Finally, rest...

It was a crazy long day of travelling... getting up stupidly early in the morning, followed by a train, then a plane... then a bus and then a longish car ride... but I do find myself back in the Perigord region of France (where I normally have this summer festival with an orchestra that I normally play with...) for a short little concert and preparation (only a few days...).

The start of the day was pretty crap... with standing room only on the train (how do people do this commute every day?)... and then a bit of a chaotic check-in and security at the airport. For some reason, the baggage automation was down... so everything was being done the old-fashioned way (with manned check in desks and trolleys for the baggage...), except that it was seriously understaffed!

After the long travel, we had a quick ensemble rehearsal... sadly, we aren't joined by our normal artistic chief... so, we have a very different experience (to put it subtly.... ).... ah well, we (the musicians) will just have to make the stand-in look better than he is... bite your tongue and play well! Plus, assist in "helping" to achieve the greatness that they think they have in themselves...

Anyway, it is a good way to try and focus on the good things that we have here... I get a super nice room in a big house... with lots of peace and quiet... and there is lots of great food and wine (we are in wine and duck country!).... and the view out the window isn't too bad either.

I am in a little town though... I have all morning off tomorrow, and so I might take a wander around to see what is in this town. Each time I visit this area, we are put up in different places in different towns.. so it is a bit of a lucky dip to see what we get! Still, I can't really complain about the draw this time!

I must remember to try and pick up some Lavender Sugar for my daughters... they loved it from the last time... but it didn't last long! It really goes well with toast (with a bit of butter to stick it in place!).