Glyndebourne an Opera Spectacular

June 3, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

I’ve always wanted to go to an opera at Glyndebourne. It’s an opera house set in the Sussex countryside.

https://www.glyndebourne.com/about-us/introduction-to-glyndebourne/

It’s famous for its world class opera set in beautiful grounds with atmosphere to match.

People traditionally dress in evening wear and dinner suits. But these days it is acceptable to wear other options!

Our hosts Bill and Marie France have been attending Glyndebourne for many years. In fact MF showed me a picture of herself there for her 40th birthday.

We set off early …. First stop was for Rocky their wire haired dachshund who was going to ‘day care’ as he’s a new puppy and can’t be left for long periods and we were going to be gone hours!

We arrived as the gates opened. All in Bills plan to secure a well located picnic table – in the sun and out of the wind.

All ages are represented! Not just the ‘older’ opera lovers. It’s a real occasion. You arrive early to secure a picnic spot. Bill knows how to find the best spots! You get a table and bring all your own picnic food and drinks.

We enjoyed a few glasses of champagne and nibbles before strolling the grounds….. and for me people watching.

We entered the main room of the old house which founder John Christie built in 1935.

Our friends Ros – in the choir with me and husband David joined us and we made our way around the opera house and into our seats.

It’s a new looking building with every seat enjoying a good view. We were in the dress circle. Some of us in the front row and David and Ros just 2 rows back.

The first two acts were wonderful. A more modern production than I’ve seen before with a superb young cast.

Interval came and is 1.5 hrs long allowing you to return to your picnic area ( or one of the restaurants on site) and enjoy some food and wine.

MF provided us with a delicious picnic. She had everything prepared and packed cleverly in glass jars! Bill had beautiful French wines. How spoilt we are.

We had gazpacho, followed by a prawn salad and finished with a deconstructed strawberry cheese cake. Just wonderful.

The bells rang and we returned to the theatre.

One of my favourite dresses of the night. A long jacket, silk and embellished.

I spotted men in heavy brocade jackets, sparkly dresses, bare strapless gowns ( they must have been so cold) and lots of wraps being put to good use.

The second half was highly entertaining, lots of funny subtitles helped, though with the superb acting you knew what was going on!

It all finished around 8 and even exiting the grounds it was easy to do. So well organised.

What a fantastic night. Definitely a dream come true.

Soul Song Choir at the Brighton Fringe

June 2, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

The day started early with a pop up performance for our choir. Today at the Brighton Bandstand.

Yesterday we attracted a great crowd of people who joined in clapping along, singing and even dancing. We were at the Brighton Pier.

Our friends who live in Brighton came along to support. It was great to see Lou and her friends. We have made so many lovely friends through our swimming holiday and several live here. The owner Simon’s wife Lou arrived with her kids and a few friends.

They wore their sparkly clothes. Jac, our director, was envious of the sparkly jacket one of the girls had on. Especially as Jac’s bag had gone missing from her flight over and all her props for our Fringe show were in her bag !

I quickly asked Lou if Jac could borrow the jacket. Next minute….

My friend Yves came along today with partner Liz and his little boy. Two year old Laurie liked the singing so much he joined me on stage. He was humming along with great enthusiasm.

Next stop was a shopping centre. The acoustics were great and again lots of people joined in.

Particularly popular was our moveable version of Love Is in the Air.

Third stop was in the gardens at the Royal Pavilion.

A big day. The Saturday crowds were surging! There were hens parties all over town, kids licking ice creams, buskers playing on every street corner. People were getting used up seeing us…… the Aussie singers.

Steve went off to Lewes to check out the castle …. And the brewery. It’s only 25 minutes away. I went back with Ros to her apartment ( we left our air BnB this morning )as we needed to rest before tonight’s BIG concert.

Excitement mounted. The sound check went well. We had a frozen margarita to calm the nerves and then ….., the doors opened, the crowd arrived. Six of my friends arrived keen to join the fun.

