National
"Open
Farm Sunday" was at the start of June, so we
decided to drop in on one of the local farms in Great
Missenden. Having lived in the area for a number of
years and walked across many footpaths and fields, we
thought it was about time we found out what was actually
grown locally. Noteable at the farm were two magnificent
machines, a large tractor and a combine harvester. Both
were still very clean, hence we guessed they must be
very new, or else they don't do as much work on the
farm as they gave us to believe.
PS This is not us in the photo!
The
O2
Wireless Festival is held in Hyde Park and Leeds
during June, and Malcolm went to the Hyde Park concert
with his older brother Graham. Faithless were headlining,
and very good they were too. Mark Ronson was excellent.
We also saw Badly Drawn Boy who was performing on the
XFM stage, and the Gotan Project, an eclectic fusion
of dance, latin rhythms and classical instruments.
For
Father's Day we took a trip to Bridget's parents in
Ipswich, and for once it was warm and sunny enough
for a visit to the seaside at Felixstowe without the
need for gloves, scarves, sheepskin coats, thermal
underwear and the like. Here Bridget's dad Andrew
shows the boys the highlights of Felixstowe beach.
We
also fitted in a visit to the PYO strawberry fields
at Trimley where they use an interesting technique
of raised beds, so you don't have to bend down. How
civilised can you get?
The
other reason for the Ipswich trip was that it was Lou's
50th birthday party. Lou has been one of Malcolm's friends
for many years, and was Best Man at our wedding. In
keeping with one of Lou's most cherished hobbies, many
of the presents were in some way booze-related. We hope
he see fit to consume them all in one sitting.
We
had a special guest at home this month, classical musician
and standup comedian Rainer
Hersch. Matthew is learning piano, and since he
heard our CD of Rainer had been listening to it every
night in bed. We've seen Rainer several times on stage,
and as he was coming to the Chesham
Comedy Festival we cheekily emailed him to invite
him over. Spendid sport that he is, he popped over for
a cup of tea and presented Matthew with a piece he had
written for him. The two played it on our piano there
and then. Later in the evening we went to his performance
of "All Classical Music Explained (ACME)",
which was well up to standard. Thanks for making Matthew's
day, Rainer.
Getting
to be a bit musical, this month. At the end of June
"The
O2" was officially opened to the public. On
the day before the public launch (a Bon Jovi gig) O2
staff and guests were treated to a party in the building,
and a concert featuring Tom Jone, Peter Kay and the
Kaiser Chiefs. It's a truly excellent venue, with a
massive arena, smaller club-type venue, 11-screen cinema
and bars and restaurants, all under cover in the old
"Millennium Dome". If you get the chance,
go.
