Seventeen again

[Kirbstone]

Today is our Summer Solstice and for me it's actually a sad day, because A/ I chalk up yet more mileage on the ol' odometer and B/ the blxxdy days start to go back again, headed inexorably towards the Dark Winter

At my age if you switch the numerical order the figure looks a lot better and memories of that period come rushing back, mostly pleasant, I'm happy to say. (I visited Paris when I was Seventeen for the first time)

As to apparel, unlike many of you my Spouse is a non-believer and I will be required to remain bifurcated throughout the entire day, alas.

I've been summoned to a luncheon party at a local hotel, which will be a sober affair, as I must attack a few patients in the afternoon.
This evening is a full dress rehearsal for our choir/Trad Irish music Summer concert. The theme is 'The Sixties' ad the choir perform SATB arrangements of several Beetles Nos &c.
I have no difficulty finding appropriate garb as I regularly wear shirts & trews which date from then. Stuff from tailoring firms like Chester Barrie were made to last a lifetime.

T.

[Milfmog]

If I'm reading the message correctly it seems that Birthday greetings are in order. I got back from Bruges last night with a couple of bottles of the local ale (including a "Quadrupel" at 11%) so will sink a toast to you tonight with the good stuff.

Have a good one (even if it has to be bifurcated),


Ian.

[pleated]

Congratulations and Happy Birthday.

This evening is a full dress rehearsal for our choir/Trad Irish music Summer concert. The theme is 'The Sixties' ad the choir perform SATB arrangements of several Beetles Nos &c.
I have no difficulty finding appropriate garb as I regularly wear shirts & trews which date from then. Stuff from tailoring firms like Chester Barrie were made to last a lifetime.
T.

So will you be wearing a Kaftan?

[crfriend]

Happy birthday, Tom. Here's hoping to a good many more.

[Kirbstone]

Thank you guys,

Beer with 11% alc sounds like lethal stuff, but I'm sure it tastes wonderful. Bruges is very pretty.

Re: the '60s attire, several of the girls will wear colourful kaftans, the blokes mostly colourful shirts, crevattes & big beads. I'll be wearing a very special shirt displaying all over it the oarblades of all competing clubs at Henley Royal Regatta. More colourful you won't see. Plus a pair of flared '66 vintage trews by Chester Barrie, which is as 'way out' as I'm prepared to go. With this a red Shanty-Choir neck tie with a blue nautical knot at the front.

If our choirmistress has issues with what anybody is wearing it'll be addressed before Concert night, tomorrow.

T.

[skirtyscot]

Happy birthday Tom. Maybe for your present your MM could be converted to your view on skirts? Too much to ask for, I expect.

But have any of your fellow singers or oarsmen or your patients ever seen you skirted, and if so, what do they make of it?

[Uncle Al]

Tom

Uncle Al

[Kirbstone]

Thanks, Uncle Al.

...and as to my choir & rowing friends....only those who attended a Twelfth Night party a couple of Januaries ago would have seen me as a kilted 'Lord-a-leaping', borrowed bagpipes having not made an appearance, so I couldn't be a 'Piper piping'.
Otherwise I don't flaunt my skirts in public at all. I'm certainly nothing like as brave as you, SkS.

Rehearsal over and we're back in reasonable time. Being involved in the Trad Irish group as well as the choir, some deft footwork is required at the changeover points so I can leave my place in the Tenors and take up my seated in the front position to blow my whistles with the group. It'd be a challenge to do that wearing a Kaftan!!

Anyway, by this time on the Morrow, all will be over, bar the party afterwards, of course, for which my piece will be that well-known Operatic Aria: 'Have some Madiera, M'Dear!' by Flanders & Swan.

T.