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May 28, 2025
Sublime Rambling
English Epistle #14
By Vicki L. George
The Bandera Prophet
Before I can tell you about the second “social event” I attended, I must tell you a little bit about the family that lives in this hotel.
Mr. and Mrs. B. are an older couple, about 70 years in age, who own the Mount Prospect Hotel, where we’re living. Mrs. B. is all English and keeps pretty much to herself. Mr. B. is half English and half German, and talks to us when we go down to the bar to grab a bite to eat. He will always speak to Hubby whenever he runs into him.
Their daughter and her husband, Melanie S. and Mr. S., also live here, and Melanie is the manager of the hotel. They’re both 37 years old. Melanie is a delightful and helpful chatter-box. Mr. S. has a business transporting boats all over Great Britain.
Melanie and Mr. S. have three children, to whom Hubby and I have grown quite attached. The oldest is Richard, who just turned 15 (I wrote about Richard in my first Sublime Rambling column, dated 6-26-24) and is much like his dad so he’s quiet and kind of keeps to himself. The next oldest is Claire, who is 12 years and very shy and very sweet. They both love to sail and Claire plays hockey.
The youngest is Katherine, who is 6 years old, and the same age as our oldest granddaughter. I call her “my little ray of English sunshine.” Nothing gets that kid down or slows her down. She’s the only one in England who has ever hugged me and she’s thrilled to show off to us every one of her many accomplishments.
Right after we arrived back in Penzance, Katherine brought to me a piece of paper that told about her upcoming “concert.” She invited us to attend! As it was on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. Hubby would be at work and couldn’t go, but I told her I would be delighted to come. She was to play her violin. Since I don’t have a car, I asked Melanie and Mrs. B. if I could get a ride with them and they assured me that I could.
The next Wednesday, we all rode together in Melanie’s car to Katherine’s school. We each received a “programme.” On the cover it was entitled “Junior Musical Soiree.” Along with all the other students, Katherine’s name was listed inside; she would play a violin duet with another little girl. We were seated in the chapel, this school being a parochial school (Church of England).
It was a lovely program, lasting an hour and a half. Most of the kids played violin or piano, although there were three flute players, a clarinet player, and a trombone player. The trombone player was a girl, which I thought unusual at the time. You would recognize some of the songs, such as “Bicycle Built for Two,” “Turkey in the Straw,” “Old McDonald had a Farm,” and “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Katherine did a great job and we were all proud of her. She was also quite proud of herself!
It felt good to be included like that and I took photos to share with Hubby.
Mr. and Mrs. B. are an older couple, about 70 years in age, who own the Mount Prospect Hotel, where we’re living. Mrs. B. is all English and keeps pretty much to herself. Mr. B. is half English and half German, and talks to us when we go down to the bar to grab a bite to eat. He will always speak to Hubby whenever he runs into him.
Their daughter and her husband, Melanie S. and Mr. S., also live here, and Melanie is the manager of the hotel. They’re both 37 years old. Melanie is a delightful and helpful chatter-box. Mr. S. has a business transporting boats all over Great Britain.
Melanie and Mr. S. have three children, to whom Hubby and I have grown quite attached. The oldest is Richard, who just turned 15 (I wrote about Richard in my first Sublime Rambling column, dated 6-26-24) and is much like his dad so he’s quiet and kind of keeps to himself. The next oldest is Claire, who is 12 years and very shy and very sweet. They both love to sail and Claire plays hockey.
The youngest is Katherine, who is 6 years old, and the same age as our oldest granddaughter. I call her “my little ray of English sunshine.” Nothing gets that kid down or slows her down. She’s the only one in England who has ever hugged me and she’s thrilled to show off to us every one of her many accomplishments.
Right after we arrived back in Penzance, Katherine brought to me a piece of paper that told about her upcoming “concert.” She invited us to attend! As it was on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. Hubby would be at work and couldn’t go, but I told her I would be delighted to come. She was to play her violin. Since I don’t have a car, I asked Melanie and Mrs. B. if I could get a ride with them and they assured me that I could.
The next Wednesday, we all rode together in Melanie’s car to Katherine’s school. We each received a “programme.” On the cover it was entitled “Junior Musical Soiree.” Along with all the other students, Katherine’s name was listed inside; she would play a violin duet with another little girl. We were seated in the chapel, this school being a parochial school (Church of England).
It was a lovely program, lasting an hour and a half. Most of the kids played violin or piano, although there were three flute players, a clarinet player, and a trombone player. The trombone player was a girl, which I thought unusual at the time. You would recognize some of the songs, such as “Bicycle Built for Two,” “Turkey in the Straw,” “Old McDonald had a Farm,” and “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Katherine did a great job and we were all proud of her. She was also quite proud of herself!
It felt good to be included like that and I took photos to share with Hubby.