Well, I thought I would create a blog-type thing on me website. So much stuff to tell, so little time during the day, and much ability to
write at night at home. Here we go! I'll add photos too. It's Split up into dates. Below, June 20th, 21st & 22nd.
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Day 1
Arrival Day Pu-pu platter...hmm...English Food.
Wednesday June 20th
Planned Schedule of the day:
Arrival Heathrow 11:35am
Retrieval of Luggage and Car by 1pm
Up in Norwich by 4pm
Evensong 4:45-6:15
6:15 Pub Jonny
8pm - Go to meet Jonathan (the person with whom I am staying)
It didn't quite work out that well. My plane was delayed at Dulles airport. I didn't get to the UK until 2:30pm. This was very annoying
as I was due in the UK at 11:35am.
I like to speed, so I got into the car, and made my way up to Norwich. Of course, I got lost - I started down the wrong way on the
M25, got off at another exit, and ended up at Windsor. A bloody pain in the arse!! I managed to get back on track, but it wasn't until
2:45 that I was back on track for Norwich.
Now, it is supposed to take 3 hours to get to Norwich. Let's just say that I got there by 4:50, bang on the dot! Not bad! Unfortunately,
I had missed the call of evensong by 5 minutes, and didn't want to disturb the service...so I didn't. Instead, I stayed and listened to
the service. It was...OK. Compared to what I am used to at the Washington National Cathedral in DC, USA, the sound was a but pale
and thin. I wanted a bit more body and vibrato singing. They were far from it - the boys sounded...pretty good, but the men, who
were, granted, a bit thin on the numbers (two altos, two tenors and two basses), needed a little more gin! I'll be singing evensong
with them tomorrow.
One thing that did catch my attention, was the FUN they were having. After certain mistakes, or odd notes from either the ATB
section, one or more of the men would shake the stalls or wiggle their finger on the choirstall. A common, British Choir thing - and
ever such a pleasure to see again. It took me years to get the Americans to do the same. Ah - fond memories....ever so nice to be
back.
I got to Jonathan's house around 7pm. We chatted briefly...went out to dinner in Norwich, then I went off to bed after emails, around
11pm, UK time.
2nd day
A pleasant beginning....
Thursday June 21st
Well - Today was certainly very pleasant. I set my three clock alarms for 8:30am, 9:30am, and 10am. They were very loud and
successfully roused me for the day. Unfortunately, I fell back down on the bed, and went back to sleep. I awoke at 12:30pm, ready
for the day.
Norwich is such a quaint little city -
lovely pebbled roads...old houses.
...and remember the Harry Potter
Cloisters - they were in Norwich.
Here are some photos.
After my shower, I went downstairs for LUNCH (!!) and was greeted by a multitude of Jonathan's friends, who were all there for a
luncheon party, to which I was invited. We had salmon, potatoes, beans and salad, followed by Mixed fruit and cream. Very tasty! It
was a very pleasant start to the day.
Around 2:30pm, I headed into Norwich city to run some chores. I parked the
rental car on the Close of Norwich Cathedral and walked into town. First, I
went off to the bank to try and sort out some of my financial banking issues - I Baaaaa...
didn't get very far - it appears my bank card has been inactive for so long that
they are unable to re-activate it. Pain in the arse - I'll work on the in the next few
days. Second, I went to try and fix my watch - after bringing it all the way from
the USA, I was told that it would take 6 weeks to fix, and that they couldn't send
it onto me in the US. So, I'll be back in two weeks, and will have to spend that
$65 on the repair. Oh well. There were some FUN street signed in Norwich too -
as you can see!
Finally, I went shopping for one of my Godsons, Connor - I bought him a RAF Naaa......
badge, Beret and Insignias. He will like those - he's a bit of a military junkie.
They won't be his last gifts, but it's a start.
At 4:30pm, I traversed my way back across town back to the Cathedral for evensong. It was a Men's Voices service. We sang
some responses by Tallis, Magnificat fauxbourdon also by Tallis, the Nunc Dimitis by Victoria. The Anthem, by Bourgeois (or some
French guy), was ... interesting. The T & B sang the Plainsong psalm, while the altos sat....as it should be.
After dinner, I went to a pub called "The Adam & Eve", the typical pub for all the layclerks of the Cathedral, also one of the regular
hang outs. I drank one pint of Theakston's "Old Peculiar". Before I left the UK, it was my favourite bitter beer. It was served warm,
and tasted wonderful So nice to be back...
After drinks and catching up with interesting conversation, I stayed and had dinner with one of the Choral Scholars, who goes to
UEA, and we chatted about the US. He was thinking about jaunting over here in a few months.
