Friday, 24 June 2016

Cats And Other Things


I went to see Cats at Leeds Grand Theatre last night. I've never seen it before and to be honest, when Eleanor asked if I wanted to see it with her, I wasn't that bothered. I wasn't particularly looking forward to it but I'd been exactly the same when we went to see Wicked and yet I absolutely loved that so I hoped it was going to be the same with Cats. Well, what can I say? I liked it but I didn't love it. I thought the dance routines were exceptional, the costumes were purrfect (sorry, couldn't resist) but the show as a whole didn't really do it for me. I'm glad I've seen it but I wouldn't bother again.

Eleanor's finished her exams now, she had the final two yesterday so she's now got to wait until the middle of August for the results. That's it now, no more school runs, no homework, it's a funny feeling having your children all grown up and no longer going to school. This is Eleanor on her first day back in 2002, she started in the September and she'd just turned four in the July.


And this was her yesterday about to set off for the last time.


We go on holiday tomorrow to Cornwall for a fortnight. There's WiFi at the place we're staying but the reception isn't very good so I doubt I'll be around until I get back. The weather forecast isn't looking promising for next week, I just hope it picks up in time for the second week.

54 comments:

  1. Have a great time in Cornwall Jo, will look forward to hearing all about it.

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    1. Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it.

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  2. She's a lovely girl, you must be very proud of her. Have a great trip.

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  3. It's a shame Cats didn't wow you but a night out anyway. You do wonder where the years went on occasions such as these, so fingers crossed for August. Hope you all have a well deserved holiday and the weather is kind to you xcx

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    1. Cats was alright for a night out but I wouldn't bother going to see it again. I can't believe how fast the years have gone by. Thank you, it looks a bit of a mixed week weather wise, I hope it improves.

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  4. I had no idea that Cats was still around I saw it in London back in the 80s and loved it then but I was young then! Fingers crossed for Eleanor's results and that it doesn't rain for your holiday!

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    1. There were lots of children in the audience and they seemed to be enjoying it. We're really hoping that Eleanor has done well in her exams, she's got her heart set on the uni course she's been offered.

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  5. It's good to see that you enjoyed the show. I guess it'll take a while to get used to your changed routine.
    Enjoy your holiday, and I hope that you have nice weather. Flighty xx

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    1. I think we'll see a real change when Eleanor goes off to uni, we'll have the house to ourselves if Daniel doesn't come back home to live. Thank you, fingers crossed for some good weather.

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  6. What a beautiful daughter you have, have a great time in Cornwall, hope you get some lovely weather xx

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    1. Thank you. I'm sure we'll have a lovely time even if the weather isn't as we hope.

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  7. I'm with you on the liking of Cats. I was quite bored when I watched it even though the show was very professional.
    Enjoy the hols.
    xx

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one with that opinion of Cats. Thank you.

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  8. Where does the time go, in the blink of an eye all grown up. Hope she gets the results she wants. Have a great break away and hope the weather is good for you.

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    1. Thank you, the exams have been rather stressful to say the least but she's put so much hard work in that she deserves to do well. The weather next week doesn't look too good but we'll certainly make the most of it anyway.

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  9. It sounds like a good night and these children grow up far too quickly. Wishing you all a fabulous holiday x

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    1. I can't believe how quickly both Eleanor and Daniel have grown up, it just seems yesterday that they were starting school and now they've both finished. Thank you.

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  10. Have a lovely holiday Jo! Eleanor is a beautiful young woman and I wish her all the best. x

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    1. Thank you. We're keeping our fingers crossed for Eleanor's results, she's got her heart set on her degree choice so I just hope she gets the results she needs.

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  11. I saw Cats in the 1980s as a teenager. It was good at the time, but like you, I wouldn't rush back. I had no idea it was still going. Eleanor is quite the young lady now, if my girls survive the terrible teens and are as lovely as your daughter, I'll be very happy! :-) have a super duper time in Cornwall, Jo xx

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    1. I'm glad I've finally seen Cats but once is enough. Thank you, we've had our fair share of the terrible teens with Eleanor but we muddled through and though I say it myself, she's a thoughtful and considerate young lady, I'm very proud of her.

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  12. Another case of "doesn't time fly?". Fingers crossed for good results for Elinor. Have a lovely holiday. :o)

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    1. It is, I don't know where time goes these days. Thank you.

