We will see. On Saturday night we are going to a masked ball ! It’s the first we have ever been to, and is a creation of the Anglo-Belgian Society. It’s actually a black-and-white masked ball, in homage to the famous Truman Capote ball in New York in the 1950s.
So black tie for the gentlemen, and any black and white creation for the ladies. (I suppose the white dinner shirt fulfills the mandate for the gentlemen).
Then there are the masks. Despite many visits to Venice, we have never acquired any – most of them are terrible kitsch. I suggested a quick trip to La Serenissima might be in order to buy our masks, but that did not fly with the Treasurer, who found her feathery mask on line. I trolled around London and eventually found a rather plain burglar-style mask, which has been spruced up with silver “eyebrows”. Mine was more of a problem as I wear glasses …
If they are satisfactory, I have the courage, and I have time, I’ll post some discreet photos after the ball …
I say “have time” as on Monday, we are off to Norway to cruise from Bergen up the coast all the way to the North Cape (on a vessel called Nordkap) to Kirkenes, 10 kms from the Russian frontier. We fly into Oslo, give a distant wave to Holly, Misty and Vesla, then train to Bergen. I did that trip many years ago and loved it.
It will of course be quite cold towards the north, but we are looking forward very much to seeing the wild landscape – sometimes southern Europe is just too farmed and neat.
In London, it has suddenly become a wonderful warm spring. The gardens are looking wonderful with masses of daffodils, crocuses (croqui?) and so forth, and it’s been a balmy 15-16 C during the day. A relief after what seemed like a very long winter.
PS: By happy chance, the Norway trip starts just after the first Grand Prix of the 2011 season, this weekend in Melbourne (the first, courtesy of the problems in Bahrain having cancelled the scheduled first race) and ends before the second race in Malaysia. Would have been difficult to have to hear it only on shortwave radio, or suchlike.
I remember masses of naturalized daffodils on the sides of the expressways when I took a March trip to York years ago. Here in Riyadh the roses are in full bloom.
Was there any Belgian chocolate at the ball?
Are we going to have a chronicle of that Belgian evening?
Are there any (discreet) photos?
Yes, please do post photos/description.
The daffodils make me envious.
Just back from a fabulous sea voyage to Norway – Oslo to Bergen by train and then a Hurtigruten mail/cruise boat from Bergen up the coast and fjords to the North Cape – lovely weather and absolutely calm seas – even in the notorious Barent’s Sea …
I also caught a brief glimpse of the ice shards sculpture in Oslo Harbour.
I shall report soon.
The Norwegians were all absolutely charming.
So:
AJP. Yes there was extremely delicious chocolate, of which I indulged more than my diabetes monitor (who was wearing a feathered mask and carrying grandmother’s ostrich feather fan) approved.
Julia: A few photos, all naturally very discreet … I will post.
mab: ditto.
For both of those I have to download from my camera, which will also involve downloading hundreds of photos of the Norway trip to sort !