I am becoming something of an expert on fabric engineering. I had to look at something the rigger felt it was easier to explain if he actually showed me. Showing me meant being sixty odd feet off the ground in the basket of a cherry picker. Now I'm not particularly afraid of heights but the space (way, way) above my head is not my normal working environment. Maintaining my dignity and authority was paramount in the circumstances and as we lifted slowly into the air I was nonchalance personified, leaning casually against the guard rail, chatting amiably as if a raconteur at the bar. In truth I was positioning my body to obscure the rigger's view of the one thing that would betray me; the gleaming white of my knuckles. It was an astounding view though and it was fascinating to see the genuine beauty of the structure from a new perspective. These fabric buildings really are the most exquisite and naturally formed architecture.

Next week is a big one and we all wait excitedly to see how the new backstage is going to look. The seats come in too and by the end of the week 90 percent of the theatre will be in place. And soon after that the first two productions begin music rehearsals.

Things in the office are picking up pace and Julia is coping well with the demands - the season magazine is in full flow and the first events are at advanced planning stages. Meanwhile we hope the snow from the north doesn't descend beyond Birmingham.

Two months today until first night.

Winter returned yesterday. We didn't get the lethal blast that Scotland endured but brass monkeys in Kensington were complaining bitterly. A couple of engineers from the company who build our canopy were none too happy either as they dangled from ropes and clambered over the peaks of the roof. It had been noticed that the finely honed process of tensioning the fabric had gone awry ever so slightly. This meant a small section of the structure looked a bit wrinkly, water was running off it in unexpected ways and points that carry heavy loads of lighting truss were at odd angles. To the untrained eye nothing would seem amiss but it needed tweaking and so the riggers were swinging around in the icy winds fiddling with the giant cat's cradle of cables and turning spigots and bolts . I left them to it in order to get to Cadogan Hall for the Chelsea Academy showcase.

And what a showcase it was; the kids were fantastic in their performances of Carmen extracts and the beautiful entrance hall of the venue looked fabulous. Congratulations to all concerned and hopefully we will see projects like this flourish through next year and beyond. These were eleven and twelve year old kids and we should all continue to challenge them because they really can lift themselves to achieve when they are given the opportunity. There is no limit to what we can expect from them. I know this from personal experience in my own schooling and it is something James and I will continue to preach.

The Indy podcast is up on their website

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/opera-podcast-opera-holland-parks-new-season-1932232.html