And away we went. Our Bangers and Mashup concert was a huge hit. The crowd danced and clapped, joined in the singing 🎶 and enjoyed the bar!

200 people joining in You’re the Voice

Finishing around 10.30 we drove back to our friends Bill and Marie France about 35 minutes away.

A big night followed by a big sleep in!

After a slow start the next day e enjoyed our friend’s garden.

They are having an open garden and garden party soon so it’s looking great. A lot of love has gone into this garden.

We’ll enjoy our few days here before heading v off towards Bath for the next Fringe concert. 🎶

Farley House with Friends

May 31, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Have you seen the movie Lee ? Starring Kate Winslet as American Lee Miller the former model, then America photojournalist during WW2.

It’s a fascinating story I first heard from her son Antony Penrose when he came to Australia with ArtsNational ( former ADFAS). Last year the film was released.

Lee married Roland Penrose and they lived in Farley House in East Sussex. They led amazing lives. Friends with the artistic community of the day, Picasso was a frequent visitor to their house along with Man Ray.

Before we headed to Chiddingly our friend Bill Murie met us at Swim Trek headquarters. For those who follow along you’ll know Steve and I have done about 8 swim treks over the years. Check back in the blog and you’ll read about them.

Bill we met in Galapagos with Alex also from this area. Alex gave up law and like Lee Miller became a photojournalist working in Mexico City. in some very dangerous places. She’s an amazing young woman. In the blog when I first met her I described her as a whip smart lawyer!

The Sea Lanes pool in the beach in Brighton.

We met up with Simon Murie, Bills son at SeaLanes an amazing complex in the beach. It has a heated pool and several ‘cabins’ for office headquarters, a yoga studio, restaurant, bar, massage areas and little nooks and crannies to sit out of the wind. It’s a credit to Simon and another partner to work with the Council to develop this leisure hub.

Alongside Bill and Simon Murie at SwimTrek Headquarters.

After a tour with Simon we headed off to Farley House to meet Alex and Bills friend Adrian.

As you can see the skies were grey and it was very chilly!

The house tour was great. But no Photos allowed. So go onto the website https://www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk/people/lee-miller/

The house was an eclectic mix of art works and travel memorabilia. A Picasso tile roughly grouted in above the stove !

Many art works by artist friends and lee’s husband Roland Penrose a surrealist painter.

There is also a gallery of Lees photos along with photos by Man Ray of their decadent summers spent in the South of France before the war.

The garden is filled with sculptures.

Two hours immersion into the life of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose sent us hungry to The Gun. Yet another old country pub.

A great first day in the UK. Let’s hope the weather improves! We are singing on Brighton Pier tomorrow!

Brighton UK turns on the Sun….

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 6 Comments

We’ve been hearing about the miserable weather in Brighton but today the sun is out. What a lovely welcome.

The flight from Singapore was in 2 sections 7 hours to Abu Dhabi a stop for an hour and a half. Stretch the legs then a bigger flight – 7 hours. Bonus. I slept.

Arriving into London with blue skies was a treat. It’s always exciting looking out the window down onto the Thames.

We caught the train into London and then the National rail train to Brighton. Stopping for coffee we were surprised at the costs! ( an outrageous $19. For 2 coffees! ) at Heathrow , got cash, started the eSIM and we were in Brighton by 11.

It’s so old world ‘English seaside’ vibe. Lots of people. The smell of fish and chips. Lots of dogs and a ton of people down by the pebbly waterfront eating fish and chips and licking ice cream.

We had a bite to eat in a great cafe then walked. And walked. I’d read about an area called North Laine. It’s an area of traffic free streets with outdoor stalls, lots of quirky shops, cafes, vape shops, cannabis outlets, boho and homewares. All together. Great fun.

We saw the area with lots of tents including the Spiegeltent for Fringe Festival shows.

