Category Archives: Travel

Sandringham at Christmas, and a Year to Remember

24 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in The Royal Family, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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It was so lovely to see Sandringham this past summer when we were in England.

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It was just on the heels of the Jubilee Celebration in London, and we managed to visit one day ahead of the Queen, who was holding a very large garden party on the lawn the next day.

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With all the excitement over the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy this Christmas season and will she or won’t she be at Sandringham with the Royal Family as tradition usually dictates,  it brought back memories of this beautiful place set in the Norfolk countryside.

This winter I can now actually visualize The Queen sitting with her family in the lovely drawing-room, perhaps working on a particularly tricky corner at her special jigsaw puzzle table. And I am hoping the Duke and Duchess get a chance to enjoy the cottage his grandmother gave him on the estate in honor of his 30th birthday. But perhaps this will be the year they spend Christmas with her family, and squeeze in a visit to the royal side of the family sometime over the holiday week. That is what the word is.

Still, when the English news shows the Royal Family walking to chapel on Christmas morning, I will remember it from last summer. When we were there, it looked so familiar from all the past Christmas photos. And this year the Queen did her Christmas message in 3-D…the old and the new.  Ever the modern Queen who also honors tradition.

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St. Mary Magdalen’s Church across the gardens and fields from the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. Photo by me

2012 was a year to remember, with not one, but two visits for me this year to England.  One in the late spring and early June, just in time for the Queen’s huge Diamond Jubilee Celebration in London.

The night of the Jubilee Concert at Buckin

The night of the Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. Photo by me June 2012

And later in November to work on the creative workshop we are planning for next September in Bath.

The River Avon runs through Bath. Photo by me.

The River Avon runs through Bath. Photo by me.

In between was the Olympics (which I devoured on TV), and lots of happy news from relatives and friends on both sides of the pond (including my first grand-niece !!!!!).

And then of course, right before Christmas the announcement of the royal baby on his or her way.  Lovely that it will wear the crown either way–boy or girl. As long as the new future monarch is happy and healthy, what does it matter.

What an incredible year.

“Cities” Begins

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, London, paintings, sketching, Travel

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At the end of the summer, I started a new series of paintings called “Cities”  It has been sleeping in my artistic sub conscience for a few years now, ever since I did “Metropolitan Spring” in 2009.

Metropolitan Spring, oil painting by me 2009

It resurfaced in 2011 with two small paintings…

Gallery View, oil painting by me 2011

… “Gallery View” and “The Taxi”, both the result of a visit to my sister’s in NYC and a wintry afternoon visit to MOMA.

Taxi, oil painting by me

As you may have guessed, I spend as much time as I can in cities and especially art museums. Although at the moment I live in a more rural community,  I am drawn to the urban environment and the museums, street scenes, parks and buildings that make them so vibrant.

Times Square, summer 2012, photo by me

After visits to Paris, London, and New York City all in the span of the past 12 months, I decided it was time to explore my three favorite cities that I return to again and again.

The lunch cafe at Tate Modern, London, photo by me

What makes them all so energized, what makes each unique and who are these urban dwellers that I feel so attached to?

The Louvre, photo by me

In the mountains of North Carolina this summer, I started sketching my first canvas. “A Game of Boules, The Tuilleries in Paris” came from a whole series of photos I took while crossing the famous park last spring.

Tuilleries evening-Paris

I sketched this painting months ago when I was up in the mountains but couldn’t quite decide where to go with it. That sometimes happens.

Over the past few months, it all made sense.

It’s only the beginning of the cities series.  I am in the studio every day now working away.  I am always at my best when I am deep in to a new series of paintings.  The energy is great fun.  Almost like being back in the cities that inspired these paintings.

The Shops of Bath

26 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bath, Fashion, Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized

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One of the reasons My Beloved Brit’s cousins wanted to join me in Bath earlier this month was to attempt some early Christmas shopping.  I must say,  the shops in Bath are varied and wonderful.  There are the larger brand names from America like Gap and Banana Republic.

