Birthday Treats

Saturday began [late] with a relaxed brunch. Bob enjoys a full English! We visited our neighbour, who is about to move away, to a Care Home close to her daughter. She's been in her bungalow for fifty years. And we've been friends for 14½ years. I shall miss her. She seems remarkably relaxed about getting rid of her stuff. 

We pottered about till 3pm, then we changed into smarter clothes and went off to Norwich. Tea and cake in the Cathedral Refectory. All very tasty [look, Kirsten, they've got teapots like ours!] Then a stroll round a few shops looking at Christmas displays. And then the big treat - a concert arranged as part of the Autumn Festival. 

Braimah Kanneh-Mason, playing the violin - accompanied by his sisters Jeneba [piano] and Mariatu. And Mum, Kadiatu came too. She gave a pre-concert interview to talk about her seven talented children. It was a varied, interesting programme [Here] 

Beforehand they served prosecco, elderflower cordial and fancy Boojabooja.vegan truffles. The venue was great [Blake Studio, part of Norwich School, adjacent to the Cathedral] The music was splendid. I particularly enjoyed the Vaughn Williams and Florence Price pieces. We had good seats near the front. 

We were home soon after ten. 

A splendid day all round

I cannot imagine coping with seven children*, particularly when they are flying all round the world to perform at Proms, and Royal Weddings, and international events. 

Kadiatu recently won an award for promoting music education for children. [*I guess it helps if you're extremely wealthy] The siblings seemed very close, and pleasant young people. Mum said that Aminata - child #6 - is hoping to follow an acting career, and not join the"family business" despite achieving Grade 8 on piano and violin, and doing loads of concerts/TV appearances etc already, aged just 18.

I hope things continue to go well for them. Musical siblings are an interesting phenomenon [Von Trapps, Osmonds, Jacksons, Lloyd Webbers, Nolans...] and some end up happier than others.