Time flies!

Oh my goodness! I can't believe that I have missed a whole week! Last time you popped by, there was only one candle lit on the Advent stand. And take a look at it now! Yes, there are three candles lit! I have been so busy with Christmassy things at school plus singing in a couple of carol concerts, as well as going away, that time just seems to have flown by. I can't believe that in 2 weeks time, it will be Christmas Day! Luckily I was able to take a little breather today when Mr JK and I sat down to enjoy a slice of birthday cake and a cup of tea. Yesterday it was my birthday, and there was some cake leftover from my birthday offerings at school, so I brought it home. And it did taste deeeeelicious! The tea is in a new birthday mug. The light doesn't show it off terribly well, but it's a Le Creuset mug in graduating shades of purple! It is a perfect mug for tea - keeps it piping hot. I can't bare warm tea - ugh!!

Anyway, back to what else I have been up to! Last weekend Mr JK and I went to Liverpool. We went mainly to see a concert at the Philharmonic Hall performed by John Wilson and his orchestra. It was his 'Hooray for Hollywood' film music, and it was just perfection. I think that his Prom concert of the same music is going to be on the TV over Christmas. Do try to see it if you can, it's a real musical treat. We started the day at the Albert Dock, dodging the rather unpredictable rain showers.

We visited the Beatles Story and the Tate gallery. There was an exhibition of sculpture there. Some of the exhibits were quite frankly just plain weird. I really liked a mirrored cube. It had some circular holes cut in some of the faces which you could look through. Inside it was just an infinite number of reflections! I took a photo of myself looking in, just so you can get the idea. Someone else was looking through another of the holes at the same time as me!

We also visited Liverpool Cathedral. The cathedral choir was rehearsing for a Christmas concert that evening, so we sat down and enjoyed some rather beautiful singing. There is a rather lovely window which was being painted by an artist.

It was a lovely way to pass the time on a rather dreary afternoon. Music is a great spirit-raiser!

There is a large Chinese district in Liverpool. The entrance to that part of the city is marked by a very impressive gate. The street names are written both in English and in Chinese.

Yesterday, Mt JK and I were gadding about once again. This time we went to London for the day to go to the John Rutter Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall. We are both huge fans of Rutter's choral music, and especially love his carols. The Albert Hall is a magnificent building, both outside ....

.... and inside.

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It was a wonderful concert. The musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra got into the spirit of the event and appeared in the second half sporting Santa hats, reindeer antlers or tinsel! Such fun!

Today I have been playing catch up! Florence was keen to help me unwrap my birthday presents (I didn't get time yesterday!) Actually, she was more interested in the bag that one of the gifts came in!

I did get some lovely gifts, but I haven't yet managed to take photos of them, so I will leave sharing them with you until next time. I have almost finished my second Fishbone Gansey sock in my travels, so will finally have something knitting-related to show you too! See you soon! xxx