The main shopping street, Milsom. Notice all the bicycles. Cars are not encouraged in Bath. Photo by me

And an array of the better known English chains like Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw and L.K. Bennett.

Jigsaw, in The Old Post Office building. Photo by me

But my favorites were the smaller shops…

An art supply shop almost hidden by an ancient wall. Photo by me

Prince Charles’ estate shop which had all sorts of gardening treasures. Photo by me.

…tucked along the main street and side alleys.

Sausages for Sale in Bath. Heaven on earth for My Beloved Brit. Photo by me

It was nice to see the unique and the imaginative…

Hidden on a narrow cobbled street. Photo by me

…along the cobblestone side streets. There were many, many fine art galleries, some very good.

A favorite small gallery in Bath. Photo by me

A weaving shop. When I passed it later on, there was actually someone working in this room! Photo by me

I must admit, I didn’t buy a thing, although it was tempting.

A side street filled with small shops and tea rooms. Photo by me.

The pound to the dollar made it prohibitive, but it was still a joy to look.

The Salcombe Trading Company. Photo by me

And at the end of my stay they were rapidly putting up the little wooden huts for the upcoming Christmas Market from November 22nd to December 9th.

From the Bath website.

The Christmas Market is set up right between the Roman Baths, and The Abbey. From the Bath Christmas Market website.

‘Tis the season…to shop.

The Botanical Gardens of Bath

22 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bath, England, Gardens, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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I thought you all deserved a leisurely stroll through a gorgeous autumnal setting in honor of that very American celebration, Thanksgiving. So take a break from cooking that turkey, grab a cup of tea, and come along.

Tucked off to the western edge of Bath, past The Royal Crescent , are the Botanical Gardens of Bath. And what better time to visit as the season changes from autumn to winter.

The Botanical Gardens of Bath. Photo by me

Getting there is half the joy. I headed off around Queen’s Square, through the gates to Royal Victoria Park, you came to the very edge of the historic downtown…

Queen's Square, the last bit of city before the park begins. Photo by me

Queen’s Square, the last bit of city before the park begins. Photo by me

Cutting across the park just south of the Royal Crescent. Photo by me

…and the beginning of a gorgeous expanse of greens and groves of trees.

The Botanical Gardens are in the distance, through groves of trees. Photo by me

I walked through what seemed liked pristine English countryside, and finally got to the entrance of the gardens.

Photo by me

Photo by me

Photo by me

The Botanical Gardens, set inside Royal Victoria Park, were designed in 1887 and within their 9 acres of rambling walks is an incredible collection of plants on limestone.

Across from the entrance to the gardens is “The Great Dell”. Photo by me

In classic English style the winding paths revealed quiet coves and gentle gardens each with their seemingly random nature, but actually beautifully planned.

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It was well worth the walk.

Winter is finally approaching Bath. Photo by me

A last burst signaling the end of autumn. Photo by me

A place to rest before the walk back to city centre. Photo by me

The path back to town. Photo by me

Back to Bath Center, and lunch before my train leaves for London.

 

 

Food, glorious food

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bath, England, Food, Travel, United Kingdom

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I am bound to have put on a few pounds this week taste testing my way through Bath.  It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it.

Part of my research is to find suitable restaurants for a couple of group dinners for the planned workshop, and there are so many good dining venues in Bath that My Beloved Brit’s cousins from Andover are joining me for a night to help me out. We taste-tested Hall and Woodhouse, the new hot restaurant in Bath, and it was great.

Hall and Woodhouse–a brewery re-born as a modern restaurant. Photo by me

A tiny chicken and chips. Photo by me

I tried Jamie’s Italian for my first lunch in Bath and it was quite the experience.  It is celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s chain, so I was thinking it might be run of the mill, but the building was a funky take in a historic old Georgian building, with lots of fun decor and a rustic feel to match the food.

Wild mushrooms in pasta pillows with a rocket and parmesan salad. Photo by me

The food was quite good and a very different menu. Across the courtyard they also had a small deli and gift shop.

