Yet again I have a positive experience to report!  I went to London to see the Tiger Lillies - a post-punk, anarchic and very non PC band - and they were fantastic.  They performed in a huge tent on the Southbank, which had overtones of Berlin in the Thirties - the audience absolutely loved the whole experience.  Stayed in a posh hotel WITH SMOKING ROOM!!!!!  We went both ways by train, but the blasted thing stopped at Bournemouth, so thanks to a mate who picked us up.

Then I spent a few days in Oxford with another friend, which was equally good news - we slobbed about reading, but did get ourselves together to go to London on the coach for an afternoon.  Had a very good Chinese meal on our return.  Again, I went by train, although this time it stopped at the right station.

Finally, I went to Birmingham to see Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss in the Symphony Hall.  I have to say that it was the best opera I have ever seen, and that includes La Traviata at the Royal Opera House.  It started at 4pm, and we had two intervals - it finally finished at 9pm!  We were in floods at the end as it was terribly sad.  They got massive standing ovations and were made to do many curtain calls.  It was marvellous.

Busy week coming up - including a visit to my CPN.

I don't often write positive things on this blog, so I thought I'd do it today.  I've just come back from a 6 day holiday in the Outer Hebrides, staying with my friend on North Uist.  I flew from Bristol to Glasgow, and then Glasgow to Benbecula, having got up at 0330 and arriving at 1130.  The weather was glorious throughout the trip - so we had fabulous views and went for walks (not many for me) along sandy beaches.  We had some fantastic meals, including eating fresh langoustine on the Isle of Harris.

The main highlight of my birding year - I saw a pair of Golden Eagles with their chick in the nest.  Marvellous.  I also saw turnstones, wheatears, knot, curlews and a short eared owl, along with the commoner birds of the garden.  AND a red breasted merganser on the way to Harris.

It was lovely being there with my friend - I'll go back as soon as I can!