9th Blog Anniversary

This month I am energised by all the new growth sprouting up in the parks and gardens, the colourful buds of the flowers, as they begin to push through and start to blossom. My London travels are decorated by beautiful magnolia trees, bright daffodils and pearly-white snowdrops. This visual cheer reminds me to celebrate my 9th Blog anniversary with you, my wonderful blog friends, who come to support me along my journey. You are the flowers and the birdsong that fill my life with joy and I’m very grateful for your encouragement towards my musical endeavours.

Alesia And Me At The BSL Rally In London

This week I also celebrated that the British Sign Language (BSL) Bill passed its 3rd reading in the UK Parliament. This Bill is important to the d/Deaf community as it is a vital step towards the legal recognition of British Sign Language. I went to show my support in person at the BSL Rally held by BDA (British Deaf Association) in Trafalgar Square, London. At the event I was able to find my BSL teacher, Alesia, who welcomed me with open arms to the event. I was immediately immersed into deaf culture and had the opportunity to practise holding a conversation in BSL. I watched a wonderful programme of speakers from the Deaf community on stage. There were political advocates, sportsmen and women, Filmmakers, TV crew, actors, artists, primary school children and a comedian. The debate in Parliament was also live-streamed on a large screen for all to see, which created a real buzz when the positive outcome was announced.

Me With My Friend Yvonne At The Opera

Then as a cherry on the top of a brilliant week, George, Yvonne and I went to the Coliseum to watch English National Opera’s production of Cosi fan Tutte. The piece was directed by Phelim McDermott and he transported the audience to 1950’s Cony Island where we watched the witty, political drama unfold amongst sword swallowers, strong men, bearded women and acrobats eating fire. It was quite a remarkable visual treat and the vocals did not disappoint either. In particular I enjoyed Soraya Mafi’s interpretation of Despina, whose clear diction and sparkling tone had me chuckling at her delivery.

It was truly an eventful week, in which I lucky enough to celebrate my blog, BSL, great music and fantastic theatre.

A Great End To Our Week

138 thoughts on “9th Blog Anniversary”

    1. Thank you Annette, I have appreciated your friendship, encouragement and wise words I read on your blog. I always have your little book with me.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  3. Happy blog anniversary! Yours was one of the first blogs I followed 8 1/2 years ago. Sounds like a good week – glad there was a positive outcome with the BSL bill and it sounds like you had a great time at the opera. Hope you have a wonderful week this week 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you Trent, I had a fabulous week.

      I was talking to parents of deaf children who despair at the lack of low cost training for the families of deaf children. As with any language it is a long journey to proficiency.

      The opera at the English National Opera was a feast for sure. I would love to be in it lots of fun on stage.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Marina, happy spring to you 😘. WordPress has changed a lot over the past nine years. I’ve had problems liking posts and leaving messages, I’m hoping that my Dad can help me sort it out as I’m visiting home soon for Mother’s Day he hopes it is something simple like the browser but it may be ascimet?
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    2. Hi marina, when I click through to your site to read your posts (not through the reader) it has a privacy policy on the bottom without a click button on my IPad to agree to it so I can’t comment or like your posts. Have a lovely week. Charlotte

      Reply

      4. Yes, i put my website, name and email then click post and when it is being funny like this I then usually get to put in my password but on your site it doesn’t even go to the password page it just blocks my comment.

      5. Okay… I just checked just in case you were spammed by wp but thankfully you were not [unlike other friends whose comments -to my surprise- I saw in there!] Then I visited your blog and -eventhough I am following you, obviously!- I saw that I’m not following you by mail so I placed my email and …nothing happened! It’s all a mystery which hopefully will be solved by itself. Meantime, thank you for visiting! 😉 xoxo

    1. Thank you Don, happy spring to you and all your family. I was making my own set a few weeks ago and trying to find a fast pack method to get out and get in and I was thinking of you.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

      2. For the backgrounds I used shower curtains and put them on my green screen frame worked a treat. Now to figure out a suitable floor mat.
        Best wishes
        Charlotte

  6. Congratulations on your 9th anniversary and positive outcome for the BSL Bill. Your such a hard worker and have a lovely positive attitude to everything you undertake to do. Well done👏👏👏 I’m looking forward to seeing you and George next month. 🥰🤗😘😘

    Reply

    1. Thanks Gill, I must admit I’m trying to cover so much just lately to catch up on some of things I can’t learn when I’m on tour. I’m learning a couple of new songs for Tom and Annas wedding too so I hope that you like them. See you soon.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  7. Happy 9th blog anniversary. You’re a singing signer? I’m not sure what laws we have for signing. There are probably provisions in the ADA. Most large gatherings have signers, and the universities will have signers in classes with deaf students. Cosi fan Tutte is a fun opera.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Timothy, I’ve started taking signing lessons last year, it is very expensive to learn how to sign in England, I wonder how much difference there is between BSL and ADA. It is a big production at the ENO in London, very energetic.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

      1. Our ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a huge, cumbersome set of laws. At our office we deal with ADA compliance in buildings. I looked up cost of ASL (American Sign Language) lessons. Prices for lesson are all over the map from very reasonable to expensive. I gather the more expensive lessons include certifications. There are lots of choices for how to learn sign language. The inexpensive lessons are geared toward people who want to communicate with sign language as opposed to people who want to sign professionally.

