When one door closes...

Years ago, I made a New Year's resolution to give up up making any New Year's resolutions. This has been one resolution that I've found easy to keep; up until now that is. In my last blog, 'The best laid plans', I included this list of New Year's resolutions that had been shared as a picture on Facebook by Life Coach, Lydia Field. This is a list of resolutions designed to help people to take care of their physical and mental well being. As I read the list I began to realise that, somewhere along the line, I'd forgotten to do just that and as a result had ended up in a situation that was affecting my health. I decided to take on board these resolutions and I can't believe how quickly things have changed for the better.

Having taken our house of the market, life did become a bit less stressful. But, due to my having been in hospital with pneumonia, I was quite badly behind in my Open University studies. In an effort to catch up, I spent every minute reading, or should I say , trying to read. But the more I looked at the words, the less sense they seemed to make and the more convinced I became that I wasn't taking any of it in. The more I tried, the more stressed I became. On top of this, I also found that I was continuing to get out of breath very easily. A visit to the doctor, combined with a chest x-ray, confirmed that my lungs hadn't yet fully recovered from the effects of the pneumonia, and being stressed wasn't helping.

During this time, I had several conversations with my hubby, during which I complained that I felt that doing the course had taken over my life and was preventing me from doing what I really wanted to do, i.e. do more writing and take up the opportunity to become a Downton Abbey tour guide at Cogges, a position that I'd recently been offered. It took several such conversations with my hubby, plus a couple of friends, but I finally took the decision to defer my studies until the Autumn. The relief I felt having made this decision was instantaneous.

But this was nothing compared to what happened next. 

Lady Mary, Tom and Farmer Drewe at 'Yew Tree farm.

The same day I made this decision, I was invited to a meeting to discuss the Downton Abbey tour guide position and, asked by the Director of Cogges, if I would be interested in helping to write a new guide book for them, as the old one is very out of date. Talk about 'when one door closes...'. Not only will I be able to show people the locations around the site where some of the scenes from series 4 and 5 of Downton Abbey were filmed, Cogges being the location of Yew Tree farm in the drama, but I'm also getting the opportunity to write about the filming for the guide book. I'm currently spending my time watching DVDs of series 4 and 5, as part of my research, and as the doctor has told me that I need to 'take it easy' until my lungs get back to normal, this is just perfect for me at this time.

I also have the date for my first official tour.

I haven't given up on my studies, just decided to take some time out. We still want to sell our house and there are still other ongoing situations which are in themselves stressful. But being able to take control and manage that stress is helping me a lot.

It wasn't an easy decision to make. But I'm really glad that, in the end, I had enough sense to listen to what my body was telling me and take my own advice.

So by:- 'Taking a risk', (no.6), 'being kind to myself', (no.8), and 'letting myself of the hook', (no. 4), I'm, 'able to relax more', (no. 3) and as a result 'keep my sense of humour', (no. 9).  I like to think that I was already doing no. 10, and 'appreciating all I have'.

Now to follow no. 7 and 'take my dreams seriously'. That's quite a challenge, but hopefully an enjoyable one. Another step along the path of my New Beginnings.

Acknowledgements.

Timing is everything photo courtesey of:-
http://positiveoutlooksblog.com/

Resolutions picture courtesy of:- https://www.facebook.com/LyndaFieldLifeCoach/photos/a.258400014202527.62678.145359422173254/860587503983772/?type=1&theater

Yew Tree farm from ITV series.

It's never too late courtesy of :- https://www.facebook.com/lessonslearnedinlife/photos/a.109979089073806.15189.109759299095785/915622795176094/?type=1&theater

Isabel Johnstone 2015 ©

The best laid plans...

2014 is about to  come to an end. It’s been an amazing year for me. I've paraglided off a 1,700 metre high mountain, performed as part of the chorus for a performance of the Mikado, sang backing vocals on a CD and sung a solo on WOAPA's annual WOAPA day, to name but a few highlights. I also had the anticipation, as well as the stress, of learning the alto part of the Messiah, which I was due perform, along with some of my fellow WOAPA singers in the Royal Albert Hall at the end of November.

In September after 3 years of talking about it, my hubby and I decided to move house. We put our house on the market and it sold for the full asking price to the first person that viewed it. We put an offer on a house we had fallen in love with the next day and it was accepted. We couldn't believe it. It all seemed too good to be true. 2014 was continuing to be one of our best years yet.

