Not quite dropped off the face of the earth....

....but at some points its felt like it!

Grappling with the vagaries of getting an Internet connection meant radio silence after the blogging frenzy of the first part of the voyage yesterday.

After a smooth ferry crossing of 90 minutes (spent by your intrepid reported in Langham's brasserie for a tip-top champagne breakfast, along with a fair sized possy from the choral ranks) we boarded the bus, Ben P masterfully demonstrating the art of last minute timing by leaping aboard just as we were marshaled off the board by the men in hi-viz jackets.

And then how do describe the next 8 hrs on the coach?
red wine (for the naughty boys and girls on the back seat)
a highly contested game of trivial pursuit with the most amazing range of 1980s pop triv questions
melting Camembert and Stilton

oh, and did I mention the traffic - miles and miles of it all around the Brussels ring road throwing the kibosh at any of the intricate plans. Mr Blaker, I concede defeat!

planned arrival 1800, actual arrival 2000. Oh dear! Last minute scuffles to start the rehearsal as prompt as possible and much logistical malarkey to get the right bags to the right hotel...and we made it!

More on the rehearsal anon, other than to say that it never ceases to amaze me how you can get off the bus in a different country, surrounded by different people in a place you've never been to before, open up your copy and mouth and suddenly be united by the music. Great.


Not sure if any one went clubbing after the rehearsal (!) but chairman's award #2 must go to Alfie Hay for providing the Unterscmitterites with a life saving slap-up supper.

Now a sunny Saturday morning, and fruhstuck has been delivered to the hotel room. Herr Kapellmeister Dawes has surfaced, after a night of coping with someone snoring very loudly (sorry!) - and we're recharged and ready to play on day two....


PS Two questions to play with before the next blog....

1. How much does a taxi from Reading to Dover cost?
2. Name the choir member who, going on concert trip to perform the Messiah, bring a copy of Elijah instead?


PPS STOP PRESS - Great news: ts confirmed that soprano reinforcements are flying in today in the form of Fi Harding. Hooray!!