It feels so strange not to have been able to drop into Chocolate Notes these past two weeks. Fiamma is on a mini concert tour, Jan has gone to visit his parents in Antwerp for a few days and Chrystelle, the new member of staff, has taken advantage of the break to go and see her family in Paris.

While they’re all away, workmen are busy in the café. I took a peek a few days ago, when I was walking past. All the furniture is covered with dust tarpaulins and dust sheets. The music that embraces you as soon as you walk in has been replaced with the sound of drilling, hammering and sawing. The sign on the door, with apologies for any inconvenience to the patrons, says that a new kitchen is being fitted. This means that more substantial food will be served once the CD shop/café reopens. I wonder who will do the cooking. Is Fiamma going to take on more staff? I guess it will all become clear once they reopen. I shall look forward to that.

Apparently, Fiamma is touring with a consort playing viol music by William Byrd, in honour of his anniversary this year. I keep telling her that she should perform in Norwich someday, so we can all hear her. She just smiles.

Until Chocolate Notes reopens, here is some viol music by Byrd: https://youtu.be/MwLz43-oPf0