A drop of Grape Juice before the Gig
The violins take a bow
Then the Cellos
After a little Dvorak and Beethoven the 'conductor' takes his bowJust to catch up on a few more photos, these are from the excellent musical evening at the Tallinn Concert Hall
There wasn't a hope in hell of getting a post on Saturday, it was a day filled to the brim and a great time we all had to boot. After a late and lazy start and an Ille cooked breakfast, described by her as what her father ate every morning of his life, we met Herkko and visited a local flea market where we picked up yet more hats - see them when I'm next in the 'field'. Both he and Helis, his lady, live close by so it was off to their place for and Italian main course, followed by chocolate pudding (like the old chocolate these Estonians) and a drop of Jameson's Irish Whiskey.
and the breakfast I hear you ask? 6 fried eggs, 10 rashers of bacon, marinaded mushrooms, enough fried spuds (Ille grown) to sink a Battle Wagon, 3 slices of toast, 2 glasses of her own Red Current cordial and 2 cups of coffee. No wonder her dear old dad was cut down in his prime at 97, how could anyone expect to live long eating like that??
There wasn't a hope in hell of getting a post on Saturday, it was a day filled to the brim and a great time we all had to boot. After a late and lazy start and an Ille cooked breakfast, described by her as what her father ate every morning of his life, we met Herkko and visited a local flea market where we picked up yet more hats - see them when I'm next in the 'field'. Both he and Helis, his lady, live close by so it was off to their place for and Italian main course, followed by chocolate pudding (like the old chocolate these Estonians) and a drop of Jameson's Irish Whiskey.
and the breakfast I hear you ask? 6 fried eggs, 10 rashers of bacon, marinaded mushrooms, enough fried spuds (Ille grown) to sink a Battle Wagon, 3 slices of toast, 2 glasses of her own Red Current cordial and 2 cups of coffee. No wonder her dear old dad was cut down in his prime at 97, how could anyone expect to live long eating like that??
Helis & Herkko at homeAfter we decided on a taxi home, but on the way side stepped for a nightcap at the recently opened Clazz Jazz Cafe. Superseding the recently defunct Guitar Safari it does have the same atmosphere without any of the Rock & Roll memorabilia. Despite the good intent it became apparent there was a 7 piece Cuban combo (Baila la Habana) playing at 22-30 so we decided to stay for just one number. Cinderella had departed long before we hit the night air, and without a single 'pumpkin', or a team of white mice in sight we had to walk home.
2 pints of Saku and a packet of crisps
Baila la Habana
Ditto
Ditto
Some people just like blowing their own trumpet
"and for the 2 ladies over in the corner, this ones just for you"Despite the light drizzle it was a most pleasant walk back to Ille's place, and we decided on a few photies on the way.
A neat present for the biggest 'stirrer' in town
"Bagsy the soups ready"As for today, most of it has been spent traveling to the coast on the Gulf of Riga. Tallinn to Haapsalu is 100 Km and took just under 2 hours on the coach. There we had a 2 hour 30 minute wait, so we set off on our first 'birding' sortie to the seashore. Most of what was seen could be put down to 'usual fair', but from the waters edge we saw a decent size skein of White-fronted Geese, and also in good numbers Gooseander, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Cormorant, Coot, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker. The highlight came as we walked back through the town where the calling of a dozen Waxwing alerted us to their presence. There was time to visit the Railway Museum before the bus arrived, and while Ille is making giant steps with her English tuition, I couldn't help laughing at the Spoonerism as she described it as the 'Stail Ration, he he. Just 35 minutes onward to Altmoisa and a 5 minute stroll to the hotel. Major restoration work was underway, but not surprisingly as the season was over several weeks ago. Mine hosts checked us in, showed us our room and suggested a walk along the planked area on marsh adjacent and on to the bird viewing platform. We clocked a Snipe and a few Fieldfare on the way, but apart from a lone Mute Swan and another group of Geese flying in it was all but barren. Back at the hotel dinner consisted of salmon for main course and very tasty home made ice cream for pudding. We were given a complimentary bottle of white and then made for some rest. That is where I'm going now. GOOD NIGHT!
Waxwings @ Haapsalu
At the Loco Shed
DittoDouble Entendres Continued
Mike Hallett discussing missed snooker shots on 'Sky Sports': 'Stephen Hendry jumps on Steve Davis's misses every chance he gets.'
Michael Buerk on watching Philippa Forrester cuddle up to a male astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: 'They seem cold out there.They're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts.'
Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: 'Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny; other weeks he prefers to do it by himself.'
Michael Buerk on watching Philippa Forrester cuddle up to a male astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: 'They seem cold out there.They're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts.'
Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: 'Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny; other weeks he prefers to do it by himself.'