But it’s one of life’s funny little peculiarities that things can change in the  blink of an eye.


Things were progressing along quite nicely and we were looking to move at the end of November. Then on the 16th October everything began to change. A phone call from the estate agent ended our hopes of moving into our lovely new home. Due to a change in their personal circumstances, the vendors had decided not to sell. The following Monday, our buyer pulled out because of an issue thrown up by a survey they'd had carried out. This was a bit of a blow. But worse was to come as around the same time we heard some distressing news about a member of the family who was battling cancer.

This was devastating and certainly put our problem with the house into perspective. The next few weeks proved to be very stressful. I fell behind in my studies and the ongoing situation with the house didn't help.Then, towards the end of November, I began to feel unwell and ended up in hospital with pneumonia. This came as quite a shock, especially when my doctor told me that stress may have been a contributing factor.

All of a sudden, what had been an amazing year, seemed to be going horribly wrong. 

I won't lie. I did go through a phase of feeling sorry for myself, especially when I was in hospital. But then I thought back to the good times I'd had and felt lucky to have had them. This is what life's like. We have good times and we have bad times. I've said in past blogs that the bad times have helped to make me a stronger, hopefully better person. I also reminded myself that I have a choice. I can either choose to let the bad times make me feel down and resentful, or I can choose to remember the good times and use the memories of them to help see me through the bad ones. (See my blog titled 'Golden seams' link below).

But what has this got to do with the list of New Year resolutions at the the beginning of the blog?

When I came across this list on Facebook, I realised that somewhere along the line I'd forgotten how to take care of myself. This might seem selfish. but if we don't look after ourselves, how are we going to be fit enough to look after others? So I'm going to print off this list and put it somewhere that I can see it on a daily basis.

I didn't get to sing the Messiah, but there's always next year. I've learnt that a long as we have our health and the support of family and friends, then life can be an adventure, even if at times things aren't going the way that we'd like them too.

Resolution number 8 says, 'Be kind to yourself,' so we've decided to take our house off the market for the time being. Why put ourselves under undue pressure?

Are there things in your life causing you undue stress? Is there anything that you can do to get rid of it? I challenge you to do so. After all life is short and, at the end of the day, good health is the most important thing any of us can have.

Make 2015 the year you determine to look after yourself. This is one NewYear resolution I intend to keep.








http://isabelj327.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/golden-seams_15.html

Resolutions picture courtesy of:- https://www.facebook.com/LyndaFieldLifeCoach/photos/a.258400014202527.62678.145359422173254/860587503983772/?type=1&theater

Happy New Year picture courtesy of:- https://www.facebook.com/sungazing1/photos/a.136345136520324.30543.136336876521150/469252649896236/?type=1&theater

The secret's out at last. Filming for Oxfam.

Another secret WOAPA project.

Regular readers of my blog will know that I'm a member of WOAPA Adult Singing Group, we hesitate to call ourselves a choir. Over the last three years we've had some great adventures, singing at local beer and music festivals, recording a video for a local farmer and generally just having fun singing. But recently we took part in a project that was so secret, we couldn't even tell those who are nearest and dearest to us.

WOAPA on the day of filming.

Brian and Lou, who run the choir, were approached by the charity Oxfam and asked if WOAPA would be interested in making a video on their behalf. They wanted us to do a special recording of , 'Diggy, diggy hole' a song that a company called Yogcast had made an animated video of for Minecraft . For those of you who, like me, have no idea who Yogcast are, they are a company that record songs and videos to go with video games made by Minecraft. They wanted to present it to Yogcast as way of thanking them for all their support and to let them know how their money had been used to help people.

So it was that on Saturday 25th October, 2014, we all arrived at Cokethorpe school, just outside Witney and made our way to The Shed, Cokethorpes' drama studio. Even before we entered The Shed, the filming started. As I parked my car, I was approached by the cameraman and asked if I would mind reversing out and parking again while he videoed it. Thankfully, that piece of film didn't make the final edit. Parking not being one of my strong points.

Here is a link to the original animated version:-

After an initial briefing by Brian on how the day was going to pan out, including a demonstration on his part of how not to smile inanely if the camera zoomed in for a close-up, which he failed miserably, the sound recording began. After several takes, the sound engineer and Brian, were very pleased with the result and so we broke for lunch, the filming of the video to be done in the afternoon.

