Hi Everybody

Good morning to you all - Sunday 12th December. It is 59 years to the day since I left UK at Tilbury Docks, heading out East to relieve those who had been fightig the war in Singapore, Malaya and Burma and all stations east. What an adventure that was for an 18 year old!. No thoughts of Christmas, no thoughts of who I was leaving behind - just "What will it be like??"
Well, to bring you more up-to-date, yesterday we did go to the cinema and we did see Phantom. Have any of you seen it - or perhaps read the book. Who wrote the book? I was talking to our neighbour Reg, who said that the stage show with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman was fantastic but that is what it was on film - fantastic. The masquerade scene was so beautifully done and the underground scenes were a lot more realistic than could possibly have been portrayed on the stage. I recognised Simon Callow and Minnie Driver, but Christine was unknown to me, although she sang sweetly enough and looked good. Our Operatic Society tried to do justice to the Masquerade scene years ago and we had difficulty with the timing and the music. The Sandown Operatic Society sang many of the fabulous songs, but the words of the song at Christine's father's grave have stayed with me. Wishing you were somehow near again..................classic words from Tim Rice.
Last night we went to a Christmas concert and saw one of the York mystery plays, followed by carols and Christmassy songs. Not bad but not up to COS standards, Jan and Pete.
Steve, I put my mobile on charge and a notice came up 'Insert Sim card' - well I thought it couldn't work without one and I have never taken it out so - what? Love to you all Mum and Dad