Chess opening

A very long time ago I remember my father sitting with my sister's eldest son Jeremy who was then about 7 and beginning to teach him to play chess.  His younger brother was sitting watching and I remember him playing with the pieces and turning the pages of a children's chess book before he counld even read.  Chris played chess at school, and later for Kent and then for England.  In 1996, the year his mother was critically ill, he brought a smile back to her face by becoming British Chess Champion and earning the title Grandmaster.

Today I watched with pride as Chris brought chess alive for some very young children and their parents who came along to a Children's University Chess Day. They listened with great concentration then played with determination and courage. Chris even made it seem possible that I could finally polish my pawns, rattle my rooks and ride out into the fray.  I just hope my Dad will take time out of his heavenly match to help me out. I may need a guardian angel if I get out of my depth.

Easter Lizzy

Easter is a joyful celebration of new life and at breakfast Lizzy was beaming sunny smiles even though her poor parents were groggy from lack of sleep.  Lizzy's first visit to Granny Penny's Sheffield home was like a trip to the funfair with the travel cot providing all night entertainment.  This is something I remember very well from the long nights in my sister-in-law's silent home trying to persuade the wide awake and very vocal Tom to sleep.

It was a treat to hear music in my home once more.  Whether it is  Chopin, jazz or chopsticks a piano is for playing.  All the hours of practice over the years have given Rosy a precious skill and she now teaches from home and in schools as well as leading a singing group for the Altzheimer's Society.  Lizzy pays careful attention to her lessons.  She has a clever teacher.

She also has a taste for the recorder and has discovered that it toots when she eats it.  She has a taste for printed matter, and reads the newspaper by licking it. She has chewed the occasional important letter.  

So will she grow up to be a musician, a journalist or a secret agent?  Watch this space....

River view

This is a London skyline that still seems strange to me.  I am a Londoner but everytime I return it has changed just a little bit more.  Half remembered landmarks are dominated by towers of glittering glass, symbols of a fragile success that threaten to crash down and smash into lethal fragments whilst the Shard stretches even higher towards the sun.

Ed & Shelly

Last night I slept cosily curled up on a comfy couch in Ed and Shelly's stylish London flat that they have stripped out and remodelled, doing nearly all the work themselves on a shoestring.  I am so pleased to be able to stay here and very proud to be the auntie of Edward Ward, a designer of lovely stuff.  www.alllovelystuff.com
Ed and Shelly are a brand for the future and their next product is due out soon.

Overground

For seven years I travelled to school on the District Line. If we were in time we would run up the train and jump into a no smoking carriage but otherwise it was a dirty smelly experience, and particularly unpleasant during Wimbledon weeks when visitors would cram onto the trains and elbow us out of the way.  Now there is  a new train running - The London Overground. Smart and clean with plenty of standing room - very much like the Singapore trains but not quite as shiningly tasteful.  Stylish would be asking too much.  This train is homely.

Stitch in time

Back in the centuries before internet and TV the wealthy had time on their hands to sit and stitch.  I'm not sure whether this could be called leisure or even pleasure as the tedium must have been a trial with the final product a testimony to their self-discipline and perseverence. Patience is a virtue ...  The breathtakingly intricate lace shawl allegedly made by Ann Boleyn and her ladies for the baby Elizabeth would have definitely kept them out of mischief for 9 months.  How could they possibly see to sew in the castle gloom without table lamp and magnifier?  Seated by the draughty windows they would have needed gloves.  Who can do this now?  You can see how education has gone downhill.  Bring back the thimble.

A Canadian Abroad

My friend Beth from Toronto is visiting and we are on a micro tour of quintessential England, with weather.  Having already visiting Stonehenge and Avebury in the sunshine at the weekend, she has now seen Bourton-on-the-water in the pouring rain, Broadway in the biting cold and Blenheim Palace in damp drizzle.  Meanwhile back in the Sheffield there is snow on the ground and the Woodhead Pass is closed.  Sensibly, she came prepared.