The bar area at Jamie’s Italian. Photo by me

Jamie’s Italian floats above Bath in this renovation of old Georgian space. Photo of me

I also tried a wood burning oven pizza restaurant for dinner.  (Italian is big is this town–I guess it is the Roman influence). The atmosphere was great, the pizza ok.  But when I saw “California Grill” on the window, I thought this is not what Americans would travel overseas for.

Firehouse. Photo by me

And of course while I was in Bath, I had to try the Sally Lunn’s, home of the original Bath Bun, in one of the oldest homes in Bath.

Sally Lunn’s. Photo by me

I wasn’t expecting much, and yes, it was flooded with international tourists.  But I had the salmon and dill “bun” and a fabulous pot of green tea, and on a chilly rainy day it was just perfect to be packed in with other bun lovers.

Salmon and Dill on Sally’s bun. Photo by me

And just for My Beloved Brit back home safe from the cold rain, I saw this sausage stand out on the street the other day…and thought, I have to take a photo.

There’s nothing like an English sausage. Photo by me

The best meal of the week goes to the day trip I made with MBB’s cousins to Castle Combe and the Castle Inn. Even though it was grey all day, it was the absolute perfect English outing.  I promise a more detailed post later on about Castle Combe and the Castle Inn.

Castle Combe. Is this the perfect English Village, or what? Photo by me

The Castle Inn, where we had lunch. It was perfect. Photo by me

And for my last meal, I was back in Bath for lunch before I left for London to fly from Heathrow in the morning.

One of the hidden courtyards in Bath where you can find all kinds of secret treasures. Photo by me

This is one of the last independently locally owned restaurants left in Bath, and it was packed. Good for them. Photo by me.

Chicken and parma ham to sustain me for the train ride back to London/Heathrow. Photo by me

Back home tonight! Back to sensible eating.

 

Bath, even in the rain, is beautiful.

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, Bath, History, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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I was out walking in the rain yesterday, and managed to have a wonderful time, even with the inclement weather.  My Beloved Brit’s favorite old saying goes something like “…if you didn’t do anything in England because it was raining, you’d never do anything”.

The Pulteney Bridge is the only historic bridge, apart from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, to have shops built in to it, according to the guidebook in my room. Photo by me.

I am busy researching this location for a possible destination workshop for artists next fall, and I must say, this area is so rich in character, museums and spectacular visuals that it seems perfect.

By the side of the River Avon. Photo by me

The weather just adds the atmosphere. The Holburne Museum was my first stop.  Most of the paintings are very traditional 17th and 18th century portraits (there are many beautiful Gainsborough’s) and the mansion is intimate but regal.

The Holburne Museum. Photo by me

One room features a surprisingly fanciful sculptural installation by Bouke de Vries with a base of pottery shards.  It was so very interesting and I was delighted that they would include such an imaginative, modern piece in this classic museum.

Bouke De Vries, War & Pieces, ceramic, At the Holburne, Photo by me.

 

A detail. Photo by me

I am back out researching for the next few days.  I’ll keep you posted.

…and Bath is Bronze

12 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in Bath, Gardens, Travel, United Kingdom

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If London was golden this week, my first impression of Bath when I arrived by train yesterday afternoon was the honey bronze richness of the city under a clear blue English sky and lots of sun.  Yes, even in England they sometimes see the sun.

A glorious afternoon in Bath looking down the Avon River. Photo by me

It has something to do with the color of the gorgeous stone buildings that makes Bath so memorable. The architecture in this small city is Palladian spectacular. You can just imagine Jane Austen sitting in one of the small parks plotting her novels.

The Circus, designed by John Wood the Elder, Bath. Photo by me

The low autumn sun helped to define the classic facades.

The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1775 and contains some 30 houses. Photo by me.

I hated to lose the sun today. Never know when I might see it again over here.  Today’s forecast is for clouds and some scattered showers, and it’s rainy outside now. Time to get the brollie back out.

