It's only two weeks since we flew back from Bequia but it seems like a lifetime away now. That's not to say that the benefits of the holiday have worn off - I think we're both as relaxed as we've ever been.
So it's been back to the old retirement routine of cramming as much as possible into every day while we still can.
We were delighted to see that Ipswich's Christchurch Mansion is holding an exhibition "Kiss And Tell" centred around Rodin's masterpiece - The Kiss. After six years in Suffolk it was our first visit to this museum and we were extremely impressed by both the mansion and "Kiss And Tell." It's running until 29th April. Catch it if you can.
We followed the exhibition with a film at Empire Cinema. Green Book is a very good movie based upon a true story about a New York Italian night club bouncer hired by a black American virtuoso pianist as chauffeur for his trip to the deep south of America. It is a road movie with a brilliant performance by Mahershali Ali as Dr Don Shirley. It's been criticised in some quarters as racist but I found its story of a vile racist going on a journey to redemption quite uplifting even if the truth was embellished to create a moving and entertaining film.
Last week was time for our second trip of 2019 to London and the National Theatre.
It was a glorious day and we enjoyed our walk from Liverpool St through The City and the South Bank.
The play was When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other starring Cate Blanchett. Tickets are like gold dust and we were lucky to come up trumps in the National Members' ballot. The play itself has been badly received by the critics The Times review opened with the following (not for the faint hearted) words "Cate Blanchett live on stage, wearing black stockings and a strap-on dildo, giving her husband one up the bum... and it’s still really tedious. That’s how bad this new Martin Crimp play is."
I have absolutely no idea at all what was going on but have to say that I found the whole avant garde production mesmerising.
We walked back along the same route and treated ourselves to a peak hour train journey to get home early for a Valentines' meal. The train was delayed and we were home no earlier than we would have been on a cheap off peak ticket.
Framlingham is looking good in the late winter sunshine and on Saturday we enjoyed a good lunch at The Crown with great company.
I was pleased to see a few of these in town.I've got one but, as we're set back off the road there's little point in putting it up (who are you calling a coward?).
On Sunday we had a fabulous circular walk from Walberswick to Southwold and back. I loved this newly re-thatched house in Walberswick. It's been beautifully done.
I've been back on eBay looking for hidden treasures. I found this very finely hand painted Georgian coffee cup for a few pounds. It won't make my fortune but it's a nice find.
In other news. We've just taken the car to Bury St Edmunds to have the alloy wheels refurbished before return to Mercedes when the payment plan expires next month. We were as careful as possible but it's virtually impossible nowadays with the state of our roads and the volume of traffic to drive for three years without kerbing the wheels. There was only minor damage to each but without the repairs we could be in for quite hefty penalties.
It's been a fabulous car and we would have ordered another but they don't make this model any more. So we've ordered something else. It should be with us in April.
