Every tall person in London seemed to be at the Lucien Freud exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery the other night.  I stood on tiptoe, ducked under elbows, even jumped a little once or twice(!) in my determination to get close to the paintings to study the subtle colours and textures of (acres of) flesh.  

I was very glad that I'd watched the recent BBC film on Freud just before going as it really helped to bring so many of the paintings alive.  The subjects of the paintings became real people.  I knew about their relationship with the painter, their histories, their feelings and frustrations with a talented and difficult man.

And to follow, up to Soho for a bowl of shio ramen at Ittenbari (which means, I am reliably informed, 'one trick pony').  Delicious and almost like being in Tokyo!

Bluebell Carpet

There was a sunny break in amongst the April showers this weekend so we headed off on our annual search for bluebells.  This year we found them on Leith Hill, near Dorking.  Oh, the smell was glorious!

Then up the hill to the tower, built in 1765,  to see the view from the highest point in south-east England. 

The bluebell season is supposed to be shorter than usual this year, due to the exceptionally warm March we had, so get out to see some soon!

Yoke Jacket Yarnalong

 

Joining in with Ginny 

Ramona's not finished yet but that hasn't stopped me from starting something new! It's the Yoke Jacket 1781 from Sirdar. I've made it once before for my little girl and my mum's knocked out a couple of versions too so it is most definitely a favoured pattern.  I'm making it in pure white for the summer.  I've lived in England long enough to know a cardie is essential during June, July AND August! 

My one complaint (apart from the weather) would be that the Snugly yarn really dries my hands out.  It's 55% nylon, 45% acrylic so not a scrap of wool in sight which might be why we've been reading The Sleep Sheep by Anna McQuinn and Hannah Shaw this week! 

It's a funny little read with some counting practice and busy pictures  to study which give us lots to talk about.

I decided to miss out the word 'elderly' when reading this bit though! 

The Spring Tee that I wrote about in a previous Yarnalong is finished and can be viewed here (if you're interested!).