Category Archives: United Kingdom

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.

Poppy Day

11 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by in England, History, London, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Remembrance Day in Great Britain is also known as “Poppy Day”.  All over the UK around November 11th you see people wearing poppies to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918.  Hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” in accordance with the armistice.

Poppies for Armistice Day. Photo by me

Today poppies are worn by many British citizens in memory of members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty — the UK version of America’s Veterans’ Day.

For a small donation, poppies are available all over London this weekend (here at the Victoria & Albert Museum), and everyone is wearing them. Photo by me.

The red remembrance poppy is a widely displayed emblem of Remembrance Day in honor of the poem “in Flanders Field.” These poppies bloomed across some of the worst Battlefields on Flanders, their blood-red color an appropriate symbol of the blood spilled.

My poppy. Photo by me

In Flanders Fields  (John McCrae)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Election Spending: UK vs. US

05 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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I found this interesting table of election spending for the last two general elections in the UK on the UK Political Info site. It shows that in the 2010 general election all parties spent under 30,000,000 pounds.

Consider that the United States’ elections this year will be the most expensive ever, with parties spending over $6 billion, according to Reuters.

Granted we are a much larger country, but it still gives you pause.

None the less, tomorrow is U.S. election day…please, get out and Vote.

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.

 

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.

The Flower Box

10 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by in Burnham-on-Crouch, Cornwall, England, Gardens, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Everywhere we went in Great Britain on our travels there was a great profusion of flower boxes.

A perfect window dressing. Photo by me

From the simplest to the most elaborate they were everywhere.

A creative flower display in Fowey, Cornwall, England on the southwest coast. Photo by me

The English love their gardens and if they don’t have a bit of land to plant in they will create a plot to hang on a wall, …

Like a special hat over the doorway, these bright red geraniums decorate a building in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. Photo by me

…grace a pub in London,

Happy hour on a Friday afternoon made happier by the flowers over head. Photo by me

or swing from a doorway.

A flower basket at the front door. Photo by me

I think they get their inspiration from the rock walls nearby.  With all the rain, flowers grow anywhere. It really is special to see.

Flowers on the cliff walls. Photo by me

 

 

Topiary

04 Tuesday Sep 2012

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

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There was a great excitement at the Chelsea Flower Show in London this past May about the use of topiary in landscaping. A classic element of gardening had made a stunning reappearance at the show, and it made me aware how much the feature is used in British gardens.

As we drove around we did notice the most amazing shrubbery…

A long shaped hedge at Penshurst Place. Photo By me.

…clipped and trained in the most wonderful, fanciful shapes.

Outside a castle in Scotland. Photo by me

I can’t image the amount of time and care that goes in to creating and keeping these lovely sculptures alive and in trim.

Topiary in Scotland. Photo by me.

But the effort is greatly appreciated…even the most simple.

Simple topiary at Sandringham at the gates to the old stables. Photo by me

I have started looking for them, and comparing their beautiful shapes. It’s great to know they can survive even in these modern times when something that might take years to accomplish seems less popular. With topiary, patience is definitely a virtue

A whimsical bush in Broadway, The Cotswolds. Photo by me

I love the artistic, sculptural quality of them.

I love how this mimics the stone. Photo by me

And the surprise of seeing these fabulous shapes when you least expect them. The English love their gardens and are willing to spend hours on achieving great beauty. And we love discovering them.

Clipped foliage borders the lawn at Houghton Hall. Photo by me.

End of Summer

01 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in Burnham-on-Crouch, England, Sailing, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Seems like summer has flown by, and now it’s coming to an end.  Burnham Week is ending in England, Labor Day is Monday, the kids have gone back to school, I am back in the studio working and hurricane news floods the forecasts.

The park near the marina in Burnham-on-Crouch on a sunny summer day. Photo by me.

We are already talking about next summer in England, but in a few months, the boats will have to be put up for the winter, and the sailors will have to be content to sit at the pub and tell tales of last summer’s races. I think that has already begun.

Boats in Burnham. Photo by me.

Ye Olde White Harte Inn

27 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in Burnham-on-Crouch, England, Sailing, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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When you are traveling, it is always lovely to come back to a place that you have stayed before, and find welcoming each and every time.  When we are in Burnham-on-Crouch, My Beloved Brit’s favorite sailing spot for decades, we stay on the seafront at The White Harte. In honor of Burnham Week this week, I thought it was the perfect time to re-visit an old favorite.

The White Harte on the seawall side of Burnham-on-Crouch. Photo by me.

The White Harte is located on the “seawall” facing the River Crouch, with easy access to the yacht clubs, restaurants and old friends who live in town.

The front door of The White Harte, “G. J.Lewis, licensed to sell Beer, Wines, Spirits & Tobacco. Licensed in pursuance of Act of Parliament for Music & Dancing.” Photo by me

On our trip this year we were able to reserve our favorite room, #6, and were pleased to find that it had been newly refreshed with classic floral drapes, and new carpet.  The room is on the back of the inn facing towards the high street rather than the seafront, but it is roomy and can accommodate our massive amount of luggage–and it is only one flight of steps up from the parking area, so easier to haul the luggage to the room.

Almost all the comforts of home, room #6 at The White Harte. Photo by me

One of the best parts of our stay is the full English breakfast in the dining room that looks out on the seafront walk.

Outside the front door of the old inn–the seawall is the perfect place to gather if the sun comes out. Photo by me.

So as we eat our breakfast, we can watch the dog walkers and the odd boats sail out for an early morning move up the river.

My Beloved Brit managed to get a full English breakfast with sausage and bacon, almost every morning. I loved watching early morning walkers along the sea wall. Photo by me.

There is an active pub downstairs from our room…

A corner of the White Harte’s pub, a favorite gathering place in town. Photo by me.

…where most evenings you can find a friendly face to share a pint with and catch up on the latest “dock talk”, the grapevine of information that constantly runs through Burnham.

The pub downstairs from our room. It’s quiet in the morning, but by lunch it comes alive. Photo by me.

Of course, as the saying goes, what starts at one end of the seawall changes considerably by the time it gets to the other end, but it still keeps the lines of communications open.

The seawall stretches from one end of town to the other and is a great place to run in to friends and find out the last news…”dock talk”. Photo by me.

MBB has known John Lewis, the inn’s proprietor, for many years, and his father before him. I love Burnham.  It is like coming home for me, and with the sailing involved and the old familiar faces, it’s even a better stop for MBB.