I'm not sure I really need to say this, but... guess who just finished her degree?

<- I'm somewhere between all of these.

Have just popped home for a brief break from the sun (spend all morning sat by the lake alternating Pimms and Sangria) and to change before heading out for our year groups celebratory dinner this evening.

It feels a bit sad that I might not see many of them again now. Guess its no different to finishing school or college though.

congratulations!



Ooh - congratulations to you as well!! I remember the equivalent day of my life - handed in my thesis, and then went off to talk to my orchestra conductor about our Europe tour that happened a week later. Couldn't beat that feeling.

Well done tamsin!

Just booked a week in Lake Garda. Can't wait!

WOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONSSSSSSS!!! Now you can have a lie-in




Oh how lovely!! Now I'm quite jealous







My 'happy' is that today I finally managed the first proper, un-interrupted, concentrated, productive practice session on my viola for about a month. I've arranged a lesson for next Friday too so hopefully I'm back on track

(after having time off to 'deal' with elderly parents)

to tamsin and MDSS

Mine - it's been a lovely sunny day again!!

And I'm just about to head out to my clarinet lesson now

Won't it be a bit wet? Or are you intending to stay on the shore




I love Lago di Garda and all the towns and villages dotted around it.

Achieved top rated seller on ebay, well it was yesterday really!

Sold and instrument and accessorie today and had a nice meal out

It sounds like your business is really taking off! I hope everything continues to go well.


I really enjoyed my lie in this morning. But now... oh dear, the blinkers have come off and I have realised what a TIP our house is in. Cleany, cleany cleany...

Persuaded hubby to buy a new TV

Been out for a bike ride in this glorious sunshine. Pushing a bit too hot to be honest, I was only out for an hour but I felt the need for another bottle of water with me (which means buying another bottle cage, etc...!) Was lovely though

Just near home on the way back there were some roadworks with temporary traffic lights. As I turned round the corner and could see them, the light went red. So I waited at the lights, one car in front of me. As the traffic coming the other way stopped, I looked behind and could see 8 or so cars behind me (with me being second in queue). So I pulled over to the kerb, and as the light went green I gestured the car behind me to go through, and then the others following. Then I tacked on the back of the queue behind them all

Which took about 15 seconds of my life...and as I was just out enjoying myself, not aiming to be somewhere at a certain time, actually cost me nothing. But it got me a fair few smiles from the drivers. Am I allowed to be happy at making other people smile, or is that too smug?

Tomas Luis de Victoria, Michael Haydn, and John the fourth of Portugal - who was probably somebody else entirely.

Course enrollment for next semester! I can't wait to write proofs again! The prospect of very limited timed exams is nice too... pity I have to finish this semester out first

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdLCcQixNvg

Ooh, that was lovely, thanks Cyrilla!

My kids are big Andreas Scholl fans - we play his CDs in the car..

New TV

Connecting it up has taken the boys 4 hours. Result!

So long since we have had a new TV - I am stunned by the possibilities - internet on the tele - fab!

Just finished my piano practice by seeing how much of a piece I've not played for a few weeks I could play. It's a piece that took me some time to get going and I was very pleased at how well I managed to get through the first section. I've not yet learned all of it yet as something else has taken priority for now. Might give the next section a go later.
Looks like I am improving after all. A piece at that level of difficulty I'd normally expect to struggle with after a few weeks not playing.

Now you mention it.....

Singing in Stainer's Crucifixion this evening (and rehearsal this afternoon). There's been absolutely zilch on the TV to do with Good Friday, so I'm very glad to have taken part.

Beautiful. Thank you cyrilla.

Isn't it? I just keep playing it over and over - I like having the music there to sing along to (in solfa, naturally!!!).

My 'happy' - is that the sun is shining and I'm off to spend a day out with Bagpuss!

Hope you really enjoy the new TV. We had one about 18 months ago, and I'm still stunned by it. I particularly like viewing my photos on the big screen - it somehow links to our computer.

As for Andreas Scholl Thanks so much for the link, Cyrilla; such a beautiful rendition.

Being back on the forums!

Have had a lovely day today- been egg rolling down Cadbury Castle, been to pub, sat outside with the kids and dog and am now teaching my 16 year old to cook a roast! Also I have eaten a lovely Green and Black (fairtrade) butterscotch egg in it's entirety and it was good!

I have a very lovely family and very lovely friends and I am blessed!

What a lovely post! It sounds like the perfect day. Hope all the forumites have had a happy Easter.