Me and my friend Rosie, excited about the recording.

WOAPA is made up of Adults and children of all ages, including some with special needs and these children joined us for the afternoon of filming.To begin with, we were filmed standing in formation and simply singing. Then the fun began. A few of the ladies in the front row were each given a placard which, when read in succession contained a message thanking Yogcast on behalf of Oxfam. These placards were to be lifted up, Mexican wave style to reveal the message. as you can imagine, this was not easily achieved, but eventually the ladies nailed it. But this too didn't make the final edit.

New addition to the singing group

Next three of the older WOAPA boys dressed up, one as a cow, another one as a goat and the third as a bee. They were then placed randomly among the choir and we once again performed the song, desperately trying to keep a straight face. After all what could be more natural than having a cow, goat or bee standing beside you while you're singing? We also had to do a 'take' when we had to mime the actions of digging a hole while singing, which, being the consummate professionals that by this time we'd become, proved to be no problem.

Ladies of a certain age preparing for action.

As in all good videos, there were a couple of other comic bits that didn't make the final cut. For instance, some of the older boys sat around a couple of tables, wearing gold coloured, Viking hats with horns and pretended to look at computer screens. Then every so often on cue they would look at the camera, sing a line of the song, then immediately look away again. This was very funny to watch. but not as funny as when Brian delicately asked for some of the older ladies to come forward and repeat the exercise singing lines of another verse. Somehow I found myself being one of them. But we've since learnt that they are going to be releasing a video of the making of this one, so some of these might make it into that one.

When the cameraman was satisfied that he had enough material to work with, the young woman from Oxfam who'd approached Brian and Lou in the first place,stepped forward and thanked us all. She said that when she was sitting in the meeting and was tasked with finding a choir to record the song, she had no idea that she would find WOAPA. She said that we were phenomenal. We didn't just sing the song as it appears on youtube. Brian had arranged it to include harmonies and though I say it myself, it sounds amazing.

After an exciting day, we all went home, but not before we'd once more been sworn to secrecy. as Oxfam wanted it to be a surprise for Yogcast. With all the secrets I've had to keep this year, Diane's wedding surprise and the recent filming of Downton Abbey at Cogges being two of them, I should apply for a job with MI5. They have now presented the video to Yogcast who were delighted to receive it. They've put it on their vlog, and at the time of writing, it has already been seen by 140,000 people. Oxfam are also using the video to raise money for their current Ebola crisis appeal.

I just want to say a massive thank you to Oxfam for choosing WOAPA to do the video and another one to Brian and Lou for the opportunity to be part of the WOAPA family and being able to be a part of these fantastic experiences.

Videos courtesy of WOAPA

Photo's courtesy of Katja Partridge and WOAPA.

I love my job.

House lit up at night for filming.

One thing I've found working as a volunteer at Cogges is that, you never know what you'll be called upon to do next. I've done some strange things in the past, like chasing escaped turkeys, taking goats for a walk and trawling through undergrowth in pursuit of escaped chickens. But one thing's for sure, it's never dull. Far from it.

Lady Edith and Marigold with farmer Drewe and family

Then there's the filming. It's no secret that Cogges is the setting for Yew Tree Farm, of Downton Abbey fame, where Lady Edith's daughter, Marigold, is, being looked after by Farmer Drewe and his wife.

Art and me.

Cogges is currently being used as the location for another ITV drama. A three part adaptation of 'Arthur and George', a book by the author, Julian Barnes, based on a true story about Arthur Conan Doyle. They've been filming here for nine days and it's almost becoming normal to see Martin Clunes, who is playing the part of Arthur Conan Doyle, and Art Malik, who plays a vicar, the father of the George in question, walking across the farmyard on their way to and from the filming.

Charles, 'Charlie' Edwards

Another actor taking part is Charles Edwards, who played Michael Gregson, the father of Lady Edith's daughter in Downton. He's playing the character of 'Woody', an associate of Arthur Conan Doyle. But his presence at Cogges this week has caused quite a bit of confusion. Apparently, he took a photo of himself outside the house and sent it to the Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith, saying, "Guess where I am?"

New garden under dining room window

Most of the filming has taken place in the house, with the occasional shots taking place outside. A 'new' flowerbed has appeared under the dining room window and a 'new' wall with a gate, beside the dairy lawn.

