h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The longest weekend of the year - no more work until Tuesday.

Tomorrow, El is singing at the Good Friday Service in Trinity College Chapel. I think I'll go along. Don't have any other great plans.

We had planned to go to Wexford this weekend, but although Tuesday's snow seems to be over, there's very cold weather and heavy rain forecast, so I think we'll stay put.

The Good Friday service was excellent.

It started with the hymn "O Sacred Head", which you may know as the "Matthew Passion Tune", or Paul Simon's "American Tune". There were 11 short readings - mostly only a few sentences each, narrating the tale of the Passion. These were punctuated by organ variations on O Sacred Head, choral pieces and silences.

The choir sang a selection from the Lamentations of Jeremiah by Tallis, the Crucifixus by Lotti and a wonderful modern piece by John Sanders called "The Reproaches". It was very much in the style of John Tavener's liturgical music.

After the Sunday services in Trinity there is normally sherry, but this wasn't appropriate to Good Friday, so we headed off into town for coffee.

Sounds like a good start into the long weekend.

Dear Mr and Mrs. Gnoman and family,

Have a geeat amd wonderful Easter

With much affection

Christiane and Keith.

Best wishes for Easter from Germany to all reading this thread.

Our main Easter event is the Mass on the Thursday, which commemorates the last supper, the first communion. Musically it wasn't very exciting, though, as we mainly chant Taizé songs, while the kids (altar boys, etc) then go on to keep watch throughout the night.

The First Communion children were all present, as they take communion for the first time on the Thursday. It's always a lovely sight, although this year only 15 kids are taking first communion. Their actual big day is next Sunday.

Last night, I listened to a CD of the Matthew Passion by Bach, which was is very suitable music for Good Friday (although I only got half way through it). Mrs G cooked Hot Cross Buns.

Happy Easter folks!

I always wondered why the rhyme went:

One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns

At one stage I imagined sudden reduction -- two for the price of one, get them quick.

Only in my autumn years did it strike me: there were two sizes of bun on the stall

That was a very enjoyable and relaxing long weekend. Highlights were:

Friday: the Good Friday Service in Trinity College Chapel, with El singing in the choir. They sang 'The Reproaches' by Sanders, which was absolutely stunning. It reminded me of John Tavener at his best.

Saturday: Doctor Who! The first episode of the new Doctor - it was good, with lots of Stephen Moffat touches, such as the door you can only see out of the corner of your eye, and the Doctor going away for five minutes to find that his friend has aged by 12 years while he was gone. After Doctor Who, we drove to our mobile home in County Wexford, stopping off in Wexford Town on the way to get an Indian Takeaway - the Biryani is particularly good. The mobile home was in good condition after the long cold winter, although there was one dodgy water connection which I think I'm going to have to replace eventually. We came home on Sunday about lunctime.

Sunday: Chocolate Feast - with eggs and their contents, and chocolate cows.

Monday: A vigorous walk around Marlay Park. Iz made a delicious pizza - her dough is really good.

Maybe she could brand her own --

Iz-zap

Dear Gnoman and Mrs. Gnoman,

Great to hear that you spent the Easter weekend in Wexford in your mobike home. also that you enjoyed such lovely music.

I am waiting with much anticipation for your report on your stay in Paris. I hope tht you managed to get to Montmartre.

go well,

Christiane
AR80

Wed. 8/IV/2010 BST (~thanks for the reminder!!)