Party

Tonight we had a really lovely time at the festival Christmas celebration for the music festival I volunteer for. It was in a beautiful stately home. The champagne was flowing (if only I wasn't driving), the canapes were generous and the music was beautiful. As one of the festival photographers I was nudged into bringing my camera - and moving chairs, and pouring champagne etc etc. But it was still a glorious evening, including a second round of music in the grand staircase with incredible Erard piano. 

We learnt tonight that in the 1870s, this piano was the most expensive Erard, costing £250. Queen Victoria had one that cost £130. But the owners of the home at the time wanted theirs to be even fancier so paid to have it made ornate and "blingy" - taking its cost to £700!  Katie enjoyed sitting on the stairs to watch the final two festive numbers before investigating the canapes. She discovered she likes proscuitto with melon. She does not pink beef. She likes beetroot crackers. She does not like honey glazed sausages. 

Katie was quite stunned to have a couple of people say "ohhh I know who you are" when they'd questioned her as to who she is/whether she plays an instrument. It turns out her little reputation has spread a bit, due to our having asked almost every local organisation for money for her bassoon! 

The fabulous evening followed a special time with friends from church as it was our turn to hand over the travelling nativity. They treated us to freshly baked carrot cake cupcakes and a cup of tea. 

Katie fell asleep in the car on the way home from the concert party. As well as a five minute snooze during it!