soul song choir

Bristol

/ brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

The choir travelled today. On the bus by 9 we left in drizzly rain. We are supposed to be doing several pop up performances but if it rains there will be no audience.

First stop was for a Bansky street art ! A busy artist his work pops up everywhere.

Banksy in Bristol

Off to the Clifton suspension bridge. The hardy climbers went down 130 steps to a cave to view the bridge from a different angle. But I was happy up top.

We lined up along the wall and did two songs for a small but appreciative audience!

Back on the bus to the centre of Bristol and another bit of Banksy street art

We walked towards the river and set up for a pop up concert but it rained. So along the wharf for lunch and a wine.

We tried again after lunch and succeeded.

The highlight of the day was going to St Stephen’s Cathedral. we had been invited uk join a local choir for a concert in the cathedral.

They made us so welcome. their musical director. Beth is from Brisbane but living in Bristol. Our Musical Dircector Jac is from this area but lives in Brisbane.

They made contact and set up this joint concert.

We rehearsed the song we were to sing together ‘What the World Needs Now’ It sounds great. And the choir. – all women were so friendly.

Each one of us received a hand written post card from one of the choir. What a thoughtful thing to do.

We also were treated to a cream sherry. Delicious and were told it is medical. Good for singers throat.

The concert started and we sat in the church and listened.

They sang about 5 songs. Then our turn.

The acoustics in the church were beautiful. I’m sure it enhanced our singing.

We finished with our joint song. What a great experience. I think this will be a highlight of our tour.

Back on to the bus to Bath and a few photo opportunities. The Royal Crescent is as i remember from 1976. Very elegant. Though the grass was under construction. A Robbie Williams concert is coming up so they were constructing the stage.

We walked as a raggedy group towards the city centre. Passing the Jane Austen Centre. It’s the 250th Anniversary for Jane and there are special celebrations everywhere

A group of girls emerged all dressed in period costumes which is a better sight than some of the hens groups we have seen around Brighton and now Bath.

Some outrageous and sometimes tacky dress ups have been spotted!

It was more Gin o’ clock so we found a great gin bar and tried a few of the gin combinations. We paid for 1 but after awhile the waitress appeared with a trio of different gins and a bottle of tonic.

Yes please we all said!

A delicious rhubarb gin with ginger ale!

A slow walk through town to meet David and Steve.

Fell into bed exhausted.

Busy Bath 🎶🎶🎶

/ brisbanefrannie / 6 Comments

I’m a little behind with my blogging! It’s been super busy. Making our way towards our next stop we covered some beautiful coast line.

Port Isaac home to Doc Martin.

We walked up hill and down stairs to get to Tintagel Castle. Built in 1230. It’s on the coast and was the seat of the Cornish kings.

Further on the coast we stopped at

Ilfracombe harbour
Verity: Virtue & Justice. Sculpture by Damien Hirst.

We spent the next night at Minehead. This is the start point of the great Coastal Walk and was featured in the movie The Salt Path.

The next morning was clear as we drove to Bath. It’s beautiful countryside. Green. Fields defined by hedges , narrow roads , little villages. Stopped at Cheddar. Home to the Cheddar Cheese! Naturally we bought some. We found our village in Bath and met Ros and David in the Main Street having coffee!

We were able to check in around 1 and found the apartment was perfect for the four of us. A few stairs! But a very convenient location- just near the hall where our first work shop was held.

A quick lunch with a few of the soul singers and Ros and I headed off to the a capella workshop. We left David and Steve to do the laundry!

David & Steve with the laundry bags. With Jac our musical director!

The workshop was fabulous. We worked on two songs with Laura, a local choir MD. She was beautiful. So encouraging and so good at directing us. We learned Little Shop of Horrors and Bring Him Home from Les Miserables. It was a joy.

After working hard all afternoon we then walking into the main city and did a few pop ups.

Some our Soul Song buddies.

Trying to attract a crowd to promote our two concerts on Saturday. We were singing up a storm. And feeling cold. Even though it should be summer.

Singers getting organised.
Rugby supporters crossing the bridge to the grounds. Walking through supporters smoke!

Our final pop up was at the entrance to Pulteney Bridge There was a huge Rugby match between Bath and rivals Bristol from just down the road! The pubs were pumping? The crowds out in their blue, black and white supporters jerseys. We set up at the entrance to the bridge and even attracted a small crowd.

Dinner was a well deserved jug of Sangria and tapas! then a walk home to bed. After a long catch up with Ros and David.