Days of Empire


      We found some old music scores that moved with us to West Norfolk that had been temporarily lost and forgotten, what joy to find them and this one in particular.
      No more total reliance on the KB 'Magic Eye' radio - as used on the Queen Mary - for our evening entertainment; listening to the BBC Home Service, Light Programme and for those east of Suez the BBC World Service on the short wave.
      Now a soiree is called for, dust off the English Rosewood upright piano mix a few cocktails and don evening dress.
      The Nene Ouse Navigation and the Middle Level could almost be the Nile sliding slowly by, lights twinkling on it's oily surface, well, perhaps if you closed your eyes a little, turned your back and squinted they could be.
      Those romantics who wrote this old standard also wrote the never to be forgotten and atmospheric 'Moonlight on the Ganges'. Those were the days, and what a name for an Indian restaurant that is.
      I'll have an 'ice-cold one in Alex' then straight home to lower the lights!