The rest of the Trip

The next two days have merged into a sort of blur once the pressure was off and we didn't have a performance to focus us. On Sunday morning lots of people went to the Stephandom to hear a sung High Mass. (Is there any other kind?) Smells, bells and a lovely Choir. They even had a ferocious organist who snarled at the gawping tourists who wandered within scowling range. Lunch in the Hofburg Cafe was a laugh with strategic envelopments and tactical advances and retreats all employed to get a table that 8 people could sit at. One lady, the Emperor's grandmother I suspect, showed the slighest inclination to move from her large table and was almost bodily removed in a perfect pincer movement which gained the place for us at the same time keeping the other foraging groups away.

So much to see and so little time to see it.
The Picasso Exhibition at the Alberina kept some of us amused. A very large representative Exhibition of his later opus which is known as his Kunststruck period. He was producing this when he was in his eighies and nineties. His energy and humour and interest in humanity are wondrous to see. I read that you must look at each feature in a picture seperately and not to try to relate it to the portrait as a hole. This made a lot of sense and was an entertaining way of looking at the pictures.
In the evening there was a large turnout back at the Stephandom for a String Quartet with an occasional flute addition. All very low key and "refined" as the Nobs had it. Too f***ing refined for me. Home via a bottle of Prosecco.
We were amazed that everyone was gone off the streets by 11.30 and they just left their shops with trees and lights in front open to the elements. Obviously no petty vandalism or crime.On the other hand , from what I saw of the Polizie armory, I wouldn't like to tangle with them over a Christmas tree.

Next morning I went to see the War Museum in the Arsenal and was surprised to find Franz Ferdinand's Car in pride of place with the actual bullet hole that started the First World War. Everyone else went shopping and we were all present and correct for our return trip.

Just before we set off home a small presentation was organised by Bernie Kennedy Rob Rowe and Mary Nagle. It was made on behalf of the Choir to Annette and Deirdre as the main organisers of such a marvellous trip, to John as our inspiring Chairman and to Donagh for bringing us so far along the musical journey which we are all enjoying so much and which we hope will continue on and on. These trips get better and better. I have rarely seen the Group so pleased. It was great credit to all involved, singers and groupies alike, that so much fun and enjoyment was had and hardly a blow struck.

Lets do it again soon.