Sunday was our final day in D.C. and there was no suggestion we take it easy and rest up for our trip home. Goldie hosted a brunch for 30 people at an excellent Italian restaurant in Georgetown. In addition to numerous members of her family who, if not local, made the trip from Baltimore and Pittsburgh, we invited Priscilla and Larry, Timm Burrow and his Larry, Marsha LeBoeuf, Liam Bonner and Imani Mosley. Liam is a new friend who I believe has a great career before him. It doesn't hurt his chances that he is very tall, handsome and charming. Imani is a bassoonist friend of mine who has just graduated with a double Masters from Peabody. She and I have exchanged emails and tweets over the last couple of years. She is an expert on the English composer Benjamin Britten so she and I have much musical stuff in common and it was a delight to see her in person at last. We had also invited Anne Midgette, music critic from the Washington Post, who has been a correspondent of mine for the last year, and Michelle Pendoley from Washington National Opera. Unfortunately, Anne was in Seattle and couldn't attend and a heavy work-load from Opera night kept Michelle in her office. We missed them both.

Brunch was noisy and fun-filled. Much champagne was consumed and I believe a good time as had by all. When our guests had left it was time for Goldie and me to head for the airport and cousin Jeff very kindly played chauffeur again. We arrived in good time for our flight which left just a few minutes late and we arrived back in Portland, tired but elated and chock-full of amazing memories.

This trip was one of the most extraordinary few days of my life and for that there are many people to thank (the picture above shows me in the costume shop with Goldie, Marsha, Timm and Priscilla):

Goldie. I could not have wished for a more supportive or delightful partner in this adventure. I shall be for ever grateful for everything you did to make it such a huge success.

Marsha LeBoeuf. I am so happy we got to meet, dear Marsha. Whenever I tell the story of Priscilla's Great Adventure your name will appear on the marquee.

Timm Burrow. You, my friend, are one of this world's more extraordinary and precious beings. Thank you for everything. I so hope that you and Larry will come and visit us in Portland.

Michell Pendoley. You are way too modest about your part in this but we both know that none of this - I repeat, NONE of it, could have happened without your generosity of spirit and endless energy. My thanks can never be sufficient.

Priscilla and Larry Barrow. You have brought light and joy into my life in a way none of us could have anticipated. Priscilla you will forever be my Princess who got to go to the Ball. I wish you and Larry love and health and I look forward to our next meeting. Let it be soon!

Cousin Jeff. Thank you for your hospitality, time and effort spent on our behalf. You're a mensch, dude.

It is going to take me a while to get back to normal life back here in Portland. This week has seemed almost a blur, my mind having been so pre-occupied with thoughts about the trip. Monday is a holiday, so my post will not appear here until Tuesday. Have a wonderful and happy weekend and then come see what I have for you.