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  13. Our daughter has just finished school too and it does only feel like yesterday that she started school. I hope your daughter is enjoying her freedom. Enjoy your holiday xx

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    1. Eleanor didn't know what to do with herself last night when she got in from her last exam, she's so used to doing revision that she felt at a loose end. Thank you.

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  14. Lovely to see now & before photos of Eleanor and a record for her as well. I was going to ring before you went away, but yesterday was freezing with a "little" snow flurry & teeney hail, which is unusual here, so all excitement and trying to stay warm. I will once you're back. Have a great holiday with Mick, Eleanor and Archie and hope the weather is good. Take care.

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    1. I have photos of both Eleanor and Daniel on their first and last days at each of their schools. Thank you.

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  15. Have a wonderful trip!! Well deserved.
    Axxx

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    1. Thank you, I'm sure we'll have a lovely time.

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  16. Enjoy you holiday its such a lovely place. Eleanor looks lovely hope her exams went well.

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    1. We love Cornwall, it is a lovely place. Thank you, to be honest, her exams could have gone better, it's just a waiting game now to see how she's done.

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  17. Good luck with the exam results. Have a wonderful holiday.
    Meredith

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    1. Thank you, it's a long wait until the middle of August for the results.

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  18. Have a great holiday, I hope the weather stays good for you.

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    1. Thank you. If it stays dry I'll be happy, a bit of sunshine and I'll be over the moon.

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  19. The time does go fast - our oldest finishes high school this November (New Zealand sch year from Jan/Feb to Nov/Dec) - just has 3 A Level exams to do. (we do the UK Cambridge exams here too). Happy holidays - hopefully weather will pick up. x

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    1. Good luck to your oldest, Eleanor's A Levels have been rather stressful to say the least, it's now a case of waiting to see how she's done. Thank you, I do hope we get a bit of nice weather.

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  20. I often feel the same way about Broadway shows - I likely wouldn't bother to get tickets myself, but if I do end up going to one, I usually quite enjoy it. And congrats to Eleanor! Such a milestone, for both her and for you.

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    1. I usually love musicals, both Eleanor and I are big fans. Thank you, it is a milestone, though I know she's ready to move on to bigger and better things now.

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  21. I've not seen Cats ...

    Love the photo's of Eleanor, what a lovely smile she has.

    Have a wonderful holiday - whatever the weather!

    All the best Jan

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    1. The weather hasn't got off to a great start, I'm just hoping it improves.

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  22. I'm not a great one for the theatre, more of a film person I think. Well done to Eleanor finishing her exams. Have a great holiday xx

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    1. I'm the opposite, I'd much rather go to the theatre than the cinema. Thank you.

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  23. Ah....just look at your beautiful baby, all grown up. It really is a funny feeling isn't it, I felt bereft when daughter left for university. Good luck to her, hope she gets great results. I haven't seen cats but loved Wicked.
    Have a fantastic holiday. I do hope you get good weather.xxx

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    1. It is a funny feeling. I got used to Daniel being away at university quite quickly but I think it will be different with Eleanor, especially if Daniel doesn't come back home. Thank you, we're keeping our fingers crossed that her results are good enough for the course she wants to take. The weather hasn't started off great, I'm just hoping that it improves.

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  24. I;m having a blog reading catch up after a week on the East coast, mix of sunshine and showers but an enjoyable rest ...hope you have a super time.
    Congrats to your family on their studies and achievements.
    I'll look out for the Crash book, sounds interesting.

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    1. We've had nothing but rain so far in Cornwall but as you say, it's a lovely rest getting away from home. Thank you, do look out for the book, I really enjoyed it.

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  25. I haven't been to see a show in ages.

    I hope you have a wondeful holiday! :)

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    1. We really enjoy seeing shows, especially musicals. Thank you, the weather isn't up to much but we're making the most of it.

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  26. I see you had a good time. :)
    Happy 4th of July!

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    1. Thank you, happy 4th of July to you too.

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  27. Great to see the two photos of Eleanor at the start and end of school.
    Savanna is being taken to see Cats by Grandma and Diane in August and she'd looking forward to it.
    Lisa x

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    1. I'm glad I've taken photos of both Eleanor and Daniel on their first and last days of school, I know it's something you do each year at the start of the new term too, it's nice to be able to look back on them. There were lots of children in the audience at Cats and they all seemed to be enjoying it. One of the cast stayed on stage during the interval so that they were able to go up and meet him and have their programmes signed.

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