Number 14. See more of my Dad.

I don't see enough of my Dad and that's a fact, so whilst it may seem awful to some to make it a number on my list, I added it in the hope that it would serve as a constant prompt to do more with him and therefore see more of him!

My Dad works shifts so its not always easy to see him as much as we'd all like. I know my Dad understands we have a busy family life too but wherever possible and as often as we can, it's nice to have him round for tea, go out for a meal, just pop round, or go out for an evening!

Thursday 18th April my Dad and I went to the Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School for a wine and tapas tasting evening. We'd bought Dad a voucher for his birthday & Rund bought me a ticket for Valentine's Day so I could go with my Dad.
It was a really lovely night, the tapas was gorgeous, we both agreed could have eaten a lot more of all we sampled and the wine tasting was a nice experience as well!
Was a really lovely way to spend an evening with my Dad!

This is the blurb on the evening we attended:

Join our resident chef, Ali Bilton whilst she prepares Yorkshire inspired tapas alongside wine expert Peter Fawcett of Field and Fawcett, York. Peter will match the food with wines from around the world. You will get to sample both along the way and gain culinary skills and tips as well as gaining a wealth of information about wine and how it can compliment, and even enhance, your food.

To get your mouth watering a selection of food prepared could include:

Pecks of Beverley hot smoked salmon tiny fish cakes with a St Quintins cream and Thirsk dill sauce
Mini Yorkshire puds with Yorkshire pork, sage onion and ampleforth amber topping
Confit of East Yorkshire duck with Yorkshire Chorizo and beans
Caramelised onion and Lowna Goat’s cheese toasties
Yorkshire pea and Yorkshire fine fettle fritters with cucumber relish
Mini Yorkshire parkin, rhubarb and boozy infusion trifles
The evening starts at 7.00pm and includes a glass of fizz on arrival

Number 20. See an Opera.

Saturday 20th April 2013.

I can admit that both Rund & I were a little dubious about watching an opera. We set off the York Opera House joking about what we were expecting! I knew a little about the story of Carmen but not an awful lot!

The opera was sung in French and there was a little black screen above the stage translating the story in to English...sounds weird but it works!

As soon as the show started I was enthralled, especially when they brought a real donkey on to the stage!

I honestly didn't know what to expect but I've had my eyes opened to the world of opera it was absolutely fantastic!

This is the blurb on the opera:

Ellen Kent's Carmen Overview
Opera & Ballet International presents an Ellen Kent production, starring international soloists & the full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus...

Bizet
Carmen

The most seductive opera ever written

'Hot-blooded, a joy'
The Independent

'Impassioned and sultry'
The Observer

'Red hot passion'
Birmingham Evening Mail

Starring a majestic Andalcuian Stallion

Directed by Ellen Kent, this traditionally staged, dazzling new production set in Seville and reflecting a Goya painting, with fountains, flowers, orange trees and even a rescue donkey, guarantees an evening of passion and romance.

Starring international mezzo soprano Nadia Stoianova, whose portrayal of Carmen has won rapturous reviews, this is the story of a bewitching gypsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and ultimately leads to her own murder.

Carmen features some of the most evocative and best-loved melodies in opera, including perhaps the best-known baritone aria of all; The Toreador’s Song.

'A star was born' (Nadejda Stoianova)
Manchester Evening News, Carmen

Sung in French with English surtitles.

Number 19. Watch a ballet.

Friday 19th April 2013.

I went to see my first ever ballet with my son James, I'd bought 2 tickets to watch Sleeping Beauty at the York Opera House, intending to take a friend with me but James asked if he could come and it was lovely to take him!
It was funny though as we were driving to York he told me that he hadn't told any of his friends that he was going as he hadn't wanted to be teased! He was relieved when we got there though to see other children and some other boys!!

The ballet impressed me more than I thought it would, the gorgeous sparkle of the costumes, the utter grace of the dancers and the men in tights!!!

I would certainly go and watch another ballet it was definitely enchanting!

This is the blurb on what we went to see:

Vienna Festival Ballet returns to town with their traditional, enchanting production of The Sleeping Beauty.

A classic fairy tale set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes, all combine to portray the struggle between good and evil.

Incensed at being snubbed at the christening of Princess Aurora, the wicked fairy Carabosse lays a curse on the child, proclaiming that she will one day pierce her finger - and die. But the Lilac Fairy intervenes, and when the fateful day arrives, the princess and the entire palace instead fall into a deep sleep. A century later, Prince Florimund is guided to the castle by the Lilac Fairy, overcoming the obstacles created by Carabosse, and awakening the sleeping princess with a kiss. It is love at first sight, the palace awakes and a parade of fairytale characters attends the royal wedding. A gorgeous Tchaikovsky score, classic Petipa choreography, an enchanting fairytale.

'An excellent company of talented young dancers. Their energy and enthusiasm is breathtaking.'
Ents24.com