North West coast, south of Morecambe, north of Liverpool. I grew up not very far from there. Slightly further down the coast is Formby, famous for a) sand dunes and b) red squirrels. We quite often used to go out for the day to feed the squirrels. In fact, until I went away to university (in Birmingham) I'm not sure I'd ever seen a grey squirrel. Overrun with the things where I live now, there's no point planting any bulbs because the squirrels will have them way before there's a chance of them flowering.

Becoming a prodigy! in ABRSM forum posts, anyway

Ooooohhhhh, a party.

Congratulations - a prodigious effort! 1001 = 7 x 11 x 13; the product of three consecutive prime numbers!

I didn't see any squirrels! We actually have loads of them near my house in Manchester. Grey ones though.

again, I love maths!

What a great playday! Great to hear some "new" forumites play at standards I can only aspire to

Benjy and Invidia are amazing!

Good to hear Moley again, too! That wedding day piece is great!

Oh yes. Definitely.

I can't say what has made me happy today, since it is To Be Kept Quiet (for understandable reasons).

And once I can say what it is, most people will think it is in fact a jolly sad thing.

And I suppose it is a jolly sad thing, but sometimes hard decisions have to be made, and I think the decision that has been made is the right one and the people concerned have all my support (and know that they do). So what has made me happy is the decision being made, the action being taken, which in my nothing-to-do-with-it opinion is the best decision/action.

Furthermore, for a little while the number of your posts will match the BWV numbers for Bach's solo string sonatas/partitas - violin, cello etc

And what's made me happy so far today? A profitable piano practice on Bach and Schubert and, rather miraculously, I think I have found a note (just the one, mark you!) that I have been playing incorrectly in the Bach prelude (i.e. playing an extra note in a chord) and that my teacher has missed to date!

I can't help thinking though, that I bet he's saved up that comment for later, when just when I think everything's going tickety-boo!

The fact that my Mum said that I can buy a few books tomorrow Yay!

Someone contacting me. Apparently we were at nursery and primary school together!! We'll have a lot to catch up on if we ever meet again!!!

Going to the carvery

Whatever it was I was posting, didn't work!

That hasn't made me happy - so ignore this post.

This definitely makes me happy too-maths AND string sonatas...

I got four new watchers on deviantART! Always a confidence-booster, that.

Hearing further from my nursery and primary school "best friend"! I'm ashamed to say I couldn't remember her when she contacted me but the things she remembers about me made me laugh so much when I read her mail!!! So glad she got in touch. Got an open invite to stay at her place so looking forward to going there at some point and catching up on 40 years!!!!

Managing to get out in my little car and drive around for a whole hour without stalling once! And then driving home (ok, so I almost crashed into my neighbour's car, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him right?)

Getting the tooth I destroyed fixed.... ok not the going to the dentist bit but knowing that the pain will be wearing off now and I should be able to enjoy ice cream again. There is also the added bonus that I shouldn't need to go near the dentist again for 6 months

I had an interview today, but I was unsuccessful. But on the other hand I received a text from my nan telling me to ring for a certain department store wanted to arrange a telephone interview, and I may have another telephone interview as well this week.

Loz xx

Good luck for that! I know interviews can be nerve-wracking sometimes..

What made me happy today? A book.

Walking again!!!

After nearly a week holed up in a hotel room in Bolivia after a back injury.

A lovely day out with my mam, and a prom dress fitting

Where did you go with your mam?

Up to Durham...twas quite an experience!

Why?

We were looking for a little dressmakers that's really very well hidden, we ended up walking up and down the same street for half an hour, asking in different shops the house number of their shops are we knew this shop was 27 we got there in the end, but then we got lost on the way back to the busstop, then my mam lost her ticket...all good fun though, she found it in the end

I take you went over the wrong bridge trying to get back to the bus. It's a very common mistake.

I believe so, we had a good giggle figuring that out though...several people looked a bit concerned!

So pleased to hear this, katica. Bad backs are a terrible thing - the stuff of comedy to onlookers, but absolute agony to the sufferer. Take it steady and don't overdo things now you're on your feet!

Have a potential lead on a no hassle room for next term (I decided to leave my current housemates as they always want me to do all the organising of everything, and will probably be happier commuting anyway).

The people sound friendly, it's closer to uni, and best of all it's about two steps away from the house of some really good friends of mine.
I haven't got the place yet, but it seems like a possibility.

Thank you!!!

Actually, the really worst thing is that it means my May UK visit is very likely to be postponed... and I will miss my very first Forum event, the York Playday.

That sounds great, lucky! I really hope it works out for you, though "no hassle" sounds too good to be true - "low hassle" might be nearer the mark!

Going to Belfast to see my brothers tomorrow!

No 1 son is five hours from Heathrow on his way home from four months spent travelling around the Pacific rim.

Keep an eye on airline websites : loads of flights are being disrupted due to volcanic ash clouds in UK air space

Er, yes, am doing. Still expected to land at 12.06.

that's good!

Well the flight was cancelled So my mum and stepdad are trying to organise the ferry instead.

Heathrow and Stansted are suspending flights in and out as of 12noon...
Though if people are already in the air and due to land at 12.06, I don't know what they might do about that!

But I do know (as a regular watcher of Air Crash Investigation on National Geographic channel) that you don't want to fly through volcanic ash clouds!

It's still due at 12.06 - was scheduled to be in at noon, so .

Fingers crossed for your son, andante_in_C - it sounds as though he'll make it before the airport's closed. I got mine home safe and sound from Stansted yesterday (he'd only been away 9 days, though )

Stephie, I hope you manage to get to Belfast

Oh we will! My mum booked us a last minute crossing on the Caledonia

Brilliant! - Have fun

Half an hour to go...

He landed at twelve on the dot and is now home.

That's wonderful (and what timing!)

That sounds like lucky timing.

Wonderful!

A really good workshop on aural and performance skills with three very bright participants giving lovely performances

And then some very good singing from a treble pupil of mine