There’s not as many posters around advertising Fringe events. despite this our show on Saturday night is a sell out.

Crossing Edward St. the main thoroughfare we walked the Lanes. Full of restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Down to Marine Pde passing the Wagner Theatre where our ‘Bangers and Mash ups ‘ show is on Saturday night. It’s sold out! Amazing. I have 5 friends from this area coming along.

A quick visit to Sainsbury the supermarket for a few supplies to carry the five short blocks back to the air BnB.

Into our flat. Ground floor , facing the ocean, it’s one of the many painted terrace houses that line this road.

It’s one big room decorated with antiques, two big squishy lounges A grand piano and an iron poster bed.

It’s perfect. I love it and could stay a week. And it was less expensive than a hotel.

Our gorgeous friend Yves called in around 6.30 – yes we managed a little snooze to conquer the long travel day.

He suggested dinner at a great little place in the Lanes with a glass of wine first.

We spent so much time catching up that I forgot a photo! We met Yves back in 2013 in a swim trek in Sardinia. We’ve since caught up over many swims. Particularly the long swims Steve has done with our friends Chris, Ben and Dan

If you scroll back in my posts you’ll see our swims together. A memorable one for all the wrong reasons in Hong Kong harbour …

Yves also organised our swim trek to Vanuatu where he was born, with a group of our Brisbane friends. So, we did have lots to talk about.

We ate curry and drank red wine and at 11pm that night fell into the 4 poster iron bed.

🎶🎶 Singing Tour – a Swimming Tour: Starting in Singapore.

May 27, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

We decided on an overnight in Singapore. To break the journey. Is it worth it ?

I am starting to love my visits to Singapore. Having recently been with Pete and 5 year old Ollie I feel I’m getting to know it a little.

We stayed at Capri by Fraser. In Chinatown Square a block from the Mecure where we stayed last time. I love this area. Lots of good food markets, interesting little streets and with the train you can get everywhere quickly.

The taxi from the airport was quick and efficient and we were in the hotel in 45 mins. Cost $31.

Drummed the bags , a quick change into some cooler clothes and off to the Lau Pa Sat food markets with its infamous Satay Street. Always busy it’s great for a quick meal under fans ……with a big beer. Also a major people watching place. There are piles of plates on every table, amazing smells and locals hunched over

Our hotel is great but we don’t usually include breakfast. We like to go out away from buffet breakfasts. We went to a cafe nearby m. Had a great coffee and watched the passing parade on their way to work. They all wear comfortable shoes and the girls often carry a little portable fan.

At first I thought one girl had an ice cream. But it was a little battery run fan. It looked funny. Can’t say I blame her. It’s very steamy.

I wanted to walk around some of the quiet narrow streets of China Town. We discovered a little oasis of greenery. Very quiet and a bit different to the big broad streets with traffic.

Singapore has sorted out lots of problems associated with dense living! They charge a fortune to have a private car on the road so it does limit car traffic. I can’t imagine if they allowed anyone to drive a car. It would be at a standstill.

I had checked before booking that our hotel offered a baggage hold after checkout and then use of showers later in the day. My new best friend at the concierge desk took our bags and we set off walking. It was a little overcast so bearable.

We crossed the river towards Parliament and the arts precinct.

New building vs old on opposite sides of the river

Some beautiful buildings lots of shady trees and places to sit or go inside to some aircon.

I checked out the Fullerton Hotel. It’s a beauty but would cost $$$. Lovely for a visit or a cool drink.

Zig zagging across the walking bridges we went back to the arts area

The Fullerton Hotel with Marina Sands behind it.

Another lovely gallery with a Pagoda exhibition

Statues are everywhere – this outside the Fire Museum.

Lots of walking led to a big thirst so we stopped at Clarke Quay for lunch. A beer and prawns by the water under a fan. Perfect.

