Battle

We went to the Moonlight parade of the Battle of Flowers this year, as we normally do. The fireworks were amazing, though fiercely loud. Even standing there marvelling I couldn't help worry about the pets, elderly, children, ill and shift-workers in the vicinity who were probably disturbed. Lets face it, the hospital is not that far away - although I am not sure if there are still "quiet please" signs around the hospital as there used to be.

As for the parade itself, I missed last years stilt walkers. Somehow men in drag on segways chucking sweets didn't quite have the magic of the odd birds and other animals, picking their strange two or four legged way down the arena last year and bending to peer into the faces of spectators.

The parade always takes a while to get going, but this year it never did seem to get into full swing - the floats that were there were fabulous, but between them it seemed very flat. Maybe it was just the crowds - were were packed like sardines, and that created its own set of expectations, but maybe it was the music - very few floats had music that was actually properly audible - even if the dancers were singing along. My daughter kept reminding me of "puppet on a string" that was blaring from a float a few years ago, and which she was singing for months afterwards.

I know - I complain the fireworks are too loud, then that the floats are too quiet!

Waterfront Pool

The pool at the waterfront is down to £200,000 of the £600,000 given them to start the pool off, and apparently we should be ready to give them more, as the pool hasn't earned as much money as was forecast, and costs more to run.

We were there yesterday, arriving about 3pm, and the pool was heaving. I was actually a bit concerned about my kids as the pool was so full. I used to take my two to lessons there as well, along with what seemed like half the island, and I have shot down to the pool at lunchtime to do laps, and the pool seemed to be running at fair capacity then, so I do wonder why the pool takes in less money than expected - it seems to be used.

Squished

We went to the Opera House tonight to see Dial M for Murder. Very impressive - much better than the review in the JEP sounds. I overheard lots of praise as we made our way out. But the seats are so squished together. We were first row dress circle tonight, able to look down at everyone sitting with coats and bags bundled on their laps, struggling if someone needed to pass them. We had sweets with us, and there was nowhere to park them. I couldn't help but think affectionately of the seats at Cineworld, where there is ample room, and well as little cubbies for drinks/sweets on each seat. In my seat, which was verging sideways on the stage, I had to twist slightly sideways to get a good view, but doing that made the arm of the chair dig into me.

Opera House woes

Last night I was shivering in the audience watching Tunes of Glory. The opera house was a wee bit on the cold side, and as the play is set in winter, it wasn't long before I was cold through and through. The actors smoke on stage at time. I wonder if there is an exemption for the new non-smoking law that allows that, or if we were watching the law being broken?

I did feel for the actors in their kilts on such a cold night.