My Favourite Things

Friday October 8th

This turned out to be a very good day. Everything went to plan. In the morning we walked over to the garage to talk them about getting Hemi a MOT so that all the things that would prevent that happening after we had gone home would be done. The list didn’t seem nearly as daunting this time and we agreed to things that needed doing and told Barry we would be in touch with him in about 10 days. We then thought we had better get a few things out of Hemi and check if we had left any food there. We found some rotting grapes that we quickly disposed of. We then locked him up and said farewell and walked back to Barton to pack a small suitcase each so that we could manage on public transport. It was a tight squeeze and the feathers and fur have had to stay behind at Barton on Sea. They are okay about this as Hemi is having to stay back too. We hope they don’t try going out at night to visit Hemi on their own.

Liz and Andy arrived home at lunchtime and they both drove us over to Kingsworthy which is a small village outside Winchester. Liz had looked at the map and knew exactly where to go. When we got there we wondered if we were in the right place. It was quite a contrast from the Albert Hall last Sunday. I went in and asked if this was where the Squadronaires concert was tonight and they all said yes and they were so excited by the prospect. I asked the woman behind the bar if we would be able to leave our bags there for the afternoon, explaining why we had come and that we had got a ride from Barton on Sea. She was only too happy to oblige, commenting that we were rather early for the concert. So we assured Liz and Andy that we were indeed in the right place and said goodbye to them.

We had a sandwich and drink from the bar and asked a local if we were anywhere near a bus to Winchester and he gave Alan directions of how to walk to the bus. It was not far and shortly after we got there a bus came along. Alan wrote down where we were and the stop before so we could get back. It only took about 15 minutes to get into the centre of town and we know it well so were able to find our way around easily. It was a beautiful day, over 20° and really sunny. We had a good wander around the town and then decided we should have an early tea in town as there was nothing near the concert venue and we knew the band were having fish and chips brought in for them.


Alan took the opportunity to take a photo of King Alfred the Great against a blue sky, something he had never been able to do on previous visits. Because the weather was so lovely we bought a take away pizza and went and ate it in the park and watched the world go by. We eventually made our way back to the bus station and got back to the Sports Club. The band had arrived and set up so they had time to kill, and we had a good chat to Hamish and some of the others.

The place was absolutely packed and by the time we went back into the main room we had missed out on a seat but we got an excellent standing spot at the bar looking front on and I was able to video a few items. I didn’t want to spoil the concert for myself by videoing it all but managed to get a programme order from Hamish and selected a few. I persuaded him to tell me if he was doing a solo and it turned out he was so I was ready for his jazz version of My Favourite Things. He also has a classy little solo in Little Brown Jug which we caught on video as well.

The crowd just loved the concert and will probably be talking about it for days. They are determined to get them back again and as it was organised by the local branch of RAFA which is the RAF charity it is very likely to happen. Anyone can request an RAF band, but they have to turn down 50% of requests through lack of time.

Hamish had arranged for us to be able to travel back on the coach with the band to Northolt. So we got out at the gate and got the key to the house and were in bed by 12.30pm.