Around 9pm, I headed over to see my old friends, the "Fentons". I knew them from when I was at UEA myself and a Choral Scholar.
They helped me out as a poor starving student, by feeding me, in exchange for transporting their kids too and from choir during the
week....as far as I was concerned, it was a great deal. Back then, I lived just round the corner from them, and got to know the family
quite well. George, now 14 was taller than me! Hah! Dominic, also taller than me, at aged 16. Tom was away at university, and Kate,
off in Thailand. It was nice to catch up with them. I stayed until 11pm, then headed off round the corner, home to bed...or rather,
here to write.
Until my next posting....
Tarrah!
3rd day
Travelling....Present time 5:35pm
Friday June 22nd
God I hate travelling. Actually, I don't hate it, I just hate travelling with LUGGAGE! The time right now is 5:35pm. I left Norwich at
10:30am with the car rental. Now, remembering two days ago, it took me only 2 hours to get from London to Norwich. I was hoping
for something similar. But, OH NO....I was not so lucky on my way back down. Leaving at 10:30am, I didn't arrive at the Car Rental
Drop-Off Location at Heathrow Airport until 2:15pm. 3 hours and 45 minutes it took to drive down from Norwich to London. HAH! To
say I was pissed off would have been an understatement.
I then had to take a shuttle bus back to the airport, jump on the underground, and rush to Waterloo Station. I arrived at Waterloo at
4pm - the train for Portsmouth left dot on 4pm - so, I missed that! Oh Happy day! I caught the next train at 4:30, and here I am now,
on a train, sitting at the table, writing down my thoughts....I left Norwich at 10:30am. I've now been travelling for over 7 hours.
Hmm...yes, I'm loving my trip thus far.
--
Other thoughts:
I probably should have rented the car for the week and taken it down to Portsmouth. It would have been a lot easier. I just received
a call on my phone from an old friend from Hurstpierpoint College, the school I was at from age 13-18, Richard "Sumo" Simms. He
is in Portsmouth, and I am hoping to meet with him for a drink either tonight or tomorrow.
Incidentally, my UK phone number, should you wish to contact me, is: 07884 480-453.
Another thing to mention - as of right now, I prefer the US. It's cheaper...and easier. The Local Transportation is much easier to
follow, and they are far more accommodating to tourists...which is what I am right now. I'm sure after I eat something, and relax for
more than 10 minutes, and can put away my luggage - perhaps then, will I change my mind. We will see.
When I arrive in Pompey, (as it is locally named), I'll be heading straight over to the cathedral. As I was delayed, Nick was unable to
meet me - he has to sing evensong. So, I will go there, watch the service, then head off to his house afterwards. I will write later
about my evening, but here are some photos I took today. Jonathan's dungy yucky kitchen, a three-wheeled car, and my rental car -
tiny. Oh yes, that reminds me. I filled up my tank of gas for the car. It cost me 37 pounds sterling, equivalent to $85 for a 3/4 tank fill
up. Bloody outrageous!!!!! I also got a pay as you go Sim card for my phone....that cost me 35 pounds sterling! Also, translating to
over $70 - almost used up for not even 10 minutes chatting, and a couple text messages. This country is too bloody expensive...
I'm having a bad day...that's all. I'm sure it will improve!
A 3-
wheeled
car
My Rental
Friday Evening, June 22nd
11:20pm Jonathan's Kitchen
Nick Pepin's Appartment/Flat/Condo
Well, the evening got a little better from when I wrote earlier. When I arrived in Portsmouth, shortly after I wrote my last excerpt, I
jumped in a taxi and headed off to the Portsmouth Cathedral. Evensong was taking place when I arrived. I'll post some photos at
the end of this page, as well as an audio clip of an anthem they were singing.
Evensong finished around 7pm, and I was met by Nick and introduced to the organist. We then all went to the choir rehearsal room
and sang a rehearsal for tomorrow (I'm singing a service at 12pm tomorrow), and then we all went off to the pub. More on pubs
later, as I'm running out of page space.
8pm to 10pm, Nick and I had a two hour rehearsal in the cathedral for out twilight concert which will be held on Sunday at 9:30pm.
The rehearsal went very well - we'll next sing together for the concert.
After the rehearsal, we were driven by the director, in his American-built PT-Cruiser, to Nick's flat for the evening. Speaking of his
place. It's a bit bare! No TV!!!!!! No internet!! No Dishwasher! Tiny bedrooms! Tiny living room...mini kitchen! A PINK Bathroom -
interesting.... So, I'll be living it down for a while. I'll post some photos at the end.
Until tomorrow! Nick in his Kitchen Nick's
Bathroom
Living Room
My sleeping area
The Chamber Organ and Flutist.
