Sarah von Allmen

Whoo, Océane! #Biathlon

Sandrine Bailly is going mildly nuts on Eurosport France!

🤞

Yay! She hasn't got the speed of the top tier, but at the very least she'll be nicely placed for the pursuit.

"Enormissime" according to the (rather happy) French commentator.

Biting my nails....

4 choral music scores: "Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho", "Mack the Knife", "Blue Skies", and "Caravan".

Here we go! Spring concert is on the loose theme of jazz and its influence, and choir kicked off rehearsing this evening. #AmateurMusic #MusiqueMunicipaleMasevaux

Seconded! She had an early bib but paced herself beautifully and shot really well. A podium by the end of the season? (OK, I'm biased.)

No surprise with the first two, but I definitely didn't expect to see Hristova in the medals.

Northern England, French, camion pompier/fire engine.

Fantastic 4th shoot!

She is soooo good! She made it look effortless.

France must be the favourites, but I'll be cheering for the Swiss! (Dual GB-CH national living in France - widens my options with winter sports!)

Franjo! #OlympicDownhill

Studied The Waste Land for O' Level (I'm old) and read Cats for fun (pre-musical). Can still quote chunks of both at the drop of a hat.

Our local stork colony has started to return from migration a couple of weeks earlier than usual. In 1974 there were just 9 breeding couples in Alsace (11 in the whole of France!) but after breeding/feeding programmes we now have thriving autonomous migratory colonies. #Alsace
#WhiteStorks #Cigognes

Also "All I Want for Christmas Is a Dukla Prague Away Kit" (Half Man Half Biscuit)

and

"There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis" (Kirsty MacColl)

"I'm In Love With The Girl On The Manchester Virgin Megastore Checkout Desk" (The Freshies)

A mildly spooky forest hillside shrouded in low cloud. In the foreground are bare branches covered in raindrops. The predominant colours are muted green, brown and grey.

Damp and misty in Alsace this morning.

A traditional theatre stage with a dozen musicians dressed in black taking a well-deserved curtain call. Assorted actors/singers dressed in costume can be seen in the background.

Curtain call for our wonderful musicians. The boss (grey waistcoat front left) arranged the music specifically for these guys, most of whom have accompanied all 6 of our operettas since 2009. (First flute/piccolo not visible.) #LesClochesDeCornevile #ComicOpera #AmateurMusic #Masevaux

And tonight's performance was the best so far! Two more to go...

Two condensed versions of #LesClochesDeCorneville this afternoon for local schoolchildren aged 10-14; now for a quick bite to eat and some deep breaths before the (normal) evening performance. #ComicOpera #AmateurMusic #Masevaux

A colourful crowd scene where a chorus of villagers along with 6 soloists fill the stage. In the foreground a back view of the conductor can be seen in the orchestra pit, although the orchestra is hidden from view.

First weekend of "Les Cloches de Corneville" done and dusted: we give 2 shortened sessions for local schoolchildren at the end of the week plus 3 more full performances. #ComicOpera #AmateurMusic #Masevaux

A decent first night with only a few minor hiccups. Matinée this afternoon, then a welcome breathing space until next weekend! #LesClochesDeCorneville #ComicOpera #AmateurMusic #Masevaux

Oh yes: daughter #2 (secondary solo role) had a violent nosebleed and played one scene clutching a hankie to her nose, but I'm betting that can't happen twice.... ??

Advertising poster for the comic opera "Les Cloches de Corneville" which opens tomorrow in Masevaux. The poster shows a stylised view of bells and a castle archway in shades of purple, with white text givng the dates and other information.

The dress rehearsal was (mostly) OK, with less hiccups than feared. (Two soloists drying up mid-song doesn't really count?) Opening night tomorrow, so too late to do anything more! #LesClochesDeCorneville #MusiqueMunicipaleMasevaux #AmateurMusic #ComicOpera

According to my dictionary of British place names (A. D. Mills 2011), the similar place name Betley in Staffordshire means "a woodland clearing of a woman named Bette". (O.E. personal name + leah) Possible?

Operetta rehearsal 2-10 pm. (Meal provided!) Everyone whacked, aching legs/back, forgot lines/songs we knew perfectly. Discouraged until invited photographer tells us how impressed he is - maybe we're not so bad after all? 3 more rehearsals before opening night. #LesClochesDeCorneville #AmateurMusic

A snowy garden: two planters in the foreground with bushes to the left and trees behind.

A (roofless) bird feeding station with approximately 10 cm of snow on each element.

Good morning from Alsace, where snow is still falling.

Head shot of a young man with a short beard and moustache wearing a black hoodie and a thoroughly revitalised wig.

Worth the effort!