One evening some filming was to take place outside and a request was made to Colin, the director of Cogges, to supply some of our chickens for the shooting. One of my jobs is to help put the chickens to bed and when I popped along to feed the farm cats, Colin asked me if I would come back later to help with the chickens during the filming. I of course said yes, although I wasn't convinced that the chickens would cooperate.

Martin and me

Using some of the net fencing that surrounds the chickens to stop them from wandering during the day, we cordoned off a section of the grassy area between the dairy and the side of the house, where the filming was to take place. Then a couple of the film crew were called upon to help move the chicken coop, containing the chickens who'd already settled down for the night, inside the fenced off area.

Waiting for the chicken scene to be filmed

I arrived on time at 6.30 to be told that they were running late. No surprise there then. When they eventually did start filming, I had to wait around while they shot another couple of scenes first. One of the things I've observed about filming is that there's a lot of hanging about done by the film crew. But unlike them, who are usually to be seen looking bored and on their mobiles, I was like a kid in a candy store watching everything that was happening, especially when Art Malik and Martin Clunes appeared.

'George' figure wearing hat, waiting for chickens.

Finally, the time came for the chicken' starring role. The Cream Leg Bars are normally the hardest of all the chickens we have at Cogges to put to bed. But this time they didn't want to come out. Colin and I opened up all the doors of the coop and had to coerce the reluctant chickens out. Colin had earlier scattered some food on the grass in an attempt to keep them in place for the filming. but the chickens were having none of it. Despite our best efforts, by the time George had made his way across the grass, the chickens had made their way back to the coop.

With the help of some of the film crew, and with much hilarity, we managed to get them back out again. The camera man quickly called action and finally the scene was shot with 3 out of a possible 6 chickens actually being captured on camera. All this for what will probably be only 30 seconds of film.

Cream Leg Bars, the morning after the night before.

By this time the chickens were clambering to get back inside the coop. Cold, but happy and excited, I made my way home, while the actors and crew moved on to shoot another scene. It was great fun. But I found out that the saying, 'never work with children or animals' is very true. Especially when it comes to chickens.


For anyone interested,Here's a link to an ITV website which gives a synopsis of the plot.

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/martin-clunes-plays-celebrated-author-sir-arthur-conan-doyle-arthur-george

Photos, Isabel's own.

Don't let the fear of failure stop you from trying.

Monday the 20th October 2014, I woke up to the news that the actress and author, Lynda Bellingham had sadly lost her battle with cancer. The media was full of well deserved tributes. Right up to the end Lynda never gave up. When being accused of giving up on life by stopping her chemotherapy treatment, she responded by saying that she was choosing life. By this she meant that she wanted the time she had left to be quality time. It seemed that the treatment had reached a point where the side effects where taking more of a toll on her body than the cancer. She expressed a desire to spend one last Christmas with her family, but sadly this wasn't to be.

But why am I writing this? what has this sad news got to do with me? 

Two years ago I was privileged to meet Lynda when she came to Cogges Manor Farm to film an episode of a series that she was doing called, 'My tasty travels'. For those of you who may not have seen my blog about it, Lynda was travelling the country recording programmes where she was challenged by someone to cook or bake something. Local people were then called upon to judge to see if they preferred Lynda's offerings or that of the challenger.

Lynda and Carole with their pies.

Here at Cogges, Lynda was challenged by Carole, one of the volunteers who cooks on the range in the Victorian kitchen at weekends, to bake a Victorian meat pie, using only authentic Victorian ingredients and cooking it in the oven of the range. I, along with several other volunteers, were filmed tasting the pies and voting on which one we thought tasted the nicest. Lynda's won and she was really pleased. She reckoned that it was the addition of onion chutney to the meat that did the trick.

Lynda with Tim and me.

In a break during the filming, I asked Lynda if I could take a photograph of her. She responded by asking if I'd like one taken with her. I of course said yes. Lynda then organised Tim, another volunteer at Cogges, to come out into the walled garden and take the photograph. After the photograph was taken, I was chatting to her and told her that I had started writing and had hopes of one day publishing a novel. She then confided in me that she was in fact in the middle of writing her first novel. She told me that she'd been approached by a publishing company, on the strength of her autobiography, to write one. She told me that she was aware that it was because she was famous that she'd been given this opportunity, but that she intended to do it to the best of her ability.  A year later, ' Tell me tomorrow' was published.

