That was the week that was…part 1

Another photo-heavy post I'm afraid!

Wednesday marked the start of a 2 day adventure in the City of London, a place I used to know well but had almost forgotten so many years have passed.

I took this photo as the train pulled into London Bridge station. That evening I would be heading off to what is affectionately referred to as the Gherkin (the torpedo shaped building to the right of the photo) to hear a very important announcement.

As it was an early start the next morning, for part 2 of the event, I had to stay overnight and I was staying in a hotel on Southwark Bridge Road, just over the river from the City and only a short walk from the station.

The obligatory selfie

As soon as I'd dumped my bags and phoned Mike to let him know I'd arrived safely I was off out to explore the area.

I used to know this part of London very well but hadn't been back for over 21 years so I went straight away to see this old pub where I'd spent many happy hours with colleagues after work!

It's situated by the railway line adjacent to Borough market and so I had a leisurely wander through there, admiring all the stalls.

Then it was a quick trip to get some cash for taxis etc and back to the hotel to get ready. On my way back I noticed this massive panel with pink lights. There was another one the other side of the arch and I suspect it was a nightclub but couldn't see a sign anywhere.

 

What was the event I was attending? This -

Exciting hey?!

I was meeting up with 2 fellow Champions of Alzheimer's Research UK, Carol and Patrick Franklin-Adams, and their friend David who was acting as Patrick's helper. Patrick has had early-onset Alzheimer's for the past 10 years or more and they have raised a massive amount of money for ARUK.

We met in the hotel lobby before heading out into the sunshine for a walk across the Thames. I loved this view of the skyline with all the cranes - note the open-top tour bus on the right.

We hopped into a taxi and were  soon outside the Gherkin. It looks enormous close-up!

Close-up of the structure which seems massive when you're right next to it

After the security check-in we were ushered towards the lobby and told to take the lift to the 34th floor and then change to go right to the top. I can't find any information about this striking sculpture.

We were there nice and early so I was able to have a leisurely chat with some familiar friends and take some photos of the extraordinary views.

Tim Parry, Head of Communications at ARUK

A happy me with a glass of wine! 

From left to right: David, Hilary Evans (Director of external affairs, ARUK), Carol and Patrick

One of my favourite Trustees,  Prof Peter Lantos

I took photos all the way round as it was just a stunning view but I've restricted myself to my 3 favourites here:

An arty shot showing the Shard and the Walkie-talkie buildings

The pointy building far away on the left is Canary Wharf. I love seeing the River Thames curling round as you don't  get that feeling when you're at ground level

Beautiful Tower Bridge (we run over that during the London marathon and it marks the halfway point) with the Tower of London in the centre of the photo. The big modern building on the left is the hotel where the elite athletes stay ahead of the London marathon and is where I've been for the Press Conference/photo shoot.

There were speeches from ARUK's Chairman, David Mayhew CBE & Dr Dennis Gillings, World Dementia Envoy. In brief, the announcement was about a campaign to raise £100m to fund a new phase of research. Now that's wonderful news and a brilliant effort from all the team at ARUK!

Then we heard from Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health. He made a bit of a faux pas which I can't repeat verbatim but basically said that we are copying the model for dementia used by the Japanese which makes a change because they usually wait for us to design something and then copy it!

Looking up-beat before…..

There was an audible gasp and some nervous giggling as people realised what he'd said. The Japanese delegates did not look impressed and I felt really sorry for them as it was quite embarrassing.

Oops, better back-track a bit!

Apparently he apologised to them afterwards so hopefully that smoothed things over a bit. People were still talking about it the next day though.

Then it was time for a bit more socialising with some Trustees I didn't know already and people I've met elsewhere. I had a lovely chat to a lady from Wales whose interest is in the care side of things so we had a long chat about my mum and how I felt that caring for her at home had extended the period in which she remained able to function at a near-normal level.

I was careful not to drink too much wine and left nice and early to head back to the hotel for an early night in readiness for the next day. I was very excited about what was going to happen the next day!

Part 2 will follow asap.