      2. The lessons start at around £650 for 22 lessons, then the next stage £800+ and on. It should be made easy to learn the basics especially for families.

  8. Happy blog anniversary, Charlotte! I’m glad that I found your blog about a year ago or so. Lovely photos, you guys look great together. ❤️🇬🇧❤️

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much John, sometimes shadows on photos aren’t great but we were happy at the opera such fun.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  9. Congratulations on your 9th blog anniversary, Charlotte, for supporting BSL. Music and theater are always a reason to celebrate, too!

    I agree, that is a beautiful photo of you and George. Wishing you two a long and happy life together!

    Reply

    1. Thank you Lavinia, I appreciate you keeping in touch with me and your good wishes for us.
      All our best
      Charlotte & George 😊

      Reply

    1. Hi Deb lovely to hear from you, yours is one of the blogs I have problems leaving a like or message, I have to get my diary out to recall my password and then it still chucks me out. Thank you for keeping in touch with me.
      All my best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

      2. I think it is my end because I have the same problem with about six blogs.

  11. Congratulations on your 9th year of blogging! Quite an achievement.
    I’ve been delighted to see you mature in your blogs and, of course, to see you married to George, the opportunity for personal happiness transcending cyberspace…good on you. Hope you continue to feel inspired, creative, and loved at home as well as in cyberspace! You’re simply the best.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Sheila, I’m delighted to have you as a blog friend. It is two years ago this past weekend that covid changed our course and where we anticipated we would be by now. George has just won the Royal Overseas League piano competition, I’m so proud of him.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you very much, I appreciate your message and support.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  14. First off – Congratulations!!
    I’ve feel like I watched you grow up and I feel privileged to have done so! You have turned out so well and accomplished.

    Reply

    1. You really have watched me grow, I feel like you’re part of my family and we’ve not had the chance to meet in person. Thank you as always for your lovely message GP.
      Best wishes always,
      Charlotte 😘

      Reply

    1. Thank you Derrick, meeting the wonderful people I have met through starting my BSL course is the best part. I am much more aware now and I hope to get my project off the ground.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  18. Dear Charlotte & George,
    Happy Blog anniversary as I have been blogging for eight years myself and having a partner by your side makes all the difference in the world. May the Lord continue to bless you with George to continue Blogging about the world.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Rev Tim. Time flies doesn’t it. I’m pleased to hear that you are still blogging strong. So many of my dear friends have left the platform and it is so difficult to keep in touch with everyone so thank you for keeping in touch with me.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Jovina, I enjoy your posts too. Thank you for your continued friendship I’m grateful.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. To be honest I don’t think I’ll ever stop being a student. Reinvesting in my own training has never stopped even after concluding full time studies at the Conservatoire and I set aside a % to ensure I keep moving forward and learning new skills, I want to take my second advanced German exam this year as it keeps my pedal to the floor. When I think back now to me aged 19 and how I just thought the path to a successful career was just down to hard work and perseverance but I’m plugging away.
      All my best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. I can’t believe nine years have past. I love your blog and how much you care for the animals in your transport. Keep on trucking. All my best wishes,
      Charlotte

      Reply

  25. Congratulations and happy 9th anniversary, Charlotte! You & your blog are special for me, because you were the very first follower of my blog, which is approaching its 8th anniversary this summer. It’s been a great ride, seeing your career develop and blossom. I wish you all the best for many more years of singing and blogging.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Peter, I have lost the link to your blog and your avatar isn’t linking back through to your blog so I thought you’d stopped blogging. I must try harder. How is everything going, are your concert halls back reopened with full audiences allowed? I have been working with a range of teachers it has been a very interesting development. Keep in touch.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

      1. Mostly we are back to near normal. I’ve been blogging pretty regularly, and found subjects even when there were no concerts. I did a series on what different musicians were doing in the meantime. I should have written about your pandemic activities, including the lovely balcony concerts. I could have done a Zoom interview! You can be forgiven for not reading about everything going on in Colorado, although you might be interested in my reports from Santa Fe each summer. Here is the link: https://sharpsandflatirons.com

      2. Thank you for the link Peter. I will pop over to catch up with you. I’d love to travel to Colorado, working abroad are the only holidays we are able to take at the moment.