Lynda and me.

Sadly, unlike Lynda, I haven't written a novel. I've let the fear of failure stop me from even trying. Lynda's untimely passing has reminded me that life is short and we don't know what's around the corner, or indeed how much time we may have left. Lynda encouraged me that 'Ladies of a certain age' should make the most of any opportunities that life brings their way. After all, that's what my blog is all about.

I haven't been a complete wimp. I have taken other opportunities that have come along, like writing this blog, for example, which I'm pleased to say has been added to three recommended blogger's lists, But I've not been brave enough to start that novel- yet.

The world has lost a very special lady . I'll never forget the day I met her, or the encouragement she gave me. Rest in peace Lynda, you'll be sadly missed.

Photo's of Lynda; Isabel's own.

Cat photo; photo courtesy Drumully Irish Arts 

Top secret. Diane's surprise.

Since joining Woapa 3 years ago I have met many wonderful people and made some good friends. Everyone in the singing group is enthusiastic and if asked would probably say that Wednesday evening, when we rehearse, is the highlight of their week. I certainly would. But I think it's fair to say that there's one member of the choir who stands out as being the most enthusiastic.

Diane, (on the right), with her friend and wedding coordinator, Deryn.

This lady missed out on attending last years Woapa day in August because she was in Scotland, but she hurried home on the Sunday to be back in Witney to watch the evening's performance. Then, vexed at having missed out on the day, she requested that the date for the 2014 Woapa day be announced before Christmas in order that she could arrange her holidays to be there. Not only did she make it this year, but she was one of the attendees who entered fully into the spirit of the 80's theme by dressing up.

But there's one particular incident which happened on Saturday 27th September 2014, that definitely qualifies her for title of 'Woapa's most enthusiastic fan'. On this day Diane Iverson married Steve Mullinger and, at her request, the choir performed at the evening reception.

Earlier in the year during a break in singing, Brian announced that Diane had asked if the choir could perform at her wedding. she requested that we perform 2 of our mash ups that were her favourites. A thousand years/Just give me a reason and Venus/Locomotion. That was the plan, but on the night we had a surprise for Diane.

Earlier in the year Diane and Steve had gone on holiday for 2 weeks, which meant that Diane missed 2 choir practises. The first week she was away, we were all issued with a 'Top secret' copy of the words to Angels by Robbie Williams, which Diane's friend, Deryn, also an enthusiastic choir member, said was a particular favourite of Diane's. We had only 2 weeks to practice it, harmonies and all. But being the consummate professionals we are, that didn't faze us, much. Everyone in the choir, except Diane, was emailed a copy of the backing track to enable them to practice at home.

Unfortunately we had the summer holiday break between then and the wedding and a few of the choir members were beginning to panic about remembering their parts. But Diane unwittingly obliged by not being able to attend the last rehearsal before the big day, allowing us to have one last practice.

Those of us who were able to attend, were asked to arrive at 7.30pm, ready to perform at 8.15. but when we arrived the speeches had only just begun and we were told that our performance would be delayed by about an hour. Fortunately, this gave us time to go to the room upstairs, where the ceremony had taken place, and have one final practice.

Diane and Steve's reaction to choir singing angels.

At last the time arrived. We gathered in front of the table where the DJ had set up his decks ready for the disco to follow. The blushing bride took her place with her fellow 'lows' and the performance began. Both mash ups were greeted by rapturous applause, with some guests even dancing along to the Locomotion. Diane then stepped forward to thank us, but instead she and her new husband, Steve were asked to sit down on 2 chairs that had been placed directly in front of the choir. Brian stepped forward and explained to the guests that unknown to Diane we had been practising another song and then the music started. As we began singing, Brian once again stepped forward, only this time he was wearing a Robbie Williams mask. Diane's face was a picture. As we sang, she shook her head in disbelief. Before we'd started singing, Steve had handed her a tissue and this was put to good use.

Mr and Mrs Mullinger.

After we'd finished Diane stood up and told the audience that she was a self confessed control freak, who didn't like surprises, but she was more than delighted with this one. Both Diane and Steve showed their appreciation, by hugging each of the choir members. Steve told us that when we were singing Angels, Diane cried for the first time that day.

