On Friday, while walking past M&S, (Miss Dover loves M&S) we heard some unusual buskers. They were unusual for a number of reasons. Firstly they were neither fiercely blowing an unidentifiable tune on a tin whistle, nor were they being looked after by a long suffering dog. Their instruments were fine and unusual. I, for one, have never seen a busker playing a Bassoon before. The violinist appeared to be in another world, a trance which placed her still features in direct opposition to the speedy precision of her fingers. The music was beautiful and largely ignored by the shoppers of Ipswich. We left some money (they had but 30p in their hat), said thank you and wandered off to the bus stop. Mr Pig was at the vets having her teeth extracted so, to distract ourselves from this life or death procedure, we were heading to Martlesham to deliver some work to the framers. Annabel had five beautiful drawings of minerals, I four, not so beautiful ones, of my belly button fluff. They are to be shown in Exeter for the first incarnation of “The Count of Monte Cristo” and needed to be placed in 9 identical box frames. I can tell the story of the rest of the day in pounds and pence.
Bus fares to Martelsham – £8
Framing – £575
Lunch – £14
Vet fee – £260
Special cat food – £4
On Saturday we went to the Ballet. With a full house of mostly grey haired ladies we saw Swan Lake performed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia (£30 each). We took our seats next to a lady who had seen Nureyev and Fontaine (not in Ipswich). She was booked into every performance.
The conductor stalked on, shook the hand of his lead violinist (our busker) and …..
During the interval we met a tall stiff man with a medieval haircut. He had danced with the Saddler’s Wells Company in the 50s. Miss Dover is hatching a plan to interview him and his neighbour, Douglas Wilmer.
My first eBay item has sold for £10.75
