ISLE OF WIGHT TO WORTHING AND BEYOND

Good Afternoon,

We finished off our visit to the Isle of Wight listening to our friend Deb sing in a concert with the Camerata Chamber Choir and the music of the composer Patrick Hawes who was there in person to present his music and conduct. Sadly, for me, his name meant nothing but he is, as I'm sure many of you will know, quite famous and was resident composer for a few years at Classic FM. Anyway we all enjoyed it and afterwards the whole family went for a curry.

On Sunday we were invited round for an enormous and lovely lunch. So many thanks to Mike and Deb. We enjoyed ourselves very much on the Island and it is a really good place to spend a wek or two.
Off then to Worthing and to see cousin and Godmother Jo who entertained us to lunch - we are doing well with our invitations! Fine food and wine and lots of chat later we strolled back to our campsite.
Next stop Crystal Palace and a fine site next to Crystal Palace Park. We met there some of our old ski-ing chums, Mary, John and Tracy. We hadn't seen them for 25 years and in all the excitement I forgot my camera. For those of you who are reading this and may know them I can assure you that they haven't changed at all! Next morning we saw Mum and Dad's old neighbours Sally and Malcolm for coffee. Great to see them again. Their new neighbours do seem a bit of a nightmare, though.

Crystal Palace area has got a bit gentrified since I was last there with lots of cafes, delis and bars. A couple of good real ale pubs too offering discounts to Camra members. On the way back to the campsite I thought I must be in a timewarp and travelling back to 1970. The line-up at the next Concert in the Park - Rick Wakeman, The Strawbs, Barclay James Harvest, Hawkwind and Focus. Just need Edgar Broughton to turn up and the transformation would be complete!

Until next week
J&P