Howick Hall

We have had no side effects from the Pfizer booster. Just a sore arm.

The opera last night, Rigoletto, was magnificent. (About 80% of the audience wore masks which is very good for this area.) We were informed that both the principal singers plus the conductor had Covid. The understudies were young South Africans and did a great job, especially the female. The replacement conductor looked about 12. They played the Ukrainian national anthem before the performance. The whole opera was ultra-dramatic with exciting sets (the zebra looked more like a cross between a horse’s face and a striped cow), an amazingly powerful lightening sequence and of course a drawn-out death scene. It was good to be out and feel almost normal and Mr C surprisingly enjoyed it. Ballet is more this thing.

Today the clouds rolled in but it looked better towards the coast, so I persuaded Mr C to come with me for a hobble round Howick Hall grounds. This house was built by Earl Grey of tea fame, the 1832 reform act and a former Prime Minister. I expect he made his fortune on the back of the empire. The daffodils will be better in a week or so, and a few early rhodies were out. As there wasn’t a lot going on in the woods yet we exited at the coastal path and walked to Rumblin Kern then turned back to the car park at The Bathing House where we got a view up the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle.

My leg is no better and of course hobbling has given me backache. Mr C will have to do the climbing in the woods with the boys tomorrow.