The Lexicon of Love

 Today started with a trip in to Redditch's Kingfisher Centre.

30% was due for a hearing test and my trusted wristwatch needed a new battery. She popped in to Specsavers and I headed to Timpson to have a new battery installed.*

A trip to the supermarket followed and that consumed the morning.

In the afternoon we took the dogs out for a walk and then I headed in to the garage to resume the cleaning the Enfield. A Vac Bag has been ordered, and I would really like to get it tucked away for the winter in the next few days.  I made a start on cleaning the spokes of the front wheel and found that a light rub with steel wool works wonders. I also constructed a virtual list of maintenance tasks that will be needed before I attempt to start it in the spring.**

This evening we took the train from Redditch in to Birmingham for an evening at the Symphony Hall. ABC were in concert, with a Symphony Orchestra, performing their first album; The Lexicon of Love.

I have had a copy of this LP since it was first released in 1985, and have never tired of it. I have a playlist on my phone that provides the soundtrack to most of my car journeys. Several ABC tracks appear on the it, and they never fail to delight.

ABC opened with When Smokey Sings and the rest of the first half was comprised of later works. After the intermission the Lexicon of Love was performed in its entirety with a 30 piece orchestra performing alongside the band.

It was a splendid evening, and we both loved it. We did comment that we could have arrived, listened to the first track and then popped out for a light bite to eat, before returning for the main event. That is not to say that the first half of the concert wasn't good, it was. It was just that the second half was just fabulous.

ABC have definitely set the benchmark high, let's see how Bad Manners do on Friday.

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* A new battery for a Tag watch will cost in the region of ninety pounds. They last a four or five years, but they are still rather expensive.  Many years ago I called in to a branch of Timpson to get my watch battery replaced, and they advised that, for a small fee, I could get a lifetime guarantee on the battery.  I paid the fee and carefully stowed the guarantee card in my wallet. You can see the Timpson staff smile when you ask for a new battery to be fitted, and then groan when you pull out the golden ticket.

** The list: 

• Adjust Chain, 
• Check oil level (it looks high), 
• Replace chain case gasket (there is a small leak), 
• Pray (the bike hasn't been ridden since early 2021 and the carb could well be gummed up)