We’re now at the airport. Being early to a flight in no problem in Singapore. The amazing ‘The Jewel’ is adjacent to Terminal 1&2 and easy to access from terminal 3 , it is the perfect place to spend time.

There is a great big waterfall in the centre with lots of seating. Not too comfortable as people would lie down. I certainly wanted to!

I was here 6 weeks ago with son Peter and grandson Ollie and he did the dinosaur hunt.

The attraction for kids this month young and old is Mario Kart.

Now the big flight to London. Lucky we’re in business! Soul Song choir here I come.

Visiting Georgetown : Penang

April 9, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

I first came to Penang with my sister, her husband at the time who worked in KL and Clare my beautiful niece. She was about 1 at the time. She’s now 46!

So it was ages ago.

Needless to say Georgetown has changed. It’s big and spread out to an area called Gurney where there are big apartment blocks. Huge glossy shopping plazas and no one swimming in the oceans. There are signs for stinging jellyfish.

We walked straight to the Upside Down Museum just as the storm hit.

Perfect timing for this quirky museum. You step into rooms that are perfectly staged with everything upside down. Each room has an attendant who positions you and then takes photos on your own camera.

We spent an hour there. It cost about 100ringgit. about $30

Money well spent. When we came out with big smiles on our faces the storm had passed and we started wandering the surrounding street toward the jetty area.

Some cool street art in the Beach Rd area.

We stopped for a delicious gelato and found the Armenian area. Known for its great little shops and interested side streets. I bought a little umbrella and another fan.

We slowly wound our way towards Chew Jetty.

Past the Fire station.

We walked out along one jetty area. Such an interesting place to live. It was quiet and clean with water lapping against the pylons.

Caught a local napping.

Then onto Chew Jetty. People live and run little businesses from their front terrace. You just want to support them all. The jetty is open all day to visitors who wander up and Fien past true little terrace houses. So kind of them to share their lives with us tourists.

Crossing back into the myriad of streets we walked and walked. Pete got hungry and stopped for a few samosas at a stall in little India.

Onto the Red Garden food court. I must say our 5 year old is a trooper. We walked 11,000 steps this afternoon and he didn’t complain. He just chatters away asking questions about what he’s seeing.

Huge array of food stalls. Our little seafood monster had grilled prawn, octopus and crab. I forgot to mention he demolished a stingray last night!

Lazy Days by the Pool in Penang

April 9, 2025April 26, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / Leave a comment

Oh the deck chair is inviting: dips in the pool, reading my book, napping. All sounds delicious. Except we have an active 5 year old so in between trying for do those things you do at a resort, I am sliding down slippery slides, swimming with Ollie, playing pool ( billards) , playing eye spy and answering multiple questions.

I wouldn’t change it. Except maybe to have Leo and Alby here to play with Ollie.

We had pizza and salad by the pool.

Exploring along the coasts we found the next door resort had a chess board.

The afternoon was repeating the morning until back to the room for a rest while it was raining.

The rain stopped and it felt fresh outside so we left the hotel in search of the food markets.

Walking the streets here takes me back to all visits to Asian resort areas. Footpaths up and down. Cycles slipping along, street stall vendors smiling and encouraging us to buy. But we were on a food mission and we found it. A big area with food stalls all around the outside. Plastic chairs and metal tables , tvs on with sport playing. Groups and families all sitting eating their selected dishes.

From fresh grilled fish, all other types of seafood, to noodle dishes, nasi goreng, char kway teow. Lots of choice. And inexpensive. Dishes were around 10 Malaysian ringgit up to 40ringgit for a filled fish with lime hunger sauce. Just delicious. Australian dollars that’s around 4$ up to $15 for a whole fish.

Ollie had bbq prawns, I had the fish and stir fried veg and Pete had won-ton noodles.

We walked back via the market stalls and I got a bag for beach things. Ollie who is sports mad got an Argentina soccer outfit. He wants to be like Messi!

A lovely easy night.

Penang. Old World Malaysia.

