A Retreat

I spent last week, with thirteen friends, at Urchfont Manor in Wiltshire. We are all keenly interested in textiles and art, and we all craved an opportunity to devote to developing our friendships, learning from each other, and having time, away from other duties and distractions, to devote to our own creative journeys.

Urchfont proved a wonderful opportunity to do all these things, in wonderfully inspiring surroundings. The gardens are glorious, the grounds spacious, and there is room to be together and to be in one's own space, when that is wanted.

The food we were served was superb, quite apart from the luxury of being fully catered for throughout the day, with no worries about what to prepare, or clearing up the dishes. A week free of domesticity - what delight!

All too soon, it was time to return to our everyday lives, but with our creativity well-refreshed, new techniques to add to our armouries and the knowledge that friendship is one of the greatest gifts of all. Thank you, my friends, for the good times shared.

Youthful Spirit at Glastonbury

Anna Plays Glastonbury

Is this the Pyramid Stage we see before us?

Possibly, but relocated to the glorious Glastonbury Abbey for a day of celebrations on the occasion of the 1100th Anniversary of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Youthful Spirit, the gospel choir my daughter (fourth from the right) belongs to, was requested to perform by the Bishop, Peter Price, and this photo was taken during their third set.

A wonderful time was had by all, performers (Adam's Apple, an excellent jazz trio who played very different arrangements of hymn tunes, and Lyrica, who paid homage to the Andrew's Sisters as well as Youthful Spirit) and audience (of a number of bishops, church dignitaries, friends and families of the performers, and local people. The weather was kind to us all, too.

This all took place within sight of the famous tor (despite this prominent waymark, we managed to get lost by taking a wrong turning at Wells, and made the journey via Shepton Mallett, which meant we passed through the village of Pilton which had, the previous weekend, hosted the more highly-profiled Glastonbury Festival, and saw the barriers still snaking across the hills).

The abbey must have been amazing before it was ruined. As it is, it is majestic, and the atmosphere is usually beautifully peaceful and conducive to contemplation.

These ancient stones must have witnessed a great deal over the centuries. The music that echoes off them on 4th July 2009 was truly a joyful celebration.

The light was beautiful, too. I'm so glad it stayed dry for the occasion.

Anna and her backing singers

 

My daughter, Anna, was very brave and sang a solo at the Singer's Concert held by her singing teacher, Elizabeth Glen, at St. Andrew's Church in Congresbury. They performed "Midnight Train to Georgia" and it was amazing. So was the whole concert - so much varied talent from one small area. What a shame we only realised she had this wonderful voice so late in her school career. I hope she'll have the opportunity to continue singing and learning this discipline at university.

Anna is wearing the purple satin dress I'd spent the previous few days making.

Sarah's Graduation

Last Friday we went to attend Sarah's graduation ceremony at Oxford Brookes University, accompanied by her brother and her boyfriend, Joe.

 

We drove through heavy rain but luckily the afternoon remained dry: it was very hot in the marquee and it would also have been a crush if everyone had had to crowd in out of the rain.

 

There were a lot of proud parents, grandparents and some very relieved and high-spirited begowned and bemortared students.

 

Also a lovely flower arrangement!

Anna sadly didn't come with us, as it was her Year 13 Ball in Bristol that evening.

About New York: Plates

About New York: Plates

Plates

I'm breaking my blogging hibernation once more at the behest of Elizabeth. This time, her invitation was to share our tableware: "Somehow our choice of plates says things about us. We all have ones we love for sentimental reasons or maybe they are to do with aspirations - or whatever". Now I'm expecting some perfectly gorgeous and exquisite crockery will be displayed during this serial tour through the display cabinets, sideboards and cupboards of this world-wide virtual community, and am a little abashed by the ordinariness of mine - but I guess that "everyday" is the point. I recall reading an article about the wonderful potter, John Leach who said he enjoyed, in choosing which mug he was going to take his morning tea or coffee in, deciding which potter he was going to have a conversation with. I know that one wonderful feature of our holiday in Skye, some years ago, was having the use of plates and such made just down the road at the Edinbane Pottery, and indeed my husband bought a mug for himself there, which is one of his favourites to drink from.

