Stroud

 

An oil painting of the town from the 18th century when it was known for weaving woollen broadcloth. Stroudwater Scarlet cloth, use by the millitary, can seen hanging in the fields to dry, dyed in the tubs seen by the  river.

But back today to walk up the museum via Stratford Park,

to see an extraordinary exhibition of animate wooden sculptures created by an octogenarian using a re-purposing approach. He began by making miniatures and dollhouses.  Is that where I'm going?

With us for the day was grandson Isaac and his mum. 

New Cabinate Installed

 

New storage for Gek's stuff. Be a tidy play room now. 😄

Burns Night

 

A gathering of the boys for a nosh, haggis, neeps, tatties and, of course, a dram or three.

A Busy Day

 

at the Court.

Cardiff Visit

 

One of the many city arcads, up stairs

and down.

Backpackering 9 - Day 5

Homeward bound through Hyde Park passing swans

passed by boarders

for a cafe brunch, trad for me, mod for Gek.

Opportunity for arty photo taken.

Backpackering 9 - Day 4

 

Walking passed, you know where, and the crowd waiting for the changing of the guard,

on the way to Chinatown to meet up with friends for lunch.

But first, a must do shop at Loon Fung. 

Then, a must do visit to where Gek and I met up 20 years ago this week, the Royal Academy of Art cafe.

Backpackering 9 - Day 3

A walk out to the V&A Museum after collecting Gek's new passport from the Singapore High Commission

Next, a walk down to the River Thames, passing a Henry Moore art work,

to Vauxhall Bridge and the MI6 offices.

on the way to Tate Britain. All a walk for us down memory lane from 20 years ago.

On the way back, a row of  natural sculptures.

Backpackering 9 - Day 2

 

A day out to Brighton to visit a couple of places we missing out on, on our last trip there. 

First, the Toy and Model Museum

with dollhouse miniatures, of course.

Second, the Royal Pavilion

in between which we tripped down to

take the view from the pier.

Gek and Toby enjoying it, inspite of the cold. 

Backpacking 9 - Day1

 

Arriving at Paddington Station, we took the walk across Hyde Park towards Victoria passing its partially frozen lake.

You had to feel sorry for the birdies there.

Finished this Day

 

An AI design created by our neighour Clive. Nine evenings of needling.

A Christmas Greeting

 from FUA.

Well, David, her carer.

Tredegar House, Newport

 

The original Tudor building was erected in  c1490 by the Morgan family, with the current house being completed in the 1670's, by Sir William Morgan. 

But before going indoor, we looked around what is left of the original 53,000 acre grounds, with a 280 year old sweet chestnut tree,

 this lake,

and a posh gate.

A walk through the walled formal garden, with a cedar tree and festive pines, 

to the splendor within,

also with a festive spin.

Dingle Leaf Clearing, Stump to Stump

Christmas Decs Done

 

Christmas a'kumin.

 With visitors this year.

Jigsaw

 

Before

and after.