The Ark goes to a concert

Last night we were in the Salle de Fetes at Matha to listen to the All Souls Orchestra perform. It must be the third time we have heard this excellent orchestra and we try to attend their performances every to years, when they have a French tour
  The orchestra was created in 1972 in London, at All Souls Church by Noel Treddinnick, who remains their conductor.  He overflows with energy, bounding and gesticulating in front of his musicians, seeming to drag them along with him, I can't imagine how they could fail to perform to their utmost with such a leader! They are internationally famous, so we are lucky that Noel arranges a tour of several local towns, he has a second home in Deux Sevres.
   We found the orchestra most impressive as always, the two vocal soloists being particularly excellent. Several well known pieces were performed, both secular and religious. Strangely, Noel doesn't seem to speak any French and an interpreter was used to translate his words to the English followers. The audience was a mixture of both nationalities, so this was much appreciated. Later in the evening, we were asked to stand and sing a hymn in French, which gave us the opportunity to see what being conducted by NoelTreddinick was like! Altogether an enjoyable evening, well worth the drive to Matha and the rather late return.

Bye for now, going to make a cuppa..

His Master'sVoice.

   A few days ago, Laika cut her foot, looking for rats in one of our outbuildings which used to be a bottle store. Unfortunately, there was broken glass in it, I have since locked the door shut. I noticed she was limping on her left hind foot, but she dislikes us putting Betadine on it, and threatens to bite. It got worse and the poor dog went onto three legs so we booked an appointment with the vet. He examined it, which we had never succeeded in doing, he did take the precaution of  putting a muzzle on the dog! He prescribed painkillers and a product to keep it clean but also a funnel-shaped object to stop her constant licking of the foot. She now looks like the old HMV advert and bangs into everything including our legs...
  Bye for now. Going to Kine at Melle.

Beasts in the garden

Swallowtail

 We have a rather overgrown Buddleia in the Ark's garden. They call it the butterfly bush, and it's appropriate, because it attracts all sort of butterflies and moths by its honey scented fragrance. I wanted to photograph some with my little camera. Isn't it strange how the insect flies off just as you press the shutter release! I had to take dozens of shots just to have four or five half decent results...at least I could delete the failures without financial loss. I would never have continued if I had to pay for film and development under the old system!
  Bye for now, going to drink a cuppa.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth