On Thursday we were invited by friends to join them for a meal at The Station. We took them there a few weeks ago and were very impressed and we were impressed again as we enjoyed another excellent dinner. The food is of a really high standard and reasonably priced. I enjoyed a fabulous asparagus starter and calves' liver main course and Marion said that her hummus starter and asparagus tart main were both delicious. Our friends were equally happy with their food. We finished early so headed back to our house where we (not Marion mind) enjoyed rather more wine than is sensible for a Thursday night with an exercise class booked for 8 the next morning. A good night though.
On Friday we walked down to The Lemon Tree as they were advertising a Tapas and Blues night. We were entertained by The Blue Notes, a trio of very young men playing keyboards, trumpet and drums who, once they got into their stride and overcame their nerves played a very competent medley of blues/jazz. We enjoyed the music and the simple and tasty English tapas.
On Saturday afternoon it was time to put on our glad rags and make the short journey to Crows Hall near Debenham for the annual charity opera put on by the hall's owner Caroline Spurrier in her fabulous old barn. We rarely go to functions where formal dress is worn now that we are retired. I used to loathe them when we were working as they were always work related but when you are there by choice it's nice to get dressed up once in a while. For Marion it was a case of 'will it won't it?' all morning (rain that is). Optimist me suggested it wouldn't so Marion dressed for summer.
I was wrong.
So instead of enjoying our champagne in the sunshine in the moated hall's glorious gardens it was a case of finding as much shelter as we could before heading into the barn to hear the London Festival Opera's first half performance of an abridged Tosca.
The singing was wonderful and after, more fizz and canapés during the interval, we sat down to a second half of popular arias and songs from some twentieth century musicals. We thoroughly enjoyed the event despite the inclement weather. Perhaps next year the sun might shine on us and we can take advantage of Caroline's offer for the opera goers to enjoy a picnic in her lovely gardens after the event.
There was more food and music on offer today as we went to a community tea party in the college grounds. The party was arranged by the school to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its establishment.
This time the weather was kinder and although the sun didn't shine, the rain held off and we enjoyed tea, sandwiches, cakes and strawberries whilst listening to some great singing and music from college students.
Over five hundred people from the local community turned up to enjoy the event and to see Headmaster Paul Taylor cut a celebratory memorial cake.
It was a very enjoyable afternoon against the backdrop of our fabulous castle and the sounds of St Michael's bells which tolled non-stop in celebration of the day from two o'clock until the end of the event at five.
We are now looking forward to our good friend Jane's visit. We will be picking her up in Norwich tomorrow and hope that she enjoys her stay.
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