Saturday 28 May 2011

Gender

I have just read about the couple in Canada who are refusing to reveal their baby's sex in order to protect it from being stereotyped.

'We've decided not to share Storm's sex for now - a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation', said the father.


How refreshing!

Friday 27 May 2011

In the garden




The Gallery Upstairs exhibition continues in the garden








The Sky Turned Upside Down by Helen Sinclair







and seen from the other side







Suspended Watering Can, by Chris Lisney






Sandstone Beauty, Nicholas Bragg






Sculptural form, by Sue Dyer







Large Sculptural Form by Sue Dyer






Large Sculptural Form by Sue Dyer








Fairy ring







and a closer look





Slip Stream garden table and stools by Helen Nock








detail of table






Mask, by Pauline Lee








Wednesday 25 May 2011

Summer exhibition



An excellent display of ceramics at the summer exhibition of the Gallery Upstairs in Henley-in-Arden






By John Ward







Handbuilt black and white oval pot







Handbuilt stoneware blue-green leaning pot








Handbuilt ochre-banded tailed bowl







Octagonal bowl







Square dish, also by John Ward







Tall twist vase, by Sacha Wardell







Small bowl, by Sacha Wardell







Pot by Nicola Richards






By June Ridgway





Wrap jar, by Eddie Curtis







another wrap jar by Eddie Curtis







By Clare Conrad





and another bowl by Clare Conrad







Tuesday 24 May 2011

The Lacuna

This blog is not about reading - I keep a separate reading journal. The Lacuna is an exceptional novel however and by far the best book I have read in the last year. I am on my second reading and it is as  engrossing the second time round. A real pleasure.








This is a conversation between Trotsky and his assistant, Van.

"But newspapers have a duty to truth", Van said.

Lev chuckled his tongue. "They tell the truth only as the exception. Zola wrote that the mendacity of the press could be divided into two groups: the yellow press lies every day without hesitating. But others, like the Times, speak the truth on all inconsequential occasions, so they can deceive the public with the requisite authority when it becomes necessary".

I must read Zola again.

Sunday 22 May 2011

Coughton Court









Coughton Court looks very imposing.






In order to reach the back of the house you have to walk through this hedge








and here we are






and then you walk down one of the two tree lined avenues






to reach the river side walk







the river is very shallow







particularly now as we have had no proper rain for weeks







the scent of wild garlic is overpowering







and now we reach the lake







turn left and we enter the bog garden







blue iris






luscious grasses







another view








and on to the kitchen garden and its scarecrow







retracing our steps and walking round the lake








I sat on a bench and was visited by this mallard and her young - they are so tame






a young coot in the water







and finally the herb garden.





Thursday 19 May 2011

MG







A day out for vintage car enthusiasts, in this case, MG owners







I don't know anything about cars







and I know even less about vintage cars







but I do think they look wonderful








reminiscent of days gone by








when driving a car was a real occasion











when going out for a drive was an end in itself.






On warm, sunny summer days you can see people taking their vintage cars out







dressing for the occasion







and it is such fun.







Don't they look fantastic!