The official Paraorchestra blog is not yet up, so I think I better record this here. It’s very cool anyway, and definitely blogworthy. I don’t remember feeling as

intimidated or out of my depth as I did yesterday since my first day at uni; I felt like I should have been wearing my suit (or, perhaps, my best evening dress). Lyn and I were at the meal welcoming the Paralympic team: the Paraorchestra played during the event, so we were backstage rather than at the meal proper. Nevertheless, I was rather awe-struck: we were at a posh venue in central London; big guys in suits were everywhere; the British Paralympic team were all there; Jeremy Hunt was due to give a speech. And there was I, wondering how on earth I had stumbled into all this.

The performance itself went well, and I’m pleased to say was very well received. Charles gave a short speech introducing the orchestra, and I watched from the wings as the group played a short version of their ‘Greensleeves’. There was huge applause at the end, but I think the audience was expecting them to play another song, as then there was a sort of expectant silence. I think they were surprised to see the orchestra leaving the stage, and indeed disappointed. I think I’ll mention the idea of expanding the repertoire to Lyn and/or Charles.

All the same, it was a great event; I don’t know about Lyn but I got home shattered. There were apparently a few A-list celebrities there, but I didn’t notice any – I was too busy resisting the urge to go and have a firm word with Mr. Hunt. Mind you, at one point during the build up, I wondered if Boris was coming – now that would have been fun.