  27. Congratulations on your 9 years of blogs Charlotte👏😘
    Keeping up with everything you are doing is amazing,
    Your blogs are always so much fun, well done on everything you do.🥰

    Reply

    1. I’m so please you still enjoy reading them. See you soon.
      Best wishes always,
      Charlotte 😘

      Reply

      1. 🙏As Every Life is Important, we all need to drive our vehicles safely/defensively on road. Please practice and share the tips mentioned in my blog posts.
        Towardszeroaccident.com

      2. Yes, especially in London the roads are so busy.
        Best wishes
        Charlotte

      4. Can you imagine the busyness on Indian metropolitan cities. Everyone must take of himself/herself and others around, depending upon the road conditions n traffic on their roads.

        Thank you & Best wishes,
        VM

      5. Can you imagine the busyness of roads in India 🇮🇳
        Everone is needed to take care of himself/herself and others around depending upon the condition & traffic on their roads.
        Thank you for visiting my posts.
        Best wishes
        VM

  31. Congratulations Charlotte!
    I adore your blog, and you have done well with it.

    I’m so impressed how you help out other communities. In this post, the deaf community. 👏👏
    You and George look amazingly happy. I’m so glad you have each other, especially in this time.

    Hey, you can comment on my blog again! Yay!!!

    Anyway, adore you, and oh, I’m back on track with the green pillow case Art Gown. The first part is usually the slowest. In the case of this gown the first part (bodice and basic skirt) went fast! I got bogged down with some details. Then when the war began, I really slowed down.
    I’m back at it!
    Take care!!!!
    xoxo

    Reply

    1. I have to sign in to comment and sometimes it takes the comment and sometimes it doesn’t depending on whether I’m using my laptop, desktop or phone. I don’t think it likes me using several devises but when I travel I have to.
      George is doing well he won a big competition and his string trio has been accepted into a big trust to give him concerts and he still finds tell to help me and accompany me and if he’s away he records the tracks for me so that I can practice. I love him to bits. Xxx

      Reply

      1. I once had that sign in thing. It lasted about 3 weeks, then just went away.
        Congratulations to George!
        So great you love him to bits!!!
        I feel the same about Norm…… for 35+ years. We are fortunate! xxx

    1. BLS bill is represents the opportunity to recognise BSL as a legal status language as important as any other, to recognise the history and culture and help ensure BSL users are fully included in society. I learnt it is the first language of 87,000 deaf people in the UK.

      It is a serious aim of mine to be a bridge creatively and musically. Just one grade of lessons costs £850 and there are seven grades, they don’t help to subsidise the partial deaf or parents of the deaf in England. I was in a cafe with Zoe a profoundly deaf friend of mine and she was so happy that the waitress could sign thank you to her after she placed her order by pointing to what she wanted. Just a little things like that help. Mask wearing has been very difficult for deaf and the partial deaf who read lips.

      Reply

      1. I thought/hoped that Sign Language would be universal and not rooted to one language. So if you use BSL, an American or French deaf person would not understand you?
        No subsidy for the deaf in England? Jesus!
        But then there are parties at Downing St, right? (Bring your own bottle?) 😡
        Your link to music and voice must make you particularly sensitive about deafness…
        Did you feature a deaf musician? A lady with long dark hair?

      2. Sadly I’ve learnt recently sign languages are not all the same. I think they subsidise schooling and courses for the deaf but not for the partially deaf or the parents and siblings of deaf people. It cost £610 for 22 grade 1 lessons with three assessments every 7 weeks, I think grade 2 is over £800 and there are 7 grades. I use my bone connectivity and other tools I’ve naturally learnt over the years. How did you know I featured a deaf musician with long dark hair? That’s spooky. I thought you meant Zoe.
        Best wishes
        Charlotte

      3. That’s expensive.
        So you have one ear deaf? And you’re a talented singer? Wholehearted compliments. it. must have taken a lot of work to achieve your dream. Bravo, bravíssimo…
        Not spooky. You did feature her, didn’t you? She is Scot, right? I get your blog in my mail. So it shouldn’t be a surprise. What’s her name? (Forgot)
        Cheers

    1. I use the blog like a diary, it is so nice to look back sometimes and read all my love friends comments.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

      1. A diary now? Fascinating. One of many possible motivations to blog. I have several, but a diary is not. (I guess at my advanced age, it is more turning into a “mémoire”. LOL)

  38. Pingback: 9th Blog Anniversary – Entertainment

    1. Thank you Randall. I love Spring in the UK, it is very sunny at the moment and fresh so not too hot. I hope it keeps up and the rain, rain 🌧 stays away as the nursery rhyme goes.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply
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