The Cube

Last night we went to Birmingham again. This time to hear CBSO and the wonderful Andris Nelsons give a staged performance of Wagner's Lohengrin.

Despite a very nervous morning - would the travel be OK? would we be swamped by people who are interested in field-based ball games? would the Wonderspouse get a numb posterior sitting through hours of Wagner? would everyone get the correct amount of mustard on their sausage sandwiches? etc etc etc, we had an AMAZING time!

Before the gig we went to @5357311's house. He has the BEST greenhouse I've ever seen, with the most fabulous collection of spiny and non-spiny plants. He also has a wonderful, 4 valve flumpophone, which he allowed me to play, and a great collection of teas.

Thence to Symphony Hall for a fabulous performance. The Wonderspouse was happy because his favourite bassoon player was playing and he thought one of the female singers was rather fabulous. The picnic was a great success - custard tarts, pecan slices, raspberries and excellent cheese smeared on Pringles were a brilliant addition to the sausage sandwiches (thanks not only to @5357311 but also @orchid99), and the sense of drama throughout the performance was fabulous.

So, this morning, despite less sleep than usual for a weekend, and a day partially consumed with anxiety yesterday, I feel brilliant. Still basking in the glow of a wonderful evening.

I took several pictures inside the hall, but since I've blipped that before, here is something different. Just as we were going back in after the supper interval I noticed the sun glinting off this building (more info here) and couldn't resist taking a picture. It's taken on maximum optical zoom for my camera, through several layers of (fortunately clean) glass, so looks a bit hazy, but, for me, it captures a feeling of a wonderful evening.

I also came away with two wonderful gifts from two wonderful friends. Those gifts will feature in future blips (tomorrow and the day after unless anything really significant happens that I must blip on those days).

Sorry it's a bit of a long write up! Thanks for reading!