The major challenge now will be to effect a similar change on the back garden which, of
course, is more than three times the size.
Exactly two months ago everyone was commenting on the unseasonable warmth. Well, nature has hit back with a vengeance. There's been torrential rains, flooding in the Midlands (notably in flood plain areas where no-one would have built in the 19th Century but upon which we are all too happy to place major new executive developments these days) and now snow, fog and ice. The upshot is some very peculiar gardens. Some of the flowering season has come and gone in the blink of an eye. The magnolias were out and gone in a weekend. However, the cherry blossom has been around for nearly three weeks now and shows no signs of dropping. It is most bounteously beautiful.
In some ways, I'm glad of the bad weather. In conjunction with a head cold that my father picked up, it has meant that my parents have not been down to visit after Ross's departure which has given me a few days to myself. I've rearranged some things that would have been happening next week (like getting the carpets cleaned once more) and will now go into work next week rather than take it as holiday and use those holiday days later in the year.
I think I've got the front garden more or less sorted in the interim. The daffodils
all came up blind this year (I'm told that that is the gardening term for flowers
that do not flower) and the remedy is to dig them up, separate the tubers, feed the
ground and re-plant them. All of which has been accomplished. I've also taken out
much of the moss from the lawn and sown grass seed over the depleted areas so we'll
possibly have a real grass patch this summer. The rain has been very useful in
bedding the seed in, I must say. It's also turned my shirt and jeans into a quagmire.
But that's gardening for you.
The major challenge now will be to effect a similar change on the back garden which, of
course, is more than three times the size.
I also re-arranged an opera trip. So, last night I went to see Puccini's Il Trittico at the Coliseum. And, yes, it was a good night out. A genuine frisson at the end of Il Tabarro, a moistening of the eye at the end of Suor Angelica and ironic laughter at the end of Gianni Schicchi - the perfect response to the triptych of a melodrama, a sentimental drama and a comedy. Some fine performances right across the board, a well conducted account of the score and a production that was apt for each of the three pieces proved that this was a real company achievement.
I'd certainly go again - maybe not so soon as I would with the excellent Falstaff from the end of last year or the rather good Hoffmann of last week. All of which is looking good for the new regime at ENO. Three new productions in one year that pay re-visiting. I can't remember three from the previous three years. Oh possibly the Italian Girl and the Orpheus and Euridice if pushed. But I really would need very good reasons for going to the Tosca, Traviata or Carmen again and it comes to something when a company virtually persuades you to avoid the core repertoire.
Of course, the situation at ENO is just bliss when compared with the Royal Opera - a story of tyranny and corporate intrigue which you couldn't make up if you tried. Colin and I have become so disillusioned with the London end of the operation (just what is going on?) that we've used it as an excuse to go to the Edinburgh Festival in August to see this year's Verdi performances there. And do you know we will sit in reasonable stalls seats for less than we would have paid to sit in the Amphitheatre at Covent Garden. Makes you think.
Anyhow, must dash, luncheon appointment with Colin himself to natter about opera and troll round record shops. What a pleasantly queeny thing to do!