I'm sure that I'm speaking for all of the Woapa members who sang that night when I say what an honour and a privilege it was to be there and sing for Diane and Steve on their special day and we wish with all the best for their future together.

Unfortunately, I don't have a video of us singing  Angels, but I do have one of the first Mash up, A thousand years/Just give me a reason. I hope Diane enjoys this blog about a part of her memories of her special day.

Video Isabel's own.

Photo's of Diane from her Facebook timeline

Photo of Diane and Steve's surprise courtesy of Joy Aitman. 

If it's August, it must be Woapa day!

Those of you that follow my blog are aware that one of my passions is singing. I think that I was born singing. Certainly from the age of about eight years old I performed regularly on stage with a local children's drama group, The St Ninian's Junior Concert Party, which is still going strong and in fact, celebrated its 50th anniversary a few years ago. Then, as an adult, I joined a gospel choir called Chord of Love, which I left when I started my family.

For many years,because of family commitments, illness and a fight with the 'black dog' that is depression I didn't do any singing, not even around the house. Then three years ago I was introduced to the West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts Adult singing Group, Woapa for short, and my life has never been the same since.

We meet every Wednesday evening during term time only. Which means that there's a long gap during the summer holidays when there's no Woapa. Apart from one Sunday in August when they run a singing workshop. We spend the day rehearsing several songs and then perform them in the evening, in front of long suffering family and friends. Every year they choose a different theme. The first year was an Abba day, the second was on West End musicals and this year was Songs from the 80's, ranging from the Bangles, through Whitney Houston, Bananarama, Jason and Kylie, and of course, not forgetting Madonna.

Normally, we don’t have any soloists in the singing group, but on this workshop any frustrated Adele's, Katy Perry's or Madonnas, get their chance to show off their talents. Guess what? I was one of them. After all, I am on a mission to prove that life can still be an adventure.

Me singing my solo.

The first year, I did my best Meryl Streep version of Money, money, money. This was the first time in a great many years that I’d performed a solo in public, apart from the odd karaoke when on holiday. Despite a squeaky start, and I mean that literally, I was rewarded with cheers and a round of applause.  An account of this can be found on my blog titled, Abba day. It may even contain video footage. Last year, I sang, You’re just to good to be true, from Jersey boys. The theme for this year being the 80’s, I chose to do Madonna’s, Crazy for you. 

There were more soloists this year than ever before, with one or two very nervous first timers. Lindsay, one of them, told me afterwards that by singing a solo in front of an audience, she had faced one of her biggest fears. She recently told me that she's hoping to do it again next year.

Diane and Deryn

Some of the ladies really threw themselves into the day and dressed up in 80's gear. Diane and Deryn, who performed Manic Monday together, certainly threw themselves into the part.

The lovely Brian and Lou.

Brian and Lou, the couple who run Woapa, had been up until at least midnight the night before, working out the backing singers' parts and harmonies. Yet, you would never have known how tired they must have been, from the enthusiastic way they threw themselves into the day.

Preparing for the performance

The rehearsal went well, the only hitch being a problem with the lighting, but Brian, with the help of one of the young Woapa tutors, soon had it sorted. Then tired, but excited, we finished rehearsing and prepared ourselves for the performance, some of the ladies retiring to the pub for a bit of 'Dutch courage.'

My certificate.

Then it was time for the performance. As family and friends gathered in the hall, we were backstage being presented with our certificates to mark our attendance on the day. Then, lights, camera, action, belting out Whitney Houston's 'Don't you wanna dance', we were off.

Pam doing her saxophone 'solo.'

After what seemed like only five minutes, it was all over. The final song, 'I've had the time of my life', from Dirty dancing, was greeted by rapturous applause by the captive audience. Especially the 'saxaphone solo' mimed by Pam, using a pink inflatable saxophone. I think it's fair to say that a good time was had by all. Practising and performing fourteen songs in one day is hard work, but so much fun. I can't wait to do it again next year. I wonder what the theme will be then?

For the finale, here is a video of me performing 'Crazy for you'. I don't think that Madonna has anything to worry about. :) Plus the added bonus of a video of my personal favourite, 'You're just too good to be true',  with apologies for the poor quality of the video.

Enjoy!

Photos of the day by kind permission of Diane Iverson.
Pam's saxophone photo, Brian from Woapa
Video courtesy of my long suffering hubby, Donald.