What a few weeks it has been since I last wrote a post. I am quite disappointed in myself for not keeping up to my once a week posting routine, but the festive period has thrown a lot of things at me. It all began brilliantly with the YSO Concert in the Sir Jack Lyons concert hall at York University and from that moment onwards lots of other things crowded in making demands on my time. The most emotionally demanding and time consuming have been tasks relating to some volunteering work I do, but the outcome of this particular venture has had huge benefits for some people in need and I do not begrudge a moment of that time or effort. Christmas and Boxing Days were spent with family, but I, like many others, have succumbed to the most recent bug doing the rounds. As I sit here typing I am resigned to the fact I won’t be going to see the New Year in with my neighbours and fellow villagers at the Village Hall because it would be frankly irresponsible to risk passing this nasty chest infection around the community. On the positive side I have been reunited with my laptop, and it feels like sitting down for a natter with an old friend I haven’t seen for months; hence the title of this post (and with apologies to Simon and Garfunkle) I hope not to remain so “silent” and to get back into my rhythm soon.

I wish you all happiness, health, and prosperity.

Happy Musical New Year!