Uneventful Easter for me... pondering my next Big Life Change...

Welcome back, Stephie. Nice to have you back.

It's still sunny and I've done all my English homework.
Although I should probably be revising rather than forumming...

My study has at last stopped looking like a battlfield. I even managed to find the floor and hoover it this morning. So tomorrow I can start the new term with a clear conscience!

The Lark Ascending is no longer No.1 in the Classicfm Hall of Fame chart. The Rach 2 is back on top.


*Hopes the Lark descends rapidly! Sorry..not a favourite of mine.*

I completely agree, I cannot stand the Lark or understand why it is so popular !
It might be because some years my daughter played it for a while !

Im happy because daughter is visiting at the moment so we played a Beethoven Sonata together yesterday No6, one of the least well known, but one I have played since my Uni days in the sixties - gorgeous slow movement. Its a much nicer Sonata than its famous predecessor, 'The Spring'

Plans coming together and being able to play for an hour on my clari now

Spent the day in Venice - with 6 year old son who was very unimpressed!

Being of the opposite party (never been sure why Rach 2 is quite so popular as it is - I mean, it's OK, but very "film music"), I'm thinking I should vote next year!

The only problem with The Lark is that it gets done to death. I do love it though!

Well if you do, try voting for some really really beautiful, sublime, out of this world music. For instance...let me see now...Piano Concerto No.5 by Beethoven aka The Emperor (just to make sure you have all the details! )

That was Ludwig's highest entry this year.

That's really good Louise.... well done!

A pupil who had practiced in the holidays! It was so nice to hear someone who had improved over the last couple of weeks!
I might have another of those tonight too- 2 in one day! Exciting!

I have just been for the most amazing walk with my dogs and I'm posting a photo here just to share because the weather was PERFECT and it was one of those days when it feels a privilege to live where I do AND I was carrying my camera !!!

Scotland really is one of the most beautiful places on the planet... and I live just a few miles from this


Oh, this is Loch Muick, about 20miles from Balmoral Castle. (The Queen actually owns all this but I like to pretend it's all just my back garden )




Here's another photo - I had my picnic lunch down by that beach

STUNNING, lottie!!!

For me - teaching Panthera and being given a sheet of squishy stickers (food with faces on!) by her.

A pressie for the Sticker Queen!

I've finished my marathon teaching day. I had college this morning, plus all my Monday private pupils and my two adults this afternoon. I'm now back on holiday until Tuesday.

Going to pay for my son's new (longer) piano lesons and discovering that my father had already paid the bill!

**speechless!!!**


We NEEEEEED a Cairngorms Forum Play Day!

Lottie I love your photos - I LOVE Scotland in this weather!! Making the most of it!!

My happy is that i've just sat my grade 4 viola exam!! Was great fun!!

Already planning what exam will be next... I have a short list to decided from

You forgot the Opus number ! !!!!

Wow lottie your pictures are amazing

For me, band practice was really good, and getting to sit in with the main band to play a Joseph arrangement in preparation for our concert in two weeks time

(Good for you, muzikalbadger!)

Got the Porsche on the road again just in time for the MOT, which could have put it back off the road ... but, no, it passed with no advisories. Is that a Grade 8 with distinction for little Porsche?

Great photos lottie.
What a fabulous place to live.

I cycled to Cambridge this morning. I then got the train home

It took 2 hours 40 minutes just about (27 miles), and that included some stops. The first in a lay-by to have a drink. The second at a church we drive past often, which looks quite old and pretty with an interesting graveyard - so I stopped there and had a wander around and a drink. The third stop, I was merrily cycling along and there was a field of free range pigs with lots of piglets. Which made me out loud say "Piiiiiiiigs!!!!" and slam on the brakes (I knew there were no other vehicles behind me at the time!) And I stood and watched them for five minutes.

When I got off the train I then had to cycle home. Only 2.4 miles...but my legs weren't happy about doing more work (even though they'd been suitably fortified with a pasty and a milkshake on arrival at Cambridge station!)

I'm enjoying music more than I ever have Started to do properly effective practising and seen some real results, I basically got through grade 8 and a little behond on a rubbish practise technique - play through don't break into pieces and hit a wall - not improving.

Went back to basics and now I've really improved. My clarinet is really coming into it's own - I'm so pleased. Rediscovered love for the flute and my piano playing is at a level it's never been at before

almost rid of the niggling headache I've had for a couple of days