April 7, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / Leave a comment

Arriving in Penang is a huge contrast to Singapore Our Air Asia out of Terminal 4 at Changi was great.

The terminal is amazing. Modern, state of the art and all ran on time.

I had the best coffee experience at a beautiful coffee house.

Choosing from the extensive coffee list was difficult. So many varieties. The white gloved man described the blends and i selected. It doesn’t come with milk but a small pot of cream. See the picture. As well as the coffee in a beautiful cup nestled in a tray there was a crystallised sugar stick to stir the coffee. – and …..you get a mini pastry of the day.

It was all delicious-especially after the coffee machine at Legoland. all for $8 Singapore.

There was a giant slide to get to a lower level in the airport where a huge red playground waited for the young at heart to have a play.

There was a ‘fake’ street of painted houses and speciality shops.

The best was the woman’s toilets. Heated, self cleaning seats. Art works huge mirrors , bright and clean and inviting. Amazing!

Arriving in Penang was a let down. An old airport and the longest customs queue. We took an hour to clear customs. Into a taxi to the hotel took another hour.

We were ready for a swim. things were looking up.

Lots of families. Mostly covered from head to toe in black. The beautiful friendly Muslim women look so hot until they get into the water in the fully covered black swim wear. Again I felt underdressed.

There are 5 pools and several slides which Ollie has been up and down hundreds of times.

The lawn area where Peter and I relaxed as Ollie went in the slides.

Our rooms are connecting which is perfect. Refreshed from the swim we went in search of food. Ollie wanted grilled prawns so we headed to the night food markets and found great food. So cheap. Prawns, a beautiful fish with ginger sauce for me. A noodle dish for Pete. A beer each. We didn’t spend more than $50 and it was great.

The next few days we’ll be relaxing and eating. Follow us…….

A Day in Adventure World at Legoland

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

Ollie in chefs outfit for decorating a donut

We all slept well in our adventure wonderland and hit the breakfast buffet at 8.30 to fuel up for the trip to the theme park today.

Breakfast is pandemonium : lots of mums, dads, doting Nani’s and a posse of kids mostly under 12. The buffet caters for the tastes of Malays, Chinese, Indian and assorted other nationalities. Families tucking into rice dishes, curries, sugary chocolate cereals. Our Ollie went straight to the egg station. He got his 3 scrambled eggs. I had an omelette. Pete had curry and roti. Something he had grown to like when living in in KL. Coffee out of a machine had to do for my 1 cup a day coffee fix.

Thumping music greeted us at the gates to Adventure World. We were there for the warm up session at the main stage. Then the countdown started. We joined in with the excited crowd : fireworks and the gates opened.

Straight to the drive a boat then the driving school.

They give driving lessons and have a classroom session while they wait for their turn: then the children all get a car and drive around a miniature Lego town. Ollie chose the police car. When finished they earn a drivers license.

Pete has all the rides planned out. We did the Ninjago ride and the adventure one a bit like a Raiders of the Lost Arc.

We walked – in the heat, enjoying every minute. The rides are amazing. Ollie found his ‘brave’ and went on the roller coasters. Even I went on one after a gap of 30 odd years! Amazing what one will do for a grandchild.

Our last ride before returning to the hotel for a break and a well deserved rest, was the jet ski . You ride around a pond with spectators bombing you as you pass. We came off dripping wet which actually felt good in the heat.

Leaving, we passed the miniature worlds. All surrounding countries made out of Lego.

A bite to eat at the food mall next to our hotel then back to the room to change and rest.

Dragging ourselves off the bed we re entered the park at 4 for another two hours.

Pete and Ollie pumped their engine to the fire.

A few more rides. Repeating those Ollie loved. A visit to the build-a-car section. Inside and air conditioned it was a treat.

The day finished with a huge rainstorm. We got drenched walking the 200 metres back to the hotel.

A change of clothes. Dinner and another dance party!