A very exciting week indeed

It started with my birthday (57 in case you're wondering) and is getting better and better, but I mustn't get ahead of myself so I'll start at the beginning.

We always enjoy a trip into London to visit a gallery or museum and my birthday falls around the time of the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art which is jolly handy.

All adventures have to start with coffee and cake and this wonderful display in the window of Caffe Concerto in Haymarket, London, drew us in immediately. Oh my!

 

That set us up nicely for  a stroll along Piccadilly to the large Waterstones bookstore for a quick look before heading off to the Royal Academy of Arts just over the road. We walked past the Fortnum and Mason building. The exterior is being renovated and the whole side was covered in Scaffolding and plastic but the clock on the frontage looked beautiful. I love that gentle eau-de-Nile colour.

As you approach the Royal Academy building you go through a beautiful archway with very ornate carvings in the stone pillars.

Then you step into this lovely square. It was surprisingly quiet but I suspect that as just because it was a Monday morning as when we got inside there were plenty of people milling around.

You aren't allowed to take photos inside so I can't share any of the exhibits but I think it's the best one we've seen in a long time. 

The selection process for what makes it onto the walls always seems so arbitrary and we often mutter about some of the things that are displayed; e.g. a piece of perspex with "More poetry is needed" (a sentiment with which I agree entirely) printed on it with a price tag of £1800 or a piece of velvet cloth with spots of marker pen all over it entitled "Batchelor's Buttons" for a mere £12,600 made me write 'you cannot be serious!' in my programme.

I was delighted to see some fabric and needle art this year especially Amanda Caines' work entitled 'Skirrid' and Eleanor Havsteen-Franklin's 'Vessel' made from etching and thread on Japanese paper.

Some of the things we loved were this clever piece by Ackroyd and Harvey which was created by exposing growing grass to different levels of light and then taking a photograph, all the exhibits by 

Bill Jacklin whose painting of New York alway bring back happy memories, several entries by David Mach who this year chose to make 3d pictures using pins and foam notably the face of Van Gogh and a snow leopard, Olwyn Bowey whose rendition of leaves and flowers, especially Eryngiums, in thick and vibrant paint were stunning, John Wragg whose lone women against a brightly coloured background were intriguing,  Frederick Cuming for his landscapes - an artist we know well as he often exhibits in Rye which is near where we live plus many other wonderful exhibits.

Afterwards we headed off to Gymkhana London, an Indian restaurant which has received rave reviews since it opened late last year. It didn't disappoint and we had a marvellous meal. I thoroughly recommend you try it if you are in the vicinity and are able to get a table.

On the way home we stopped off at Caffe Concerto and each chose a different cake/pastry for when we got home. Perfect.

The rest of the excitement will come in the next few days and will have to be reported after the events. I am so excited I just can't wait to share the news with everyone.

Crochet? Knitting?

I've just started the next chair back cover using a motif from the crochet club 2013 which I wrote about here

I was taking some photos of it for Simply Crochet magazine recently and it was just before Happy the Hippo went to live with Ruth so I included him in a shot.

It reminded me that as the first one was finished nearly 12 months ago it was about time I made the second one!

Then there's the knitting project that was put on hold because of ……. well I can't remember what actually but it probably involved running and fund-raising.

So why have I been so inattentive to my crafting activities? Well it's largely because of this, the Tilly effect:

See, I can fit in here

Whenever I sit down for a bit of hooky time she watches and then just takes over!

How can I ignore such a little sweetheart who throws her arms around my neck and asks to be loved?

Resistance is futile 

She's a great time waster and has Mike crawling around the floor dangling a length of yarn for her to chase.

Note the 'Hello Kitty' igloo (the label said 'iglootastic' so I was powerless to resist!)

As I type this she is sitting on my knee whilst I type with one hand.

I'm sure that eventually we'll all settle down and get into a routine of some sorts but for now it's definitely Tilly Time.

Algernon-the-picked-upon

Once upon a time, a few months ago, a young drake arrived in the garden. His chest was quite patchy where he'd been pecked by other drakes. This is quite normal behaviour amongst the drakes in the mating season and there are always some wandering around looking bedraggled.

