I got up slightly earlier today to get breakfast, sort my lunch and do a spot of practise. I went through a few sections of the orchestra music that I have not quite mastered and wrote in a few fingerings that may help. I can play it slowly and could tell you what the notes are without looking at the music but can't manage all of it at speed. It is getting a little better. The first rehearsal started at 9:30 and we did two movements from Schubert's 3rd symphony. There is no harp in this and as Anita can play the first clarinet part well I've opted to play the second oboe part on the clarinet. The main oboe is Alan, Palace Band member and one of my GOAT sponsors. He is a regular member of the Learning Orchestra and is on the committee so played a big part in the organisation of the course. There are some lovely oboe duo moments so it's good to have the second part filled in. Alan is delighted, especially when, er, I mean IF he gets lost then I point out where we are! We are all good friends on the back row and as well as working hard we do share the occasional joke or comment. As the rehearsal space is big and boomy it means every small sound gets heard so we do get told off for talking as it disrupts other players. The end of the evening rehearsal today felt like it was dragging on as we were doing something quite technical (Ma Tante Auurore by Boldlieu) and some of us were flagging a little. However the orchestra has made good progress and much of it is coming together.
After lunch I went for a swim then sat in the shade and read my book. I've got Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat) which I brought because it was the only book on my bookcase yet to be read with a French connection. I am enjoying it so far. The story teller is a bottle of wine, a Fleurie, 1962, so that lends a different perspective. Each of the bottles in the cellar have a different personality, not necessarily the sort that the wine buffs go on about but more human traits. I got through a few chapters of that then went for a long walk. The hotel provides a map of walks and I set off to find the windmill. As you can see from the photo I found it:
 |
| Jerusalem Windmill |
It was built to commemmorate some people who went to Jerusalem. I forget the basic facts but there is a huge amount of history in the area. All along my walk, which began with a trek up a huge hill in the woods, I saw ruins of stone buildings, old stone terraces (long since overgrown), caves and wells. Other than at the windmill I hardly saw a single person, which was lovely and added to the abandoned feel of the whole place. On another path to get back down the hill I did pass a small vinyard, an orchard and a field full of melons, probably honeydew as they looked quite yellow. Wildlife included the usual crickets, an occasional lizard and lots of butterflies. The views across the valley were quite special. I got a few photos but at times like this I get the urge to put a high-spec camera on my wish list.
 |
| View across Goult and beyond. The church in the centre is where we play on Sunday. |
 |
| Orchard and old farm house |
|
|
The evening meals have been an odd mix. The vegetarian option is identical to the carnivores, just with the meat taken out and if you're lucky a vegetable or fruit put there in it's place. Usually the starter and dessert have been great but the main course has been met with suspicion. I realised this was like a performance. Audiences tend to remember the beginnings and ends of pieces so it doesn't really matter what happens in the middle. It seems the French chef is working on the same prinicpal here! Meals are all eaten outside.
 |
| The dining courtyard |
I did ask if it ever rains here. Alan said he remembered a very brief shower two years ago but otherwise not since they could remember. Just lots of warm sunshine. Will I get bored of it all?
Et maintenant je vais au lit et dit au revoir!
No comments:
Post a Comment