In which things get rather posh

No, for any of you who were wondering, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.  I have in fact been rather busy and important (at least in my own head).

Here's the run down of what we've been up to the last couple of weeks:

London Symphony Orchestra concert at the Barbican Hall in London.  Gareth Davies played the Nielsen Flute Concerto (that's not him above).

Jenny and I at dinner before the concert.

The goofy bunch that inexplicably came to sit down across from us.

I got in touch with my artisanal side and made bread.

We went to lunch at the private country estate turned hotel/restaurant Eastwell Manor

The dining room

View from atop the staircase

View from my seat at the table

Followed by this thing of beauty (and tastiness)

The company

The gigglers

And in the tradition of saving the best for last, the amazing bathroom!  Hard to get a full sense of it here (I resisted the temptation to take pictures of the actual stalls, which were beautiful as well) but it really was quite heavenly - I could have hung out there for hours very happily!

As far as class is concerned, we've had two more guest masterclasses in the studio - Juliet Edwards, piano and Pat Morris, piccolo - both very informative and enjoyable.  We spent my birthday this last Wednesday at the Royal Academy of Music listening to a William Bennett's masterclass (and doing a very, very, VERY tiny bit of shopping).

And we had a bit of a "Thanksgiving" celebration on Saturday - for which we ate cheese fondue (?)  I was granted leave, however, to bake and bring a pecan pie for the occasion just for a tiny hint of Americana (all things in moderation).

Off to Rome on Thursday!

I celebrate English democracy (?) and get in touch with my Asian side (?!)

Yes, life is a surprisingly multi-cultural experience here in the sleepy English countryside.  Or maybe it's just owing to the fact my daily crowd here is comprised of the English, Taiwanese, Australian, Korean and American.  

In any case, Friday found me and my Asian home-girls in Canterbury for a bit (just a VERY LITTLE bit) of shopping.  It's amazing how restorative a little frivolous retail can be - no offense to the Hastingleigh cows, of course.  With a certain recklessness abandon, we made our way down the row of shops, trying on as many items, sniffing as many fragrances, petting as many pretty shoes, and sampling all the chocolates we could manage in the two brief hours of empty-headed commercialism allotted for the day.  It was hedonistic heaven.

We paused our retail revels long enough at lunchtime to stop in at Wagamama, a Japanese/Asian fusion chain that serves pretty tasty/quick food.  Ko-Yu and So-Yun had been singing its praises with semi-religious fervor since we arrived, so naturally, we had to check it out.

So-Yun and I eagerly anticipate my lunch (finally pho!)

Our more patient and lady-like lunch companions across the table

As Saturday was the 5th of November, we participated in the village's annual Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night celebration.  For those who need an explanation, it's an English commemoration of the apprehension of Guy Fawkes and friends in 1605, who were plotting to blow up Parliament and kill James I.  How does one celebrate this momentous occasion?  You blow stuff up and reenact killing Guy Fawkes.

This bonfire was MASSIVE, and you can just barely see the rather small, leaning, stuffed representation of the hated Mr. Fawkes on the bottom left.

You've heard don't mess with Texas, but really don't mess with the British.  They're still burning this guy in effigy 400 years later. 

The evening started off with a gathering outside the pub, from where we all proceeded (through the mud and wet of a very soggy night) to the farm just outside the village that hosts the festivities every year in a large empty field on the hillside.  I got the sense that, much like our American 4th of July, this celebration is a convenient historical excuse to get together, blow things up and enjoy rather more beers and sausages than you would otherwise.

So-Yun and Jenny support the village till with hot dogs and soup at concessions

The festivities get underway overhead

Besides being a very damp and windy evening, it was a very enjoyable one.  One of the whist ladies introduced Jenny and I to another American who lives in the village.  He's from Salt Lake City originally, and he and his young family have been here a year for his work.  We received a very kind invitation for Thanksgiving, so in addition to Studio Thanksgiving, Jenny and I may get two Turkey-Days this year when we worried at first we'd have none!

I also met the vicar, so my night was pretty much complete!

Much love,
KEB