Fliss off to Japan, wow divine appointments and a wonderful home

Hi you wonderful people

I have had several requests to update the blog and UNBELIEVABLY it is 2013 so again it is a year since I wrote the last one. That is crazy but GUESS what I am listening to? Yes the Bach Collegium of Japan which I started 2012 listening to and in February I will be listening to them in Tokyo with my favourite counter tenor who I met for the first time two weeks ago. More later!!

So this comes with much love to all those people who still read it. I wonder how you all are and hope we can meet up in 2013. So what have I being doing in 2013? As many of you know I went to Burma in April and was there for the elections. I so nearly met Aung San S Kyi, gave a note and a few little pressies to one of her staff and I still believe one day I will meet her as I have already met her sister in law and her son. I can wait.  One of her officials at the NLD offices said " she had ambassadors to see and others" I said "look forget them they are all boring, forget Hillary C ( who I would also like to meet), forgot Barack O, I am here and I have waited 12 years". He was a real  sweetie and said that at any other time it would not have been a problem but.... I said" do not worry. I waited 12 years for my long green mac and I waited 12 years for my heart tea cosy ( he mentally thinks weirdo) so I will wait.""  For someone whose patience gene was missed out at birth there are some things in life I can wait for! 


However I did meet and got a photo with Fergal Keane a journalist I have admired for years. His report on Comic Relief ( Rwanda Hope 4) is still one of the best bits of film I have ever seen to the Gladiator Theme. It was great to meet him. I had to pinch myself that little old me REALLY was in Burma for the elections with a fabulous atmosphere. It was an absolute privilege although the world knows there is a long way to go and yet.....

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Jordi Saval the wonderful viola de gamba player as a friend and I went to this remarkable concert at St John's Smith Square - still one of my favourite venues.
I have been to some great  concerts this year and a couple of weeks ago I went to the wonderful hotel next to Kings Cross with soeone I hardly knew and then the wow Robin Blaze was in a concert at the Kings Place. I met him after and said the duet I in the 2nd half with Helen Jane ? WAS absolutely out of this world. I will see him again in Tokyo in Feb. What presence on stage and what a genuinely lovely guy.  Earlier in the year I met Philippe Herrewege who leads one of my favourite musical groups.

As I was in Saigon in 2011 I really felt the Lord say you will be back in Vietnam next year and will go to Hanoi. Sure enough in August I went out to Vietnam  going to Saigon, Hue and Hlong Bay. I met some fabulous people and got some brilliant photos as well as having an outfit made. The food is wondeful and the price remarkable. I had the best coffee I have EVER tasted at the ETHNIC Museum and will try and find it. It was one of those amazing moments, sunny day,  brill coffee and chocolate cake. Heaven!

Unfortunately I have had terrible problems with the right arm and have averaged 4 hours sleep a night for 16 months so exhausted. This week I managed 3 days of sleeping all the way through. I am getting treatment now from someone who dealt with my back about 15 years ago so that is interesting. She said another few sessions and will probably take 2 years in total maybe!

The Ritz friends and I met in London again and thanks to so many of you wonderful people who have come out to lunch, coffee, cake, films etc. It has been brilliant to spend time with you all and long may this continue as it really is a gift from God. as is my wonderful home. Everyone who comes loves it and so many have said about the peace on it. A guy came this evening for a charity and he walked in and said "wow what a peace in your home". I think so too and will always be eternally grateful for the Lord providing for me. I did an OPEN House in Oct to celebrate a year and surprised myself by catering for 25 at lunch as not my strong point. More came in the afternoon bringing cake and 60 could not make it which was not a bad thing as space limited. Thanks to all those who came. I loved doing it.

I have been to the Grove so many times this year for coffee and shortbread with so many people as it definately has the wow factor especially on a sunlit day. I had the most wonderful glass of white wine Good Hope Winery with a friend who has got engaged so wonderful to celebrate at the Stables with her. Only one other person has managed to choose wow wine ( red) at the Grove who I no longer see but still feel one day I will again.  I can wait. Time will tell.  I still think their lilac jumpers simply DO NOT WORK!!! I suggested deep purple waistcoats. I have to say the Grove at Christmas  was utterly magical.

Would like to recommend Marcia Willets who writes well. Also had wow divine appointment in my street with someone who is a nephew to someone famous linked with my wow place but will not say anymore.

As my armis beginning to ache I will stop now and add tomorrrow. Our girls have 1 GCSE paper tomorrow so I will go in on my day off. I will tell more on the Japan trip tomorrow and put photos on.

Lots of love for now and thanks to all you wonderful and much loved people who have continued to enrich my life beyond measure. You are complete gems.

Will add photos now if I can or they can wait. This is an old picture but photos playing up.
Every blessing for 2013 and much love x