Turandot at the Royal Opera House ... a wonderful birthday gift.

Following our meal at Clos Maggiore my husband and I headed across Covent Garden to the Royal Opera House. The night was crisp and cold and small groups of tourists sat together in pavement cafes. We strolled hand in hand over the cobbled pavements and I don't think the smile left my lips. Part of me wanted my birthday to go on and on forever and I was determined to enjoy every last second.

My husband had booked tickets for the opera months ago as a surprise and we were both excited. The Royal Opera House is an incredible building, dripping in history and walking in there sends a frisson of excitement through my body every time. Its a place that seems bathed in the magic of the operas and ballets that have been performed there since 1732 originally and 1946 in the current building.

We walked in and ordered two glasses of champagne - like you do when you're 50.

We drank a toast and gazed around at the bustling throngs of theatre goers in this gorgeous glass building. There is a sense of being somewhere very special here and I loved watching the women go by in their gorgeous dresses, wafting perfume and glamour! 

And then it was time to go in ... I couldn't believe the seats my husband had booked - Circle Stall with a magnificent view of the stage.

Before my birthday I have to admit that I had no idea of the story of Turandot, but I looked it up and its a love story!! If you follow this link you can have a little taste of Puccini's music and of the Royal Opera House's production - behind the scenes, the story of Turandot.

I sat transfixed by the performance. I am not an opera buff - far from it, but I was so moved by Turandot. It is incredible how music can touch your soul. The artists on stage had me mesmerised and as I listened the tears streamed down my face. Somehow their voices soared to the rafters of the Opera House and on their way they touched my soul.

My very favourite scene was the death of Liu, the slave girl, played by Ailyn Perez. In the story she is tortured by Princess Turandot's soldiers to reveal the name of Prince Calaf, with whom Liu is in love. She refuses to give in and would rather die than betray her love. In this clip you can see Katia Ricciarelli singing the role of Liu. Its a longish clip and I preferred Ailyn Perez, but its still beautiful.

Irene Theorin played Turandot and her voice moved me too. I just don't know how a human body can produce a sound of such stunning power and beauty.

Alfred Kim played Prince Calaf and at the end of the second Act he sings Nessun Dorma - the music of which is repeated in the Finale. If you can imagine the whole ensemble singing, the orchestra playing ... it was wonderful.

I have realised at the ripe old age of 50 that you don't have to be clever or dead cultured to enjoy opera... the reason it has been successful and popular for so many years is that the music is stunning, it touches your heart and the stories are easy to understand. I loved my birthday treat and its memory will stay with me forever.

I am so lucky that my husband had such a brilliant idea ... he's a keeper!!!

My 50th birthday - pancakes and the most Romantic restaurant in London.

Having been treated to Afternoon Tea at the start of my birthday week things just got better and better.

My birthday dawned blue skied and full of sunshine with my husband and sons treating me like a princess. As it was Shrove Tuesday my man cooked pancakes for breakfast and I shrugged aside my healthy eating to enjoy a pancake with lemon and sugar - complete with candle!!

I went to work and was greeted by my friends who had draped the door of the classroom with a 50 banner and provided fizzy non alcoholic drinks. They sang me Happy Birthday, made me laugh like a drain and generally made me feel brilliant!

Mid morning and a huge bouquet of flowers arrived from my husband and boys. How very lovely!! Apparently it was because I was worth it!!

Early evening and I headed off to London with my husband to the restaurant voted Most Romantic in London 2014 - Clos Maggiore.

We waited for our table in an ante room surrounded by crystal bottles of fine brandy and whiskey.

We chose our starters of scallops for me and crab for my husband ... and they were delicious!!

For our main courses we chose slow roasted belly of veal, which was to die for and my choice - guinea fowl. This was served with savoy cabbage and bacon and dauphinois potatoes - simply yummy! I have to admit that at this point I completely forgot to take a photo as we were enjoying both the food and the wine - chosen expertly by our sommelier!

Luckily I remembered to take photos of the pudding. I don't usually go for dessert, but I could not resist chocolate fondant with roasted pears, pear puree and pear and saffron sorbet. Scrumdiddlyumptious!! My man chose mille feuilles with ice cream.

At this point I was comfortably full and feeling blissfully happy. We ordered coffees which came with petits fours served on a slate.

The restaurant lived up to its reputation as the most Romantic Restaurant in London, but not in a naff way. It was cosy and welcoming and not just full of canoodling couples!! Our table was private and the staff were discreet, but friendly. In the main part of the restaurant there is a glass roof that opens up in the summer for al fresco dining. In the winter a roaring fire crackles in the hearth in the middle of the room. All of this creates a lovely ambience.

From here we strolled across Covent Garden to the Royal Opera House ...  and I will tell you about that in my next post!!

Romeo and Juliet at the Globe Theatre.

We did lots of things in Half Term break, and I shall endeavour to write about them over the next few days, as the weather has closed in and the British Summer appears to be over for this year...


Last Sunday we went to the Globe Theatre to see Romeo and Juliet. I had never been there before and I have to recommend it to anyone who gets a chance to visit. The day was glorious, sunny and warm and we began by taking a stroll along the South Bank of the Thames. There was music playing and the boys played on the beach that appears at low tide.


Then we ate at the Pizza Express next door to the Globe. And you could not have asked for a better view. From my seat I gazed out across the Thames to St Pauls Cathedral - absolutely beautiful. We ate well and drank chilled Chardonnay before strolling next door for the play.




How marvelous to sit in a theatre, open to the summer air, as audiences did 400 years ago. There were no microphones, no light shows - just great acting and atmosphere. We all enjoyed the play thoroughly, even the children and as we toddled back to the car the sun set behind St Pauls.