Glorious Midsummer (no murders)

No need for Inspector Barnaby in leafy middle England last night, as we performed in the beautiful Chapel at Sarsden House, Oxfordshire, as part of the Dean and Chadlington Festival...

We were invited by the Festival director, guitarist, Craig Ogden, who we have known for several years. Delighted with the invite; what a splendid chap he is!
You may have noticed his new CD is already top of the Classical Charts...

We were very well looked after at Lord and Lady Chadlington's house... with its quite stunning gardens; many of our audience for the evening were enjoying tea and cakes there when we arrived (this was part of their ticket:- glorious).

and

oh, and bee heaven...

So having eaten like royalty... (Mike helped get some things out of the oven...)

...it was off to Sarsden House... with more spectacular and wonderful views...

The Festival puts on the same concert twice on these evenings, as they are so popular, and it was no different for us.... two packed houses of enthusiastic and excellent jolliness...

Splendid to have Carole Sterckx & Tim Newton sharing the evening with us too...

Excellent to chat to so many of the audience after the shows.

A thoroughly enjoyable time, and such a shame to have to leave... but as we could get to our own beds.... well, why not!?

The Chadlington's dogs were also very welcoming...

...and then one fell in love with Carole...

...but eventually...

Trip away,

Make no stay,

Meet me all by break of day...

Waterloo commemorations in Brussels

A delightful early evening at the British Embassy in Brussels to celebrate
Project Hougoumont...
...as part of the commemorations of the Battle of Waterloo (200 years ago, in case there was any doubt)

The Embassy sits with many others on the park by the Royal Palace in central Brussels...
...the beautifully appointed rooms were full of many who had supported the project over the last few years, including The Duke of Wellington (the present one!) & Peter Snow.

The guests were awaiting both the Waterloo Ball last night (sadly we were not invited!); and the arrival of Prince Charles and Camilla today to add to the glory of the hour.

Very elegant it was; dress uniforms & wonderful evening wear.
The guests were very gracious and listened to us with care.

The Ambassador, Alison Rose and her staff were fantastically helpful and charming and we had an excellent evening.
Splendid food, British Sparkling wine (oh yes) & super Waterloo beer (brewed in Waterloo - marvellous).