Well this year there’s something to cheer up Osbert Lancaster’s Lord and Lady Grumpy.
“But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined … “ (Macbeth, Act 3, Scene 4)
Wednesday 11th March
Last lunch out, at the Kildare Street and University Club in Dublin; last taxi journey, to the airport; last flight, to Heathrow and last tube journey on the Piccadilly line to Barons Court.
Friday 13th March
Last hospital appointment.
Saturday 14th March
Last dinner party.
Sunday 15th March
Last visit to a pub; The White Swan in Conington.
Cancellations
Dinner party, Loriners’ Spring lunch, having friends to stay for Loriners’ lunch, Northern Rangers’ dinner at Barmeath, Benevolent Society committee meeting, a Goddaughter’s 18th birthday party, a walk and lunch with friends, dentist, Sunday lunch at home with friends, Wine Society delivery, Chalfont St Giles Literary Festival, PG Wodehouse Society committee meeting, Opera Holland Park, Queen’s Club Championships. No word about the Proms.
Conclusion
I am extremely fortunate to be living at home in a comfortable, terraced house with a small back garden that I can use when the weather warms up. The Times, WeekendFT, The Spectator and The Oldie are delivered, the cellar is well-stocked and there are victuals in ‘fridge and cupboard. Best of all I have Robert and Bertie to keep me company. I worry about friends living alone and friends who are not well but I feel helpless, unable to do much except follow the government’s guidance.
Now something to perk us up from John Psandoe Books in Chelsea.
What Ho, friends of John Psandoe’s!
To offer some good cheer in trying times, we are announcing Wodehouse Wednesdays: a weekly triple bill of extracts read by our very own John de Falbe. Every Wednesday, three new readings will stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and on our website. Listen to the first three episodes here.
Bravo Psandoe!
Thank you for the Wodehouse link. It is read beautifully.
I have always been puzzled as to why Galahad and Freddie are Honourables, and not Lord Galahad and Lord Frederick. Lord Emsworth’s sisters are Lady Constance and Lady Julia, as one would expect. Is this explained anywhere?
Dear Christopher,
Like you I lament the cancellation of many planned events I had been looking forward to, and the prospect of my summer peregrination now seems improbable, however to keep oneself of good cheer I have been contemplating the positive effects the various lock downs & travel restrictions will have on our environment.
Thank you for the introduction to Wodehouse Wednesday, nothing like a good dose of dear old Plum to save the mind from unhinging during this cordon sanitaire.
I would like, if I may, to promote another resource which some of your respected readers may be interested in. St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin are broadcasting live lunchtime organ recitals each Monday & Friday at 1pm via their online video-stream. Log on to the Cathedral website & click on video stream on Monday & Friday at the allotted time and you can enjoy hearing the ‘king of instruments’ played by various organists. Today’s programme featured works by Liszt, Brahms & Reger, and although no substitute for being there in persona, I feel the distinctiveness of the live broadcast is much superior to any edited recording. I also have the pleasure of attending a live choral concert each morning, viz. the dawn chorus; Carpe Diem.