it would scream, before turning itself off. 
It has also been plagued with the recurring problem of a screen which likes to break - they say its the back-light - or they did the past three times it got fixed (lets say I'm getting my money's worth on the insurance policy.). Either way, its started again....so when its not turning itself off, the screen goes black until you push it and hit it in just the right place, at which point it comes back for a varying number of seconds before going off again. FUN!

However, this doesn't explain why I am a bad blogger. Or what I've been doing for the past month. That news, to follow.