Estuary wilds rain meant no swim for Sunday morning. My aching limbs from the Sheringham Park Run the day previous ruled out a run as well.
And so house chores instead - which basically meant clearing up all the chaos that the kittens have created whilst I have been away.
I had some mid-morning routine work shifts, and then shortly after luncheon out went the shout of:
To Walton-on-the-Naze!
Hurrah!
It was showtime for the Warm and Toasty Club sessions that I have been involved with over the past couple of months.
I’ve had something of a personal Indian Summer out on the North East Essex coast. Weekly work trips have somehow coincided with some GLORIOUS late summer weather.
Sunday was no exception.
I had a little time to spare ahead of the start of the show. I took a trip along the pier, but had to turn back after the arcade. I didn’t have *that* much time to spare.
I did the Martin Parr photo thing. How that man manages to avoid being lamped when he is swinging his big lens around remains a mystery.
And then on to the residential accommodation where Warm and Toasty was being staged.
It was a magical afternoon, with artists young and old coming to celebrate what has been achieved with the residents and their Memory Afternoons.
The highlight was a unique commission for a couple of local songwriters who have also been sitting in on the sessions.
The talented pair have woven together some of the personal memories into a collective song to celebrate the lives of the residents.
Watching them recognise their snapshots from their own lives in verse was a very warm moment.
“Will we see you again?”
…asked one of the residents as I packed up my tech bag and prepared to depart.
I really do hope so.