Happy Birthday Robin!

Yes, today is Robin's birthday.
However, he couldn't take the day off, as he had to go over to Leeds University, where his students are about to sit their exams. He needed to fit some lessons in after all his travels.
No need to worry though. A babysitter is in place so that we can go and have a celebratory meal this evening. Which will in fact also be a belated birthday meal for me.
It should be fun when we get home, as Robin has had a case of wine, and, the board game, 'Scrabble'. That should make for some interesting words...
That is supposing that he manages to stay awake. Jet lag is still playing havoc. He should be fine whilst teaching his guitar students, but I'm not too hopeful when it comes to this evening.

As Elgar had such a difficult time recently in the world of blogs, I'm delighted that 'The Daily Telegraph' are celebrating 'Elgar week', starting with an 'exploration of the composer's Englishness'.
This is an edited extract from a book by Nicholas Kenyon, 'An Anniversary Portrait', which is out on May 28th.
It's well worth reading.