Bed felt so good.

Tomorrow travel back to Singapore to Changi for our flight to Penang.

Awesome Legoland

April 5, 2025April 6, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

If you are looking for a full on child experience that even adults can enjoy then it’s Legoland

I wasn’t sure what to expect but it is extraordinary.

We left our Singapore Hotel at 8 for a quick taxi ride to the bus centre for the Lego express to Legoland.

It was $13 and the coach was so comfortable and wasn’t crowded Singapore is a delight to drive through. It’s green with great roads and not as much traffic as you’d expect from this huge city. The reason being there is a tax on having a car permit. It costs about $130,000 before you even buy a car And cars are super expensive here. Most people simply can’t afford it. So the money made out of taxes is used for public transport. And the trains, buses and taxis are all super efficient and clean.

Arriving at the border to Malaysia you leave the bus to go through immigration then take your bags through customs. It was quick and efficient. I heard it can be busy on the weekends. Back in the bus we are in Johor where Legoland is located in 15 mins. All up about an hour.

Seeing the Legoland Hotel resort is like a dream. It’s big and colourful and you know it will be fun.

Ollie was in a state of excitement!

We went to the hotel and as it was 11am our room wasn’t ready. We had our bag of swim gear ready and stored our other bags.

It was off to the Waterpark. Once again it’s big. Lots of different rides of various levels of difficulty. But basically all for kids. Not so much big teenagers. So parents and kids having fun.

We were among the few foreigners there and I. My swimmers and rash vest felt underdressed. Most were Muslim so were head to toe in black.

The river raft was a big hit. You float on a river and can build onto your raft with the floating Lego. Then the slides. Ollie eased into it on the small slides before Pete talked him and me into climbing up the staircase to the big red slide.

You sit in a round ring and hold on as you wind your way down the hill.

Pete was approached by the lifeguard who wanted to examine his prosthetic Lego. They were concerned it was sharp and could damage the tubular life rafts. He good humoured them and persuaded them it was all fine!

After awhile thunder started and it was funny watching the attendants talking into the walkie talkies deciding what yo do. It took some time but they eventually closed the rides.

The lunchtime queues started. Ollie had a Legoland meal ; nuggets, potatoes in the shape of smiling faces, a drink and a paddle pop.

We headed back to the hotel for donut decorating! This hotel is all abut the kids. From the minute you arrive there are Lego play areas. The lifts are decorated and music pumps out dance music.

Our room on the 6th adventure floor is great.

Family room perfection. The big double bed has the big windows. It’s separated from the kids bunk area by sliding doors. The carpet has treasure maps , the bathroom two height sinks perfect for little people. Lego spiders, animals and a big box of Lego are scattered around. Ollie loved the treasure maps. He had to fill out the clues to get the combination for the kids treasure chest. Inside a container of lego.

Donut was decorated. Then it was a dance party in the big foyer which has a Lego castle and Lego pit where lots of dads were rediscovering their inner love of Lego!

Ollie danced up a storm but not as much as the adult staff who love this joining in atmosphere. Pete says when he went to uni in KL the local boys there loved all this dance fun and loved nothing better than parties not with alcohol but games and dancing.

Pete said the hotel was a bit like being on a big ship devoted to kids. Lots of activities. The parks outside and the hotel activities insides. Some people come for the day from Singapore but it’s fun to stay.

Dinner was an adventure as well. We went for the buffet. Beautifully presented, Ollie got his money’s worth. He had fresh prawns, muscles and scallops along with satay sticks. He was free! Pete and I were restrained. But enjoyed the variety. I don’t normally enjoy buffets in these hotels. Takes me back to taking the boys to Las Vegas and staying at the Circus Circus hotel which was good but didn’t quite extend to this Lego overload. It had the ‘world’s biggest buffet ‘ and it gave me food poisoning. I’ve avoided them ever since. But I’m fine this morning. So all is ok.

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