Rhododendrons and azaleas

The rhododendrons and azaleas in Greenwich Park, London, are spectacularly beautiful. I have already told you a few things about the special lady that I became very close to, who is tragically no longer with us. Well some years ago she and I used to go out and about on London buses. She was in her wheelchair and I was her minder. Greenwich Park became a special place for the two of us. The first time we went, all the rhododendrons and azaleas were in bloom. My friend's mouth dropped open and she was speechless. This was a rare occurrence (sorry, old girl) so I take it the scene had made an impact on her. She did nothing but talk about it for a month or so afterwards. I took the above photo last year, and it represents very happy memories for me. I only wish that we could go there again, just once more.
Now for boring old me. I went to bed at 1.30 am and slept extremely badly. My dreams were lucid and grotesque. I spent much of the night awake being bombarded with memories of the dreams, before finally getting up totally shattered at 10am. My mood is odd today. I'm flooded with a whole gamut of emotions, both good and bad. I'm halfway through my second mug of coffee and am about to have another fag. It is probably tiredness which is the main issue for me today. I'm aching with it and feel like I've just stepped off a long-haul flight. Never mind, I'll ride it out.
The landlord and landlady of the pub I go to came and spoke to me yesterday. They told me how much they and their customers had enjoyed my playing over the holiday period. They have asked me back to play on 22nd January and 1st February. Lovely. They really are such good and kind people. Every Saturday from Saturday week I will be playing harpsichord music at the local historic building. This is the music I studied and I thoroughly enjoy playing it. Since I started writing my blog I've thought long and hard to try and make sense of my life. I now know why I so enjoy playing the harpsichord. It is aspergers music. One plays it in a very controlled manner without expressing any real emotions. It is full of patterns and formulas, tables of ornaments, textures and a whole catalogue of expressive techniques. Yes, the music is very expressive  indeed, but I try to represent the intentions of the composer as authentically as possible, without any kind of romantic involvement. I am totally focused on the music, but maintain a certain detachment from it.
Dear old Greenwich.