Take 19 vibrant young people between the ages of 11 and 18, put them on the stage and give them a list of songs and some very creative choreography, and it's a wonderful concert. The performers are all part of Sarah's Singing Studio, and they showed their many talents at our local theatre yesterday.
Rook's Nest
Random ramblings from the cluttered brain of a Brit ex-pat North Devonian trying to keep cool in the steamy summers and warm in the frosty winters of The Great White North.
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Let's Sing!
Saturday, 26 July 2025
R & J
The Dream in High Park..... each year the outdoor auditorium in Toronto's High Park is the setting for one of Shakespeare's plays. This year it was the romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare wrote this play some time between 1591 and 1595. It was one of Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime along with Hamlet (last year's play), and is one of his most frequently performed.
Shakespeare contrasts some of his very serious scenes with comedy, and as female roles were normally played by men in the 16th century, some of the scenes must have been very funny to audiences of the day.
This summer theatre tradition of Shakespeare Under the Stars has been running for 42 years. I took Older Son to the park to see Romeo and Juliet when he was just a kid and even though he decided he wasn't going to enjoy it and wouldn't understand it, he loved it. And now I'm going with him and Oldest Grandson to see it again. We took folding chairs and sat high up at the back. a great view, and I didn't want to sit on the ground, I'm too old for that!
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Mural
What's going on? Why is that road closed? What's that cherry picker equipment doing in the road? Who's that guy with the hard hat?
Our small town is getting a new mural covering up some ancient walls. Lots of older buildings in the downtown area that could do with a facelift and this is a great idea. This is the second large scale mural in town, the first one is here, although that photo was when the work was unfinished. I'll have to take another photo.
Painted by local talented artist Colin Whitebread, the mural is bright and full of fun.
No doubt there will be grumbles about the waste of town money, but I think it's great! This is painted on the wall opposite the entrance to the Funeral Home. I hope it will bring some cheer to the mourners.
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
Pop My Top
Sunday, 13 July 2025
Wildflower Meadow
The wildflower seeds were supposed to include evening primrose which is yellow, but mainly red field poppy and blue cornflowers appeared.
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Photo by Sarah. |
Friday, 4 July 2025
Nipper
On the way to Cape Cod, we spent a night in Albany. Albany is the capital and oldest city in the State of New York. It was claimed by Henry Hudson for the Dutch in 1609, and has been a chartered city since 1686.
Lots to see in an old city like that, and a local guide came on the Big Red Bus to take us on a tour of the sights. We travelled the old streets through the city centre, passing the Dutch Reformed Church, the Dutch Church, the Van Rensselaer Manor House, and the large homes of many of Albany's business leaders. And there's a crazy theatre shaped like an egg!
But the sight I really wanted to see wasn't on the tour. I wanted to see Nipper!
Apparently Nipper can appear with pink bunny ears at Easter, or a Santa hat at Christmas. Our only view of Nipper was from the highway as we left town. A big cheer went up from the riders of the Big Red Bus.
Monday, 30 June 2025
Travel Across the Border
One of my bloggers recently remarked that I must be the only Canadian he knows crossing the border into the USA these days. Well, not quite the only one, there were 26 of us on the Big Red Bus. (Although it seats 48 I believe. There were cancellations.)
We crossed into USA at the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie/Buffalo, no problems at all with the Customs Officers, everything went smoothly in spite of all sorts of stories about people being refused entry. We stopped at the Duty Free, and it was interesting to note we were the only bus in the big parking lot, along with 4 or 5 cars..... usually the place is thronging with shoppers. Nobody is travelling to USA.
When our Big Red Bus drove into the driveway at our hotel on Cape Cod in Eastham, Massachusetts, this is the scene that greeted us.
What a wonderful welcome! The Cape Cod area exists on tourism during the summer months, and although there were loads of Americans enjoying the area, Canadians are sorely missed. In many restaurants we were asked "Where are you folks from" and when we replied Toronto Canada, we heard lots of "Welcome! So glad you are here! Tell all your friends! etc etc" We heard heartbreaking stories about hundreds of hotel cancellations, and loss of income. And all because of one person. Sad.