I love Tom Jones; I’ve loved him since he first appeared on our screens in the 60s. I’ve followed his career over the decades. His music makes me happy. 
As a special treat this week Chanelle from the lifestyle team put on a Tom Jones themed afternoon. We met in the Sky Bar. I always enjoy any event that is held there. It is very classy, just like a wine bar. Some evenings we find ourselves a table by the window, sip wine and watch the sun go down. It’s one of my favourite things to do. During lockdown when hospitality venues were forced to close our little bar stayed open as did our tearoom and hairdressing salon. We were very fortunate.
We weren’t sure what Chanelle had in mind for a Tom themed party so you can imagine our delight when we discovered that not only would we be listening to his whole back catalogue, but we would also be singing them too. It was a karaoke party. 
There were refreshments lined up on the bar, tea, coffee or something a little stronger for those who enjoy a tipple or two and the chef had made Welsh cakes. I’d never tried them before. They are very tasty, I had two.
There were disco lights, a microphone and speakers and we were handed feather boas for us to wear. I would never have had the courage to sing karaoke in public but there in our little bar surrounded by friends it felt like the easiest thing in the world. Once we started, we couldn’t stop. 
We sang all of Tom’s classics before moving onto renditions of Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Lionel Richie. It’s exhilarating to sing at the top of your voice with no fear of embarrassment, we waved our boas and sang our hearts out. There are couple of residents here with beautiful singing voices, the rest of us, not so much but it didn’t matter, we were having the time of our lives.
I never expected to be trying so many new things this late in life, you can get a bit set in your ways at home but here I’m experiencing so much. Karaoke, Welsh cakes, whatever will it be next? I’m excited to find out.