midsummer day.

Spent an hour or so in the workshop this morning, then changed for an early lunch and off to St.Mary's for a lunchtime concert at 1.10 pm. given by our organist, and choirmistress. Michael started off by giving us an Australian Christmas suite by Robert Ampt. This he explained, wasn't as peculiar as it sounded (although actually the music did sound peculiar - but that's only my opinion) because although he was playing Christmas music at midsummer, in Australia Christmas IS at midsummer. Wasn't too certain about this piece of reasoning, but we sat through the organ recital, then Margaret sang - lots of lovely traditional stuff- O Waley, Waley, The foggy dew (this has to be sung at Suffolk concerts - I've sung it myself often- because it's a Suffolk folk song), then Drink to me only, a Cradle song, Purcell's Hark the echoing air, and others. Lovely stuff, and very well sung. Then they gave us a Piano and organ arrangement of Handel's organ concerto, which also went down well. The whole thing overran by about fifteen minutes but nobody minded that. After that we walked back with Hilary to her home, and had two good games of scrabble with her followed by a cup of tea and cherry scones. Got home about five- a very pleasant afternoon. Hilary wants to publish John's autobiography (her late husband) but some of his family isn't too keen. Can't think why not. He always told a good story. She dumped it on my lap before going off to make tea. Had a necessarily very quick flip through it and some lovely stuff in it. It brought dear old John's story telling gifts vividly back to life, and I can't think why his family are agin it being published. After supper took a short walk. Lovely midsummer evening. People out walking. Young lads along the river fishing, probably after pike I think. Home and soon to bed. Goodnight.