Most people know that I am now guardian for two relatives who have limited mental capacity.

One is 77 and the other is 65 but both are mentally impaired and cannot read or write.

Christmas Capers

Christmas is a big thing to them. They literally are like two small children who cannot wait to get into their Christmas sacks and see what Santa has brought them.

Last year was the first year without Mum. She had made every Christmas special for them, with lots of gifts and a happy family atmosphere. Food was plentiful and there was always a space at the table if someone didn’t have anywhere to go.

Lots of Space to Chill Out

Now, I had no desire or capability of shopping for endless presents for them and I certainly didn’t know everything they already had. So I started looking at experiences for them.

One stood out.

Wet and Windy in Liverpool

Andre Rieu and his Orchestra in Concert.

Well, both of them adore Andre Rieu. They listen to his CDs and watch his DVD’s endlessly. I knew they would absolutely love to see him live but would I be able to get tickets at this late stage?

Luxurious Surroundings

Not only did I get tickets, but I started to plan out what we would do in Liverpool when the concert finally came around.

Christmas Day rolled around and they gleefully opened their presents. Once they had finished I told them I had a surprise for them, but they would have to wait until April for it.

Jessakae for the Win

I told them that I would be taking them up to Liverpool and we were going to a concert where they would see Andre Rieu live.

Well,  my Uncle Albert literally started to cry.

Ready for the Taxi

In all of my 50 years, I have never seen him cry, not even when his siblings died including Mum who had looked after him for over 60 years.

I was so moved by his response, that I knew I had done a good job.

SO Proud of Them

Fast forward four months later and it was almost time to hit Liverpool.

I booked an Air BnB for the night and took ‘the boys’ as they are colloquially known, to a local suit hire shop, Warwick’s.

All Dressed Up

Two dinner suits and bow ties later and they were ready for their night out.

It took around three hours for us to get to Liverpool and we arrived just as the check in time for the Air BnB came round. We emptied the car of all of our finery and went up to our apartment to start getting ready.

The Air BnB was amazing; beautifully furnished with sleeping space for 8-10 people, its own car parking space and only about 6 minutes drive from the M&S arena.

I had decided to wear a most beautiful JessaKae dress and little nude sparkly ballet flats. I added a shoulder length blonde/grey wig and helped the boys do their bowties and cufflinks.

Mr Rieu

Although the arena was only about 10 minutes walk, I knew that Albert would not be able to manage that, so we got an Uber to the arena.

It had started to drizzle a little and I didn’t want them getting cold and wet so we headed straight into the arena although there was a little time to kill.

Delightful Views

That gave me a chance to hear towards the merchandise stall as all Albert had been asking for was a program for the evening.

Well, not only did they both get a program, they also got a polo shirt each and a large calendar.

Grecian Flair

I already had two very happy boys on my hands, and they hadn’t even seen the show at this point.

We grabbed some drinks and headed up to the seats I had managed to get.

A Few Selfies

Now as I was in my wheelchair, I needed to walk a couple of steps down to the seats which was not a problem.

The first half started with a bang when a classical piece of music started and a parade of musicians started to walk down the two side aisles of the arena.

Super Stage Views

Albert and Diverus merrily clapped along in time with the music, huge grins on their faces. They looked like they were on cloud nine and I admit I may have shed a tear or two.

The wonderful musicians played music both old and new, recognisable and some not so well known. Several vocalists came to the centre of the stage and sang various arias. It really was a smashing performance.

Beautiful Staging

After about 90 minutes the musicians left the stage for a short interval and we went out to the foyer areas to get another drink.

I could not believe how many people came up to both myself and the boys to tell them how smart and dapper they looked. Some ladies even asked to take their picture taken with them both and they were more than happy to do so.

Getting Ready….

It was soon time to go back to our seats however I have to admit that I was really struggling in my seat, as I couldn’t straighten my leg out, and being bent for prolonged periods was causing extreme pain.

Speaking to one of the auditorium guides, I asked I would be able to sit near to the walkway where all the other wheelchairs were, as I was really hurting. My plan was to just stay in my wheelchair and bed/extend my leg as much as I needed to.

Pretty Dresses

The supervisor said it would be no problem for me to sit in that area so I settled down to watch the second half of the performance.

About 3 minutes later a male guide came up and told me that I couldn’t sit in that area in case they needed to evacuate and I would be in the way.

Maestro

Whilst I didn’t disagree with him, if they were evacuating, I wouldn’t be sitting blocking up the area, I would be leaving at the head of the stampede!

However, I didn’t want to argue so asked if I could put the chair back into the storage area and I would go back to my seat. He was absolutely brilliant and told me I didn’t need to do that, just follow him in my chair.

Waiting for the Start

I motored along behind him for about 100 yards and ended up in an area directly across from the stage. I could see Andre and his Orchestra so closely and even the details of the dresses the ladies were wearing.

Sitting listening was a very emotional thing; the soaring notes, the familiar melodies, the passion that the musicians put into every quaver and crotchet. It was heart melting and jubilant all at the same time.

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The second half went on for at least an hour and again there were several soloists and a trio of male opera singers who wowed us all into rapturous applause.

Eventually the last note was played and the orchestra filed off-stage.

Not Bad Seats

The auditorium went wild.

Of course, there were cheers of Encore which just got louder and louder.

What a View!

The orchestra filed back out on stage and we were treated to another 30 minutes or so of extra music, including a very vocal performance of “I Will Survive” from one of his female soloists.

Sadly the night was almost at an end and people started to file out.

Amazing Andre

We entered into the large foyer area and again were accosted by lots of ladies (of all ages) who came up and either commented on my dress, or the dapper gentleman that were my escorts.

Heading out, I was hoping we could have a moonlight walk along the Riverside however it was drizzling quite heavily so we ordered an Uber and waited by one of the large hotels next to the M&S Arena.

I Will Survive

Obviously there were a couple of thousand people all leaving at the same time, so it wasn’t the quickest exit that I have been part of, however that is what happens at big concerts.

The Uber eventually arrived and as we were all a little damp, I was glad it was only a 5 or 6 minute drive back to the apartment we had rented.

Two Handsome Escorts

As much as we had all loved dressing up, it was a great end to the evening when putting on the comfy clothes and having a nice hot cuppa.

Of course, the Liverpool visit wasn’t over by a long shot.

Mersey Eye

We had the whole of the next day to go.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx