In November I had two enjoyable recitals to give: the first one for Cancerkin (a wonderful charity), to be played in the hall of a posh mansion in St John's Wood, which is really built around an indoors' swimming-pool; and the second, in St. Émilion, the delightful roman-town of the "Grand-Cru" wines' region, in the south of France. And 'comme d'habitude', it's a pleasure to share the enthusiasm, warmth and hospitality of Almuth & François Querre, plus , the bonus of a fabulous post-recital reception! I wouldn't complain when glamour comes in: it doesn't happen that often, believe you me! And how nice to be spoilt, once in a while!
Un grand merci!

Earlier in the month, buying a car turned out to be a most unusual experience to me!

Some of you may have come across or dealt with 'ebay.co.uk'? Well, I hadn't; until the morning when I went into its web-site, to 'look' for used-cars! Surely enough, there was this old white -my favourite colour for cars - Mercedes SE 500 -and some nice enough pictures … Before I knew how it all worked, I placed a bet for consideration, or so I thought … only to see that in 2 seconds flat, it was accepted! By the rules of the game, I was down as its buyer and was duly coaxed into sending a cheque to the seller… ?? He-l-lo!?!

Never mind I wouldn't have a chance of viewing or test-driving the vehicle: it could also turn out to be a 'turkey', a stolen car or … have had its 4 wheels taken away, for all I knew! I was terrified and in utter agony, desperately trying to find out whether I had indeed committed to buying the car! Could I possibly get out of this mad adventure?!

The nightmarish visions I had of exchanging a brief-case of cash … to no avail: so convinced I was, that the guy would run away with the money … and take the car! I spent almost 8 hours that day, either on the telephone to AA or Mercedes finding out about the model, mileage, or e-mailing 'ebay' or tracking down the seller… My husband being in China, couldn't provide any help; it was my mess after all! I then - 'may I call a friend?' - called another student, who happens to be an enthusiastic and experienced ebay-buyer of … smaller items I hasten to add, for advice!

Thanks Ron, for giggling with … er, at me, more likely!

I then got a friend of mine (a bodyguard would have been more adequate!) to come along to Luton airport the next day, where the transaction was to take place … How the two of us laughed, imagining all sorts of scenarios: being taken for drug-dealers, or indeed paying a ransom for someone kidnapped …

Enough said; believe it or not it worked and I have got the car, which drives amazingly well and am very happy with what turned out a very lucky find!

Time will tell, though. Although I managed to amuse some friends with this mad adventure, I will never forget the myriad of agonizing moments and doubts I had to live with, all in the space of some … 26 hours!

On to Venice, where in the last week in November I was to be one of the jurors of a piano competition. Most fantastic was being invited to a few glorious local houses, filled with unending treasures of Venician beauty, priceless paintings, frescoes, mosaics, 'lampadaires' or even rails for stairs made of Murano glass … And with an array of delicious meals, I rather consider myself very fortunate!

I must say, what a surreal place! So atmospheric that it seems not to exist! I fell completely in love with it and very much dream of a "pied-a-terre" - given all of the water I suppose this should be called "un piede-in-acqua"… ? Ha ha! Imagine how prohibitively expensive, though; the transport of a piano, alone!

As to the 20th edition of the "Premio Venezia" - run by a generous group of enthusiastic benefactors - as it came to a close, it turned out surprisingly disappointing, given that the finalists, two very talented young graduates from Italian Conservatories, proved not to be quite ready for a career, running out of energy, stamina, concentration, in other words, completely 'crumbling' under the pressure of the occasion! Never mind: they have time: 'tanti auguri, Sebastian e Viller'.

Next year, the Semis and Final should take place once again in 'La Fenice'- as it did before the criminal fire of 1997 - which is about to be re-opened to the public after an indescribable restoration effort, at recreating the minutest details! To me it's one of the most beautiful Opera Houses in the world.

Any of you have seen it?