A walk through the park, Bath. Photo by me

Ah, well.  I always say it is all the rain that makes the gardens and parks so magnificent in Great Britain.  Nowhere better.

A special spot, Heybridge Basin, Essex

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in England, Sailing, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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On our last day in England this past spring before we headed for Heathrow Airport, we met My Beloved Brit’s friends at, what else, a classic British Pub.  Some of his oldest friends had gathered from Australia and England, and of course America, and met around a table for fish’n’chips, a pint and talk and laughter.  It reminded him, I think, that as much as he loved America, he missed his old mates.

A special pub for a reunion lunch. Photo by me

We had arrived in the village of Heybridge Basin a bit early and decided to take a walk around.  From the moment we strolled up the bank from the parking area, I knew we were someplace special.

There are many boats moored on the small canal that empties in to the basin. Construction of the canal commenced in 1793 to facilitate unloading inside the sea locks. Photo by me.

We walked down to the River Blackwater.  There was lots to see.

The boats on Blackwater. Photo by me

We headed out along the seawall as clouds gathered.

We walked out along the seawall. You can see the lock on the left hand side which opens onto the canal. Photo by me.

Sailing barges going up the Blackwater Estuary as they have for centuries, where the Blackwater and Chelmer Rivers come together at the basin. MBB tells me the topsail was used to maneuver the boats at low tides to catch the wind above the river banks. Photo by me

It was just perfect to watch the boats coming and going as we walked up the seawall.

The clouds build as we work our way down the seawall. Photo by me.

We hurriedly worked back along the river to meet up for lunch at the pub before the rain clouds came overhead.

Time to head inside for a nice lunch. Photo by me.

Nothing like lunch in a nice cozy pub when the rain clouds gather.

I am back in the UK next week to research locations for a destination’s workshop I want to offer in the autumn of 2013. It is tentatively titled “A Creative Journey: How to find Inspiration in Travel”.  I am looking at Bath, one of my favorite cities and a huge art center in the UK, for the venue.  Will keep you posted as it evolves.

 

Going Up?

29 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in England, Travel, Uncategorized

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One of the joys of travelling in Great Britain is the unique individuality of accommodations.  And with this comes those narrow steep stairs that seem to be standard in the more historic Inns. I know I have moaned before about the lack of elevators, and the necessity of dragging luggage up narrow staircases.

A narrow, steep staircase in Broadway in the Cotswolds. No elevators at all! Photo by me.

But as much as I grow weary of them, I must admit after a short time traveling in cookie cutter hotels with large modern elevators in the U.S., I almost miss the charm of those staircases.

This staircase might make you cry if it wasn’t so beautiful…the club where I stayed in London. Photo by me

The staircases take on a personality all their own, and as much as I dread them, it wouldn’t be an England without that challenge.

Even outside the yacht club in Burnham-on-Crouch in England, the steps can be treacherous but lovely. Photo by me

Where Kate Met Wills

19 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by in Scotland, The Royal Family, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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We went to St. Andrews for a sunny afternoon visit on our way out of Scotland last summer and it truly is a lovely university town.  It was jam-packed with students on a warm day (by Scottish standards), and we wandered up and down the streets looking for a spot for lunch.

The students were all out enjoying the sunshine. Photo by me.

I couldn’t help but think of the well-publicised relationship between Catherine, a “commoner” and William, the future King of Great Britain, starting in this very typical collegiate environment.  It seemed the natural place for it all to have begun. Seeing shots of their Asian Diamond Jubilee Tour this past week (they’re on their way home now), it’s hard to believe it all started as a college romance.

St. Andrews in Scotland — home to past and future kings. Photo by me

As My Beloved Brit and I turned a corner looking for a spot to have a sandwich, I noticed the sign in a window across the street, “Where Kate Met Wills…for coffee”, and thought the ghosts of romance past will linger on in this town for decades. I’m sure they look with fond memories at the town that allowed them some level of privacy as they got to know each other.

The coffee shop in St. Andrews where Kate and Wills hung out…so they say. Photo by me.