On Saturday morning, we winterised, then drove off to Barton-le-Clay for the Christmas Tree Festival. It wasn't a good gig for the Maidens; they were simply background music, singing from a minstrel gallery, with no amplification. It was a shame, a waste of their time and the church's money. But it was a good event otherwise.
Sunday morning found us back at Kantara. We'd had a phone call from Carl on the previous afternoon, saying that he was going to finish the repair on the Alde. It suited us to go back to Yelvertoft again - there's always something we forget! - so back we went, and left again within the hour, confident that the boat was ready for the winter alone.
On Monday, I went into London to meet Michelle to share a birthday treat with her. A friend had given her two tickets to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre, with a meal beforehand at nearby Da Scalzo restaurant. It was a great night out. The food was very good, and the musical just brilliant. I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. I've already booked tickets to take Grace next month.
The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long, he finds himself in dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class' exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson. With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson's zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy's potential.
Since then, it's been a busy week, with Christmas shopping and a lot of work around the house, tidying rooms for Christmas festivities, and visits to charity shops and the recycling centre; all part of a general, ongoing downsizing, with a view to moving into a smaller house some time in the future.
Today, we decorated the Christmas tree.