Artists at work

Today we went to Weston-Super-Mare, where this part of the beach was full of children building sandcastles. It was great to see so much enthusiastic activity on the beach, for it wasnt the warmest of days.

Perhaps the inspiration for their work was happening a little further along, where the International Sand Sculpture Association was having a competition with a theme of the continents of the world.

They were still working on Asia.

North America was pretty impressive

Antarctica was simply amazing, what with the perspective and all that.

Look at the detail! And the flag is made of sand too. How?

We spent a happy hour wandering about taking photographs and marvelling at the work

trying to decide which we liked best

before going into the tea rooms just along the way for hot chocolate and a bacon sandwich!

Clouds

We've been in London overnight, at an awards do at the Dorchester (which explains yesterday's photo of the day). As we drove home earlier this evening, we heard that Fairford Air Tattoo had been cancelled due to the weather, which surprised us, for it's not been too bad up there in the capital. Seems as though the car parks were waterlogged though, and I imagine that would have caused a huge problem.

Mind you, so might have this...

As we approached Swindon, I could see this huge thundercloud looming in front of us. Maggie, it looks like it's coming from your house - hope it's not Robin's frustration!!

It started to rain heavily for a very shrot time indeed - probably less than five minutes, and then the sun came out as we drove through and out the other side.

By the time we reached Cirencester, the sky was blue and you'd never have imagined it had been any different.

Whilst we were in London, I dropped into the Nokia shop to ask for help sending photographs to my blog from my N95 phone. You wouldn't believe how helpful and patient the response was - I was in there over an hour and am so nearly there. I think what remains is a Vodafone problem, but those guys in the Nokia store in Regent Street deserve huge praise for their tenacity and determination. At one point there were five phones and three pairs of hands on the problem - I sat back and let them get on with it - you know how fast those thumbs and fingers can fly around those little keypads!!

The wall

When I drive in a westerly direction from home, my journey often takes me along a wonderful stretch of Cotswold stone wall. It's a particularly special wall, for not only does it run in a single stretch for more than a mile, the design is unusual with a ridge running most of the length about a foot from the top. When, as often happens, a stretch collapses due to a collision or maybe just the weather, it is repaired almost immediately by a team of stonemasons who work inside a specially constructed tent. When they are finished, it's nearly impossible to see where they have worked, so fine is their craftsmanship.

One end of the wall begins at this unassuming gateway, set at right angles to the road with two fine pillars.

The other end is the entrance to the park itself, and a small lodge at the gateway.

Apart from knowing that this was the boundary wall for Lypiatt Park, I knew little else about the place. Some time ago, we had a talk at my WI from someone who'd been a housekeeper, but at the time I made no connection with the grand country house where she had worked and my favourite wall.

But lo and behold, in this month's Cotswold Life magazine, the owner of Lypiatt Park is profiled and it would appear that exciting things are happening somewhere behind that wall as a Sculpture Park is planned. Formerly the home of internationally renowned sculptor, Lynn Chadwick , it appears to have also been won in a bet placed by Dick Whittington. Not only that, but it might also have been the location of a fateful meeting between Robert Catesby and his co-conspirators (inlcuing Guy Fawkes) when the plan for the Gunpowder Plot was finialised.

Who'd have thought it?

Back from LaLa land

Since we got back on Sunday, I've been trying very hard to upload my video of the 4th July fireworks, firstly via YouTube and then using Vimeo. In both case, my file was too large and my video-editing experience isn't sufficient to make dealing with that a speedy process. So, for now, a few pictures to be going on with.

 

I think that it may be the case that Americans living overseas are more enthusiastic about their 4th July celebrations than those at home. Certainly, our expectations of a day full of red white and blue, energetic patriotism, parades and the like were not quite accurate. Of course, the signs were there, some smaller businesses were closed for the day and we spotted the occasional person dressed in stars and stripes, but otherwise this looked like a normal day, much the same as any other.

 

In the evening we headed, along with 24,996 others, to the Hollywood Bowl where the LA Philharmonic were celebrating 50 years of the Dodgers Baseball Team in Los Angeles together with the traditional Independence Day concert.

 

Mary had secured us excellent seats and we had a fine view of the stage and the screens on this beautiful Los Angeles summer evening.

 

The orchestra turned out wearing Dodgers shirts in the spirit of the occasion and the atmosphere was warm and funny. We loved every minute.

 

And yes, we were on our best behaviour!

 

By the time the fireworks were due, darkness had fallen and the crowd were expecting something very special. We had never seen such a spectacular display - I hope I can share it with you soon!

Afterwards, we made our way home via the backstage area and had this privileged view of the Bowl, as seen from the stage. My goodness, what it must feel like to perform in front of such a huge audience!

 

As we passed the iconic entrance before taking the short walk back to Mary's apartment, we remarked on the suitably splendid finale to our trip. We have loved every minute of it!!

Red White and Blue

When we planned our trip, we decided to stay an extra day or two to take in the 4th July celebrations and were delighted when Mary booked tickets for the Hollywood Bowl show - a great way to finish our holiday.

 

Yesterday, we had a great time doing one or two last minute things, taking in some of those "Only in LA" moments - where a dog's life includes such luxuries as being taken for a walk in a papoose and a place where you can take your owner (on a leash of course) to buy your home baked doggy goodies.

 

There was time for frozen yoghurt before heading out - we kidded ourselves that it was better for us than ice cream but it was so yummy I very much doubt it.

As we drove in a round about kind of way to Mary's, there was time to snap one of those buildings which always make us smile as we pass by.

The show last night will be fully reported later. For now, there are suitcases to be packed and just that bit more of Californian goodness to be experienced before we head on home.

See you there!