First Night for Nathaniel

Today we had a busy breakfast as the hotel had 2 large groups (Americans and Germans). I had a bowl of cherries which were delicious and a cold egg with cold spinach. The coffee was undrinkable so Mr C actually parted with €1 for an espresso from the bar. We said goodbye to Steve who is stayed a few more days before getting a bus to Montenegro.

We drove to Lezhe to see Skanderbeg’s tomb which was under cover in a church ruin. His remains are not there - there a bronze of his face and some memorials to battles on the surrounding walls.

The road to Durrës was very busy - they are improving it and also making an electric railway to Tirana and the airport.

On arrival in Durrës Mr C went in the bus to the hotel as he wasn’t feeling great (upset stomach which he is prone to). The rest of us were walked to the seafront and instructed to get a light lunch and meet Tedi 45 minutes later for an “orientation tour” which was to the very disappointing ruins of what had been a Roman amphitheatre with a tiny bit of mosaic behind a fence and then we went to see a reconstructed Venetian tower.

The hotel is central and comfortable with aircon - it is sunny and 23 in the shade.

We have had good news about James. His latest assessment shows his reading age at a year above his chronological age. I hope that’s right and they are not just trying to sign him off special needs for starting middle school in September. His writing wasn’t reported on but seems poor though spelling has improved. I’m pleased as he tries so hard.

I’m posting for my own journal purposes the card #2 daughter is having sent to Nathaniel’s dressing room for his first night. Apparently #3 daughter didn’t have a good night as she’s nervous for him. He’s nervous too - I hope he relaxes and enjoys it once he starts. It’s a small theatre and the audience will be smaller than that he’s performed in front of for kids’ shows - but this is different, acting with only adults. He’s nervous of being on stage with just one other.

(Been out for group final meal, tips to driver and guide etc. #3 daughter says first act went well and she was chatting to director and writer in the interval and they were full of praise for Nathaniel. Fingers crossed for Act 2. )