to Babylon, Byzantium and back home

I've been in London, primarily for a conference at the Hotel Russell, from where I had a view of a most intriguing building which turned out to be nothing at all what I expected it to be, although it does have an interesting history.

Whilst there, the news from home regarding snow and ice was not encouraging.  It had been the plan that Mark would drive up on Friday, for a meeting of his own, so I'd stay an extra night and take the opportunity to visit an exhibition or two.  But Gloucestershire was said to be under a foot or more of heavy snow and our plans were thrown into confusion.  On Friday morning, Mark made the split second decision to set off early and catch the 7am train and as luck would have it, he got out before the worst snow fell.

Unbelievably, that train arrived on time and we met as I finished my breakfast on Friday morning.

It had been our plan to visit the British Museum to see the Babylon  exhibition but we'd been unlucky as it was sold out.  This time, however, the weather was in our favour as we took the shortcut across the square as the museum opened and not only did we walk straight in but had the place almost to ourselves.

Though I'd seen some of the exhibits in their home in Berlin, I had forgotten how beautifully preserved many of them are.  We were staggered by the intricacy of the cuneiform characters and the richness of the colour in the glazed reliefs from the processional way.  I also loved the design of the exhibit - the "gold leaf" panels with cut out lettering, the contrast dark blue typeface on the soft gold background.  Excellent all round we thought.

The contrast of old and new in this building always impresses, too. 

After a spot of shopping and a fruitless search for something  to wear to the races next month, we met our friend Tra outside the Royal Academy to visit Byzantium and another visual feast.  A little more crowded than Babylon, but still easy to see the details and to marvel at the sophistication of the workmanship - hard to believe that some of these beautiful things were more than two thousand years old.  Sadly, the chandelier at the entrance to the exhibition was way too big for home!

My favourite was the Mummy panel from the first century.  Such a realistic portrait, so contemporary in feel it was hard to imagine that this had been painted in such a different age.  Love it.

We'd booked an early supper at The Wolseley and walked over, spotting this fun window display in Fortnum and Mason's on the way.  Edward met us at the restaurant and we had a great time catching up with Tra's news and doing a bit of star spotting....Melvyn Bragg and Bill Nighy amongst other familiar faces whose names we couldn't place.

Stayed another night at the Russell, with somewhat contrasting artwork to that which we'd seen earlier in the day - these are illuminated panels set into the wall, which, I suspect, will not have quite the shelf life of the Mummy panel...

Then home on Saturday morning.  A Challenge.  Engineering work on the line  meant a bus from Reading to Swindon and a rather longer journey than anticipated.  A short stop in Waitrose where the crowds and the panic buying made it feel like Christmas Eve all over again and finally home, around 1pm.

 The snow is still here.

The White Stuff

We woke up to more snow this morning which came as a bit of a surprise.

It looks lovely and is just the right kind of snow to have fun with.

Except that we have things to do, places to go...

A night out in Minchinhampton

A quick turnaround last night, since Mark was involved in this year's Minchinhampton Community Sing, performing a piece written by the Stuart Singers accompanist, Barrie Cooper, entitled Fishermen of Galilee.

In spite of the threatening weather, the church was full and the singers in fine voice. The cantata is fantastic - Barrie is such a talented composer and I hope that this "one-off" performance won't be the end of it for surely there are more community choirs who would enjoy the work.

After only four rehearsals, I think the performance was remarkable.  Have a listen and see what you think.

Oh, and Mark's solo was the best bit, of course ;-)

Treasures together again

I'm home from a weekend with the Textile Treasures.  After spending so much time together last year making an exhibition of ourselves, we thought it would be fun to spend a weekend catching up on the gossip and perhaps, learning a new trick or two.

I spent the weekend in Hertfordshire and learned a little of the County.

What I really mean was that I slept in the Hertfordshire room, of course, at our college in Oxfordshire. 

Best of all, one of my favourite pieces from the exhibition was right there on my bedside table.

I am so in awe of the technical skills which were used to create that fantastic piece of pulled thread work.  Every square inch of it is exquisite and there is not an end or a knot to be seen anywhere.

Believe me, I've looked.

We spent our time on more ephemeral pieces, beading bracelets and learning to crimp.

We learned a new stitch and hope to remember how it was done once we're home.

We also did strange things with silk cocoons - the treasures referred to this as a "cow's udder".  Thanks, friends...

Every time I visit the college these days, I wonder if it will be the last time I have the privilege of a close up view of this amazing piece of work.  Perhaps next time I go, it will have gone for restoration and a new permanent home.  So I took one or two more photographs for my collection.

As always, the worst bit of a workshop is putting it all away again afterwards.

Blessed

 

"The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed."  Maya Angelou

A more apt quote for Monday, really, but with so many people facing all kinds of difficulty, it's just what I need to put my minor mutterings into perspective.