Early This Morning

The rest of the house was quiet, because its other inhabitants had stayed up until one a.m. looking at the Mousehole Male Voice Chior on YouTube. One song led to the next, and the next, until they vectored on to other Male Voice Choirs, ALL FROM CORNWALL. They were becoming quite seriously hooked.


But the SconeLady sat making plans and drinking her tea. She loved the MMVC just as much as they did, but there were things for her to do, important things, because this would be a Very Important Day. The SconeLady's husband was coming to town!

A lady wants to have things right when her gentleman is traveling thousands of miles just to see her. She must have her clothing in order, the room made up and comfortable, and - very importantly - food! For that part of it, she had help, lots and lots of it. The ladies and I decided that we would have 'bits' for dinner. 'Bits' may not sound like much to anyone else, but when the bits are exquisitely delicious and enormously satisfying, your mouth begins to water just thinking of them. Our bits consisted of:

• stir fried chicken salad with a Lime Cilantro dressing
• broiled Hake (for you Americans, Hake is a tender white fish without its head on)
• fish stew (from 'our Em', a lovely cook)
• sliced and broiled potatoes (created by friend Rosie, of high cooking fame)
• broiled peppers and carrots
• apple and blackberry crumble (friend Rosie. Wow.)

Anyone would be happy with those bits, don't you think? When the SconeLady's husband came in the door and down the kitchen stairs (it is in the basement of this quirky 4 story cottage), he said, "What is that fantastic smell?" or words to that effect. We all trooped down, and dug right in.

During the festivities, friend Rosie and our Em (who, of course, are sisters) explained to the new arrival all about the MMVC and how much fun it was to listen to them. They had stayed up so late listening to them that there were lots of things they knew now that the SconeLady did not. I am going to have to stay up till one a.m. one of these days, and catch up.

The story came out that on one visit to the rehearsal, the SconeLady had gently been informed (at least I think this is what the Director said - one can never be certain..) that the choir members would be sitting in the chairs facing the stage, and that the SconeLady would be sitting - yep, UP ON THE STAGE. We thought this was so funny that we laughed until we had to stop and draw breath. It really was funny when it happened because it was just as though the 80 male voices were singing RIGHT AT ME, and I, not knowing what else to do, laughed and clapped at the end of their songs. It was the most splendid performance. I think they liked it as much as I did.

After our dinner of bits, we heard from Tony, who is going to take us all on a Moors Tour, tomorrow. We can hardly wait. A Moors Tour will be a highlight of our time in Cornwall, we are certain of that. And we will be sure and remember to Never leave the path, or else terrible things might happen.

But I don't think any terrible thing, such as us becoming Werewolfs, could possibly ever happen on those moors.

They are Cornish moors. They don't come any better.

See you along the way!

the SconeLady