So, here are my usual dinner plates, Blue Imperial by Denby. I like their clean lines, the pure white field on which to place the food we eat, and that they have a blue rim (I love blues, in case by now, dear reader, you had not guessed).

We have quite a collection of various items in this design but have never manged to have a full set...

The plates below are part of the Portmeirion Botanic Garden range. I have owned a number of the side plates and sort of collect the different designs, but over the years and the children a lot have been broken and I would like to replace them but haven't got round to it - they are not cheap. I like the pretty flower portraits they portray and used to dream of having a kitchen dresser in a country cottage to display them on, but that's not what life has brought me, nor is it what I want any more (dusting - yeuch!). I use these every day, for lunch, breakfast toast or cakes, and they still please me.



Last Satuday I had cause to visit the little seaside town of Clevedon, and called in at the Fizz Gallery, where I saw the most delightful plates and mugs. I have a liking for images of owls, so this plate:

and this mug

came home with me as a special treat, for me to enjoy using. They are decorated by an artist called Nadia Sparham, with whom I foresee some pleasant lunchtime "conversations".

The plate below is for walls rather than tables, and has sentimental value. It belonged to my Gran. She had a great sense of humour and I think of her whenever I see it.

Another plate/bowl, which I believe to be beautiful rather than useful, to paraphrase William Morris. I love the contrast between the metallic slip and the plainer stoneware, and the sinuous, graceful spiral which adorns it.

It is by Simon Rich, in a style he now seems to have moved away from. I'm so glad to have it to enjoy.

So there you have it - these are what you'll have food served upon if you visit my humble home, and an everyday part of my life. I don't know what they say about me...

Thanks, Elizabeth, for suggesting this theme!

Haiku Festival

Elizabeth of About New York invited me to participate in this festival today, so here is my offering:-

leaves luminously
green the land in fresh raiment -
birdsong rejoices

Visit About New York to see other contributions - why not have a go and write your own, then leave a comment on Elizabeth's blog so others can visit you to see it? Enjoy!

Happy Easter

Visiting Rousham

For three years, my daughter and I have promised ourselves a trip to see the gardens at Rousham, and last week we had the opportunity and the good weather, so off we went. We drove through the archway above into the car park, after driving through the Oxfordshire countryside and Costwold stone villages which looked their best in the spring sunshine.

We walked back through the passageway to the ticket machine and to pick up a guide leaflet.

The ceiling was beautifully vaulted in the mellow golden stone.

A grand house it is at Rousham, not normally open to the public.

Within rolling parkland, the house has a manicured "island" providing sheltered spots for planting.

There are many niches containing statuary of a classical nature.

We saw mysterious doors leading who-knows-where,

plenty of architectural detail

until, having walked some way around the house

We came to a gap in the well-trimmed yew hedge and

A glorious ornate iron gate which led into a large walled garden.

We walked under the pergola

And enjoyed the water music of the fountain playing in the pond.

There were views of a dovecote

and a church spire from the path by the fruit trees.

It was early in the season but, here and there, were lovely spring flowering bulbs, like these muscari, or grape hyacynths.

Whoever designed this garden liked to frame views.

Luscious hosta leaves seemed untouched by slugs.

Steps with primroses led up to a higher level.

In the next garden area were furry-budded magnolia trees

and paper bark maple trees.

This seemed a highly desirable and picturesque residence for doves, as well as a useful source of guano as a natural fertilizer.

The knot garden was well-kept but, as yet, a little bare.

More doves viewed the estate from the weather vane on the main house roof.

Another view of the pergola, with a flowering ribes in the foreground.

There was a row of auriculae sheltering on the windowsill of the potting shed

and some pretty pots of tulips by the greenhouse.

An obelisque/odalisque led the way to another part of the gardens

dotted with more statuary

beautiful still-bare trees towering above the river

and a path divided by a rill

leading to a pond overlooked by a grotto

and then on to a stone arcade

with places to sit and enjoy the sylvan views under more vaulted roofing.

Mercury showed off his balancing skills.

This long-horned cow escorted us back around the house on the other side of the haha.

There was an intriguing staircase leading upwards

and a gatehouse resplendent with its own knot garden and some extremely elegant chimneys.

On this Thursday afternoon we nearly had the place to ourselves, enjoying the birdsong, fresh air and sunshine as well as the specific delights of Rousham itself. I'm so glad we got there at last.