Charlie the Drake chased him away whenever he tried to get near to the feed I put out by the barn for the wild ducks.

As the days went by I saw Algernon getting thinner and thinner and I was worried so I started to put extra feed out for him when the others had gone about their ducky business. 

He was very brave and came quite close to me and that's when I saw the extent of his injuries; not only had he ben picked on by other ducks, it looked as if he'd been trapped as there was the remains of some wire hanging from his neck and horrible deep slashes across his head and neck. You can see a bald patch on his back too.

Poor little fellow. There is a lot of poaching going on but thankfully he escaped their snare.

Gradually the other ducks let him join in and he started to put on weight.

Then last week he appeared with a friend. This little chap has also been pecked so I think Algernon has taken him under his wing. We've christened him Pericles the Persecuted. Yes, our little visitors do have names - well most of them do, or rather the ones I recognise do!

Now they're the best of friends.

And so they lived happily ever after.

Wonder in the garden

Warning, photo-heavy post!

Each time I walk into the garden something else has come to life and is looking wonderful. I never tire of just losing myself in a walk around, just touching, smelling, and enjoying all the beautiful colours and textures.

Watching the amazing variety of wildlife, hearing the buzz of insects and the birdsong gives me a tremendous feeling of calm and well-being.

It feeds my soul.

I take far too many photos every day so I've had to be ruthless in choosing which to show! First a bit of wildlife:

2 sparrows wait their turn whilst a starling has his morning bath 

Just look at the iridescent green on the back of this fly visiting Euphorbia pithyusa

Mummy and baby toad in the orchard

Sorry this is a bit fuzzy but the little ant was moving so quickly to get his prized worm home!

The striking yellow, grey and black caterpillars of the Mullein moth munching away on a sacrificial wild verbascum (I grow many of them to distract the caterpillars from the cultivated forms!). I wrote about the little blighters here.

This little chap is Algernon-the-picked-upon who adopted us a few months ago and I must tell his story in a separate post

Now for some plants and flowers.

A lone orchid which has self-seeded into the orchard. I'm hoping it will set seed and spread.

Lichen on a pear tree

When I open the front gate in the morning I'm always struck by how much seems to have sprung up almost overnight!

Just look at the size of that cardoon to the right of the gazebo (as you look at it) and the foxgloves to the left!

The papery bracts of Salvia 'Vatican White'

Looking inside

We have many different varieties of Sisyrinchium. Here are a few:

The curious cream and chocolate/plum coloured flowers of 'Quaint and Queer'

Acid yellow star-like flowers set against the vivid blue of a prostrate campanula

Sisyrinchium striatum (it seeds everywhere!)

Close-up of the gorgeous creamy yellow flowers 

Sis. 'Aunt May' with her beautiful striped leaves looks wonderful against the deep bluey mauve flowers of Salvia  nemorosa 'Caradonna'

Deep blue bells of a Campanula in the gravel garden

This little beauty always makes me smile. From amidst her pretty, stripy, and very hairy leaves she sends up a bright pink stem and then reveals a whole group of glorious flowers (I think they look a bit like angels or dancers) with spotty tops!

Saxifraga cuscutiformis in front of Hosta 'Hadspen Blue'

The dark mauve, almost black, flowers of Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' set against the yellow leaves of Hakonechloa macro

Centaurea 'Jordy' in the gravel garden

I like the side-view best!

Pretty bracts on this variegated Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

There are foxgloves in various shades, defying gravity and towering upwards in the most inhospitable places: 

Amazing, spiky casings from which will emerge the pretty purple flowers on this hosta 'Big Boy' planted either side of the entrance to the gazebo

The warm yellow flower of the scented Rosa 'Graham Thomas' (he's prone to blackspot but I still love him!)

Glorious blue Nigella (aka love-in-a-mist) whose seedpods I dry and use in winter flower arrangements. Each autumn I sprinkle the seeds into awkward places and she rewards me with an amazing display

I have to stop now, although I could go on and on and on and on, so will end with this bright cerise flower of Lychnis coronaria. I love the contrast of the vivid flowers against the silvery grey felted stems and leaves.