Too late

In June, I ordered a Danish-designed USB chargeable LED lamp -- perfect for evenings in the garden, where there is no electricity. I was told it would be delivered in early July. Two weeks later: "Oh, sorry, we've run out of stock, beginning of August now." Oh well, at least there would be half the summer left. Mid-August: nothing. I send a reminder. "Real soon now!" It arrived today. So not much use for our 4th of July! Luckily a couple of other people brought garden lights, including a brilliant inflatable plastic one, and some large fancy ones that caused general hilarity by flickering out within seconds of being lit. Anyway, it's very nice and may even get some use in the early days of autumn ... it's certainly a lot less hassle than the temperamental Tilley lamp.

Yesterday evening I drove to Albas for a concert of cello and piano: a Beethoven sonata, two short Déodat de Séverac pieces, and Schubert's Arpeggione. with an encore of Schubert's Ständchen. Lovely music. It's a small village with an amazingly active cultural association, which now has an antique Erard piano donated by its founder. Home along narrow country roads in gathering dusk. A happily cultural weekend!