We’ve been to the Hall for Cornwall this evening to see The Nutcracker by the Mergaliyev Classical Ballet company and what joy that was. I’ve come away feeling proper happy. We loved the live music, watching the musicians almost as much of a treat as watching the ballet. 
I thought you might like to read a little bit of Cornish on the safety curtain at the interval. 
Waiting to pay for parking in Truro afterwards my eye was caught by a shop front. 
Last night’s moon, one after the full moon, was still wondrous.
Coming back from Chapel Porth on Sunday I bought some narcissi from a bucket in someone’s garden in St Agnes. They smell wonderful as they have opened.
The best thing about our visit to the Hall for Cornwall this evening, was the lovely old architecture, in particular, the repeated arches. 
On my walk to choir this morning, I passed this colourful screen.
Found in Penryn
The river was particularly lovely in the early mist. I was a little late to choir so couldn’t take a photo but my singing pal Jan had done so and has sent me this beauty to share.
Penryn River in morning mist, taken by Jan
We have been singing tonight at the Hall for Cornwall, at the very last event before the developers move in tomorrow to begin work on the redesigned theatre which will take about eighteen months. The key was handed over with the words from a local child, “Please look after our theatre!”
On our way home after a meal out with lovely friends, first a Badger loped across our path and later a Hedgehog. No photos, but they both crossed the road safely.
1  Birthday breakfast for the lovely Mr S with our croissants kept warm in the beautiful Tree of Life bread-warmer.
Birthday breakfast
2 Â Thence to Truro for some bookshop browsing and dinner at ‘Gravy’ Â where we had the most delicious pre-theatre dinner. We hadn’t been there before but we’ll certainly go again. It is a very welcoming place with imaginative and well cooked food, ‘deliciously uncomplicated’ as they say themselves.
Mr S started with crab cakes with a watercress salad and I had meltingly soft gnocchi tossed with spinach, and chili oil, topped with tomato concasse and parmesan shavings – both starters beautifully presented and truly scrumptious.
Mr S then had Sea Bass served on oven roasted vegetables and new potatoes with a romesco sauce which he found very tasty.   I had the Supreme of Cornish chicken which was stuffed with wild mushrooms, onion and thyme, oven baked and served with dauphinoise potato, chantenay carrots and a red wine and shallot sauce. That, too, looked a picture and was delicious with every flavour discernible, truly a treat, which, since it was for a birthday, was most appropriate!  We had a very good bottle of Merlot with all this, were served beautifully in lovely surroundings and would highly recommend a vist to any of my readers who live in Cornwall!
Truro Cathedral
3  We followed dinner with an amazing concert – Courtney Pine on the saxophone and playing a new instrument he called a Ewi – and Electronic Wind Instrument which he had just been given by the makers on his tour of Japan and  with which he was experimenting. Its range was unbelievable and the sound amazing!  I have to confess that some of the wackier pieces didn’t appeal but overall it was a very enjoyable evening. Courtney Pine is such a genuine and warm individual who really appreciates his audience.
Courtney Pine amongst the audience
1 Â The little story-teller figure is a Pueblo Indian character and is honour of my Dad whose novels are behind the little figure in the photo.
Pueblo story-teller and novels by David Wiseman
2 Â Â The ‘Christmas’ cactus in beautifully in flower already.
‘Christmas’ cactus
3 Â We’ve been to the Hall for Cornwall this evening to see the marvellous Moscow City Ballet performing Romeo and Juliet. It was brilliant!
Moscow City Ballet, Romeo and Juliet
1 Â I love elephants! I’ve loved them since I was very little and today this beautiful story came in to my inbox and reminded me of our encounter with a herd of elephants after our Voluntouring in Mapoch, South Africa. The lovely Mr S spotted them from a long way away, we found them and watched them playing in the water for about 40 minutes. It was absolutely magical.
Elephants enjoying the water
Leaving the water
Teenage elephant, reluctant to leave his playing
Mother and Baby
2 Â This beautiful embroidery is one of three made for me by Grace, the sister of the teacher at the school in Mapoch, near Pretoria where we, with local builders, built a classroom.
Grace’s beautiful embroidery
Sisters under the skin, Grace, me and Sibongile and their babies
3 Â We’ve hardly stopped laughing all evening! We’ve been to see ‘Spamalot’ at The Hall for Cornwall. The place was packed and the whole audience loved the show.
1  Been to The Hall for Cornwall tonight to see “Reasons to be Cheerful’ a kind of homage to Ian Dury.  It’s fabulous! It’s funny and touching, it’s loud and it’s rude and it’s enormous fun! My face is aching from all the grinning and singing! It’s on tomorrow too http://www.reasonstobecheerfulthemusical.co.uk/  Do go and see it if you can! All the favourites are there in this musical/gig –  Reasons to be Cheerful, Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick, Sweet Gene Vincent, Clever Trevor…..
2 Â Â Today’s piano lesson marked One Year of Lessons and my teacher tells me that she’s really pleased with my progress. So am I; there are pieces that I can play just for pleasure now, simple maybe, but pleasing nevertheless.
3 Â From a comment on yesterday’s post, I found this new blog which I found really touching. Do have a look.
http://wordsfallfrommyeyes.wordpress.com/
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