Life goes on.

The long gap between posts is just that, life goes on and the new different and exciting is not a feature of the everyday. I have been battling with mice and slugs eating my seedlings but have at last got some plants to plant.

Today I have been on this adventure in France technically 1 year. It has had it ups and downs and after my last break I return with my “eyes wide open” and a clearer understanding of the challenges and the expectations of all concerned.

But, last week I was in the UK, having an MOT: Doctor, Dentist and Optician. I don't have Lymes disease (but do have a lot of muscle aches and similar symptoms – just wear and tear), I do have gum disease (now under control with a multitude of interdental brushes) and my eyes are fine but have the very first signs of cateracts (they will take years to develop).

Need to not work quite so hard at the tough stuff; less tree felling and maybe more work cooking and gardening!

But then the main reason for the return was a trip to Istanbul with Andy. Much needed and hugely enjoyable. Andy had found a small hotel within spitting distance of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and yet was completely quiet. We arrived on the first day of a three day Eid holiday, so along with tourists we had to contend with everybody out and about. We soon realised that we need to be up and out early and to take it easier in the mid-day and afternoon heat. But had a great time. As you can see.

Terrific food, terrific weather ( a bit too hot?) and lovely people.

Highlights, Haya Sofia and the Dolmahace Palace (absolutely amazing especially the 4.5 ton chandelier manufactured in Birmingham) . Trip on the Bosphorus strait local boat for 2 Euros for 90 minutes as opposed to tourist boat same route 30 Euros.

The Blue mosque resembled was overcrowded and under renovation (actually EVERYWHERE we visited was under renovation!)

Also visited the amazing underground water cistern, the Ecumenical Patriarchate Cathedral of St George, the Topkapi Palace (not impressed) and local bazaar.

Great transport system, especially as the tram stopped 20 metres from the hotel. Would like to go back off season. Amazingly both Andy and I returned to the UK with about 40% of our spending money as everything was so reasonable.

Turkish food and wine is really really good, varied and full of taste and again so reasonable.

Here is a selection of photos.

view from hotel rooftop bar

The Birmingham Manufactured 4.5 ton chandelier! This is one of the most amazing rooms I have ever seen.

Into the light of rediscovery ..... January 1. 2019.

Start of year …… Now that I “listen to” rather than “do” music, I am, as I have previously mentioned, on a voyage of discovery of music that is new to me. I am catching up on composers that I wanted to know more about and just haven't had the time to listen to and explore. With cutbacks in arts funding, orchestras play it safe and so play music that they know will fill the hall rather than music that needs to be heard. As a result we are knee deep in the “greats” and composers who have/had important things to say are left in the dark. We all lose out. 

Thankfully the internet has given access to music and scores so that rediscovery of forgotten masterpieces is available to all. But, as the saying goes, “you don't know what you don't know” so we might not know that the symphonies of composer x and the equal (and sometimes better) than contemporaneous composer y, but y had a better or more famous patron, or access to funding, or was in the UK and not trying to make a living in a developing country.

Anyway, this is a long winded way of saying that, as in life, sometimes the unexpected, the road less travelled or the riskier option can provide amazing riches and insights. Curiosity seems to be less in fashion, but for me, having time to listen means having time to be curious. Because of my musical training I can listen to a Beethoven Symphony whenever I want, because it is in my music memory and I just have to recall it and listen to it in my head, it is there if I need it. But how much nicer to discover something new and challenging and different. A new voice, a rediscovered but neglected masterpiece. And without the necessity of having to follow critical views past and present. One damning review and an amazing work of art, or book, or piece of music is cast into outer darkness sometime hardly ever to see the light of day again.

So I am looking forward to bringing works back into my own personal light by exploring the byways rather than the highways. Such a revelation.

On Sunday I heard a snippet of a piece of music and yesterday I tracked it down via you tube for the music and another site (IMSLP) for the orchestral score and today I have listened to a symphony which probably NEVER gets an outing in the concert hall, but is astounding music. Sir Arnold Bax: Third Symphony. And tomorrow I will probably find another and another and another ……. so much better than hearing yet another tired performance of Beethoven 5!

I know that this is just a metaphor for life, and a metaphor for my 2019. Yours too? Rediscover those discarded hobbies, interests and gifts. Search out the less familiar, take a few risks and who knows what riches are there to be discovered afresh .

What unexpected delights await you?

Happy New Year.