Well, my festive 'cold' reached something of a peak (or trough) yesterday, and I had to absent myself from the festivities for a chunk of the afternoon and lie down in a darkened room. It was just like the old days, i.e. the days of my working life, when every Christmas (or so it seemed) I would be struck down by ever more prostrating versions of flu. Yesterday, I rallied after a restorative glass of champagne heavily laced with the wonderfully medicinal Fernet-Branca. Helped by more champagne, a good white burgundy and a couple of glasses of Cynar, I made it through the rest of the day, and even slept well. Today I have a rather alarming cough, but I enjoyed a brisk walk in frosty sunshine – clear Christmas weather for once, instead of the usual miserable rain. I've also been enjoying my musical Christmas present – Music For A While, L'Arpeggiata's album of improvisations on Purcell. Here, from that album, is the gorgeous voice of countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, singing the beautiful 'Evening Hymn' (words by William Fuller, who was Dean of St Patrick's before Swift)...
Beautiful. Thanks for your excellent content, year on year.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you for reading it, Anonymous.
DeleteAs an imbiber (not quite the same as a toper) of note, my Christmas gift to you Nige is a sort of wonky Negroni. By all means stay with 1/3 Gin and 1/3 Vermouth Rosso - but instead of 1/3 Campari, do try substituting 1/3 Cynar. And after the first sip utter, out loud, your favourite swear word. Yes, that one....
ReplyDeleteWow, why had I never thought of that? I'll certainly try it asap. Salud!
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