Wednesday 21st August
Drive towards London on the Great West Road and at Heathrow the planes are flying very low as they come in to land . Turn left to Osterley Park and you are a world away in an extensive park landscaped with lakes around the impressive Osterley House.
The original house was built in 1572 by Elizabeth I's financial adviser.
Robert Adam was commissioned to update it in the 1700s for the Childs family who were wealthy bankers. One of the four wings was removed to create the grand portico entrance. The house was not lived in but was used for corporate entertaining on a grand scale,

Adam's attention to detail in every room is illustrated in the Etruscan room where doors, painted walls, furniture, fireplaces, etc all match and are of the highest quality.

The cattle were unmoved by the low flying aeroplanes.

The gardens were lovely.

 

Tuesday 20th August
We could not have chosen a better day to visit Cliveden. The sun was shining but it was not too hot to walk which is essential to explore this place.
The gardens were immaculate.

The long terrace in front of the house faces south and affords long views over the garden, woods and farmland.

The building is enormous with the central room between the steps holding a display about Nancy Astor, who lived here and was elected as the first female MP 100 years ago.

We watched two red kites hunting and fighting over this area. They came very low on several occasions.

A steep path led us through the woods down to the Thames where there were cruises, motor and rowing boats for hire as well as passing barges and boats.

The footpath by the river was lovely though the climb back up to the grounds is a steep and long haul.

Our reward at the top was a view of the house and the top of the woods.

A wide formal path through the woods led us for over a mile to Wood Gate.

About 20 sculptures by Sir Anthony Caro added interest. We didn't succeed in guessing the name of a single sculpture.

We left Cliveden as it was closing and drove to Marlow where we saw several boats take to the water at the rowing club.

The weir is visible downstream from the 1832 bridge which is very narrow for today's traffic.

Monday 15th July
This year the Summer Exhibition 2019 at The Royal Academy of Art was coordinated by Jock McFayden RA. It is the world's largest open submission art show and this is its 251st year. We thought that it was excellent.

Thomas Houseago featured a variety of imposing sculptures in the courtyard.

 

We spent a while in Wohl Central Hall where there was lots to see and plenty of quirky ideas to think about and enjoy.

 

The Animal Room combined art with the quirkiness of a collector's private museum.

 

We always enjoy the beautiful architectural room as well as the displays here. We had been in the pavilion colourfully modelled in the background only the day before when in East Dulwich.

 

 

Sunday 14th July

Kew Gardens is a lovely place to visit. We chose to focus on a few parts of the garden and couldn't miss the Chihuly glass sculptures which enhance the landscapes and glasshouses.

 

Stunning hydrangeas among the trees.

The treetop walkway is worth the climb for the close up views of the treetops and distant views of the Temperate House.

 

 



Sunday 7th July

Listening to the band while eating a picnic lunch at Harlow Carr followed by walking around the gardens is a very pleasant way to enjoy a summer Sunday.

Sunday 30th June
The NoteAbility Band from Bradford provided a very good start to the summer outdoor music concerts. They played in Valley Gardens in Harrogate where the terraced slope towards the bandstand provides excellent space for picnic rugs and folding chairs.

Thursday 27th June
This summer's sculpture trail at Newby Hall has just opened and today's blue skies made it a perfect day for a visit.
The fishes are part of MATOMBO which is an exhibition of Zimbabwean sculpture.

The poolside garden was full of candlestick primulas at their best.

The subdued tones make the Memorial Garden very restful.

The view from the house down the formal borders to the River Ure.

Many of the trees and shrubs were in bloom.

This photo does not do justice to the sight of the poppies on the hill.

One of our favourite statues on the trail. 'Peel', in green opal stone made by MATOMBO.

The trail takes about 45 mins. There are 48 sculptures this year along a lovely woodland walk.

These two were our other favourites. 'Leopard' and 'Prowling Tiger', both in Iron Resin on Oak by Lucy Kinsella.

May 2019

The gardens at Dunham Massey were stunning this month and the deer were happy to graze close to people in the park.