Oh my gosh! I totally flaked out on poor Berny (pictured above in our usual Starbucks meeting place) and have put this picture in as some sort of 'virtual' recompense for being an unreliable so-and-so: apols dear Bern and hope you can come to the opera as a vague treat instead of being niggled by Harper mucking you about...

Did manage to be on time for S's Mum's funeral this morning, which was at Holy Trinity, Tulse Hill. Quite a difficult time in some ways but the eulogy was very heartfelt and truthful. I chatted to a lovely chap called (forgets!) who was a visitor at the home where she was based for the last few months. The organ was lovely though - the instrument that is.

Last few days were with Kingle and Carol and Rophie and Tendai in Gloucester (as regular visitors to this blog will know): family life has it's problems... and it's blessings too of course: not forgetting those.

Of course Don Giovanni, like our fine figure of an Olympic diver Tom Daley with the audience in Gloucester, had his opportunities to explore certain aspects of family life. Here he is (above R) with the Commendatore about to proffer him a slender sliver of a chance at repentance: must get to confession some time - as it says 'whatever you do, in word or deed...' be decent when commenting on buff divers in the presence of ladies.

Otherwise there'll be a chorus (and soloists as above) singing round my 'formaldehyde tank...'

Isn't that right ladies...

Please no jokes!

Still as they say...

Grazie!