A Rainy Staycation

Question:  You are a family group ranging from an energetic three year old through to a disabled 78 year old.  You are on a week's holiday in Cornwall.  It constantly rains for six days out of seven.  What do you do?

Answer:  Eat ice cream.  Lots of ice cream.  

At least you get the beach to yourself..........................

Rain Bonnets and The Homewood

National Trust visitors are a hardy lot.  It takes more than a bit of rain to stop a garden tour! The lady on the right seems to be wearing one of those plastic bonnets, the kind that concertina up into a small rectangle, to be kept in the handbag 'just in case'.  

I remember, back in the early '70s, our local hairdressers, Yvonne's, had a box of them on the reception desk, so that the ladies could protect their 'shampoo and set'.  I can vividly remember my mum wearing hers.  She would have only been in her thirties!  Can't imagine anyone that age wearing one now and I for one would rather have wet hair! 

Anyway, The Homewood!  This gorgeous house looks so modern yet astonishingly it was designed and built (by 24 year old Patrick Gwynne) in 1938, when the local milkman still did his rounds by horse and cart! 

The Gwynne family loved to entertain so it was built as a party house with a sprung wooden floor for dancing.  Photography is not allowed indoors but can be viewed here.

From inside there are some delightful glimpses of the garden, little snapshots which reminded me of Japanese design, yet when viewed as a whole it seems endless as it merges seamlessly into the surrounding common land.

If it weren't for the fact that it is perishing cold in winter despite the heating system (at least 3 overcoats needed apparently!) then I'd move in tomorrow, wouldn't you?

Wimbledon Day 7

A great day on Centre Court.  Royals, Nadal, Murray, Venus, military men, barley water, strawberries, photographers, Cliff Richard - and bizarrely not a drop of rain!

MillaMia Helena Cardigan

Strangely, taking part in the KCWC has reignited my knitting mojo!  

This cardie has been a sleeve away from completion for months.  So, I gave myself a good talking to and just got on with it.  One week later, there it was, completed and, of course, lying at the back of the drawer as it is much too warm to wear at the moment! 

Another MillaMia project which has also been in limbo for months is currently blocking and a Rowan summer top is nearly finished.  I'm on fire!  

Ottolenghi Cookbook

Roasted aubergine with saffron yoghurt

Everything I've ever made from the Ottolenghi cookbook has been delicious.  Yet despite the high success rate, I don't use it very much!  

 Chargrilled cauliflower with tomato, dill and capers

It's simply because when I browse through, I can't chose just one dish to make but have to select a variety.  

Chargrilled broccoli with chilli, garlic and almonds

 
Mealtime then becomes a bit of a mammoth preparation and cooking session. 

 Carmargue red rice and quinoa with orange and pistachios

This dinner was well worth the effort!

Cornflower Blue

Why is it that, despite having a cupboard full of vases, I often don't have quite the right one?  

These beautiful cornflowers are living in the lovely Gertrude Jekyll Munstead Flower Glass Number 3.  Perhaps I "need" a full set!

Whitechapel Gallery

A visit to the Whitechapel Gallery, primarily to see the Government Art Collection: At Work exhibition.   Two thirds of the Government Art Collection's 13,500 plus works are on display in British Government buildings in nearly every capital city.  This exhibition is only small (just 25 pieces chosen by seven public figures) but very gripping.

I was surprised that some of my favourite pieces had all been chosen by Nick Clegg and even more surprised that, apart from the Lowry, I disliked all of Samantha Cameron's choices.

 Tea by David Tindle (a Clegg choice!)

Sadly, I was only able to spend an hour at the gallery, which just wasn't long enough to drink in all seven exhibitions.  I did, however, find time to drink in some coffee and delicious cake.......  There will be four more hangings of the GACAW exhibition before it closes in 2012.  Next time I visit, I'll be sure to allow plenty of time.  

Just as thrilling was the "Home for Orphaned Dishes", a display by Alan Kane of traditional wheel-thrown, glazed stone and slipware pottery in rustic shapes and earthy tones.  All were accumulated at car boot sales, charity shops and jumble sales and the public is invited to rescue more to add to the display.  I would happily have taken at least half the collection home with me!