Hi All, It’s amazing what a couple of days of sunshine can do. The blossom on the almond trees which had been very reluctant to appear has burst into life, and it makes so much difference to be able to sit on the patio for breakfast. 23 degrees earlier today, but unfortunately it is now down to about 14 with three days rain forecast. A pity, because Ann is still not well and is in dire need of some persistent sunshine. She finished a really good portrait of a Mozambiquan lady we met at Nkwichi this week, and is going to Pilates tonight. As usual she is making light of things but still has a horrible cough and it is about time she started to get better. We are both counting the days until we move, Ann because she wants a decent kitchen and me because I want to get some veggies planted before the weather gets too hot.
Very much enjoyed the choir competition at Teulada last night. We put thirty-six people on stage and made a really good sound. We won the audience award but finished second to a Barber shop choir in the judged competition, which we were a bit disappointed with. However, the concert raised nearly 2000 euros for One Step Malawi, which was really encouraging. Seeing so many of our friends there really brought it home that we had hardly been out since New Year, and we are really hoping to get back into things soon. Next choir event is on the 27th Feb, and we have to learn Beethoven’s Ode to Joy in Spanish by then, which could be a challenge! Dolce Divas have a big concert on 18th April which I am in the process of sorting out. They have teamed up with the former principal cellist from the London School of Music and a really good blues guitarist called Markus Koehorst (www.youtube.com/koehorst), so it should be a really good evening. (Book your flights,Jan)
Sending all positive thoughts and best wishes to my niece Katie, who is very ill in Auckland, New Zealand, and her family. Life does seem to have a habit of treating the nicest people horribly badly. Really hope she makes a full and rapid recovery. BFN Andy
ann and andy lawrenson 