Mark's New Car

Proud as punch wouldn't you say?! Mark is now the proud owner of his first car in the UK! After months of research he found a 2001, teal 1.9L manual transition, VW Golf. She is gorgeous and has amazing pick-up! I'm sure she will be well cared for by her new owner :P

Easter at Ampleforth

Instead of a traditional Easter with the family, I spent Triduum (Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday) with a group of singers I've been singing with since February, an order of Benedictine Monks and 600 or so strangers! The Arcadian Singers travel to Ampleforth, on the Yorkshire Moors annually to sing for all the services held in that four day period. I had envisioned a four day holiday in the seclusion of a monistary since I had been lead to believe we would have lots of free time... Needless to say that was not the case! We were singing from 9am until 10pm most days except at the Easter Vigal where we were singing until 1:30am.
Our accommodations where the dorm rooms that the resident students live in, which were wonderfully warm and bright, but we didn't end up spending much time in them! I certainly have to be thankful that I never had to suffer through boarding school food!!
On Saturday we had organized a long walk to a ruined abbey. We had had both rain and snow the day before which caused a little hesitation on account of the steep muddy inclines we would be walking up, but we ventured out regardless.
Since the walk was on higher hills, the snow that we had seen the day before had stayed unmelted and was screaming to become snow people! This was the larger of the two Alex, our conductor made. It was probably in the region of four feet tall.
After the making our snowman and having a snowball fight, we were all feeling relatively elated! Our next mission then became to fool all the sheep in the nearby field that we had food for them... It was SO funny to watch them running a baaing at us. The poor things!!The last part of our walk was to get a guided tour of Revaulx Abbey by one of our host Monks.It was awe inspiring! Especially when it began to snow huge chunky flakes of snow.
This is the choir, including myself after a two and a half hour adventure in the snowy, cold, Yorkshire wilderness!

Surprise visit

While vegetating healthily on a Monday morning/afternoon... the doorbell rang and my 94 year old Godmother bounded youthfully into the hallway! It had been such a beautiful morning at a balmy 14 degrees C so she decided to hop on her scooter and drive the 5 miles from the neighboring village. Frightening!! Thankfully, she made it safely to us and home again in one piece. While she was visiting she showed us all the various features she wanted to add to her scooter, starting with side mirrors and a flag.This week I began teaching music lessons to three local children. All of them different, but enthusiastic and musically inclined. The best part about teaching at that level is having to relearn my own musical basics. I'm really looking forward to continuing the experience!

Mark and I spent most of today on another adventure, this time we traveled south on the M40. OOOO BIG roads!! I think I've actually managed to locate the original Westmount. We walked along the river and saw a rowing team launching their boats, but the best part of the day was harassing a poor swan with my camera :PTomorrow I leave for four days in York. I'm singing with the Arcadian Singers for their annual Easter tour. Even though it will be very exciting to sing in a beautiful church, get a tour of a ruined abbey and see the countryside in York, I'm most looking forward to spending some time in the local gym and swimming pool!!

Adventure in the Cotswolds

On a slightly chilly, yet spring like day Mark and I went on an adventure into Gloucester. We traveled roads beginning with A and B and M , and circled many a roundabout... We stopped for lunch in a pub/diner like venue with a giant open ceiling and a fireplace. This is Mark, now transitioned into the Oxford "smart" professional look. Isn't he smashing?! In the last few days we've had an absolute explosion of spring flowers. The daffodils are amazing!! Especially in our garden and in the villages near by the budding flowers are awe inspiring! As a Canadian used to -40 and snow until April it's hard to believe the sound of birds chirping all day long and something different blooming everyday!

Birthday in Britain

Tuesday was yet another birthday for me, but this year I wasn't surrounded by ice and snow! Mum and Mark worked hard to put together homemade ice cream and Angel Food Cake :P What a great way to wake up to beater-liking duty for homemade ice cream!Mark was less than pleased at not getting the beater this time... Mum working extra hard! -Note the tongue... Mark and I spent the majority of the day in Oxford shopping and wandering around in the sunshine. It was a little brisk, but not too bad. We had a great pub supper at O'Neil's before heading off to another rehearsal... No rest for the wicked, but a great day non the less!!