I've been trying to focus on small things whilst all around me a world I no longer recognise or understand seems to be in turmoil. I find that it's hard to find anything worthy to say here when there is so much uncertainty and suffering everywhere. I could rant about my frustrations with politics but this isn't and has never been a political blog so therefore, to quote the wonderful Alan Bennett, I'm just going to 'keep on keeping on' and try and record the things that I have been doing and seeing around here and elsewhere over the last few weeks and hope that is okay with everyone.
The Wednesday before the Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK we travelled to meet friends for lunch at Wightwick Manor near Wolverhampton. We all wanted to see the new gallery which is now a permanent home for the De Morgan Collection. No photographs of the exhibition but it is a wonderful collection of the ceramics of William De Morgan and paintings by his wife Evelyn De Morgan.
The collection was founded by Evelyn's sister Wilhelmina Stirling. After her death in 1965 the De Morgan Foundation was established. Below are a couple of links to follow to find out more
Guardian Article/National Trust Page
Scenes from Wightwick Manor
Guardian Article/National Trust Page
On the Saturday of Bank Holiday weekend we visited Little Moreton Hall to see a new exhibition on the history of sleep in Tudor times
The exhibition showed how people approached sleep in those times. Their beliefs, fears, ways of sleeping and what they ate and drank particularly before bedtime and also remedies to combat sleeplessness.
There was also a wonderful exhibition of replica Tudor ceramics
Our garden has also been the focus of attention recently and I've been constantly pulling out grass and trying to keep the wood avens and buttercups at bay, they seem to have taken over this year. The Chive flowers, Geums, Valerian and Hardy Geraniums have been covered in bees, I've never seen so many at one time. We've had a wonderful array of birds feeding at the feeders including Gold Finch, Robins, Green Finch, Blue tits, Bull finch and loads of starlings and sparrows. Mrs Fox visits every evening looking for scraps and one night, just as dusk was falling, she honoured us with bringing her three little cubs to visit, it was lovely to see them.
Last Wednesday we headed out to Matlock Bath to visit the little Chapel I featured in my last post. We also walked along the River Derwent into Matlock through the park and back along the main road taking in a mooch around the antique centre on the way back to the car. We stopped at the newly refurbished National Stone Centre on the way back for a late lunch at their new cafe which is called Gastro Pod. The food was delicious, quite pricey but the portions were huge so we shared a Veggie Club Sandwich which was quite sufficient for us. I'd left my camera in the car so can't share a photo with you.
I share your feelings, my blog has never been political but I felt I had to mention a Manchester as I owe it so much. I know Wightwick and Little Moreton Hall well but Matlock is on my to do list ! X
ReplyDeleteThere are some lovely little shops in Matlock, its a place I've visited since childhood ditto Matlock Bath and Cromford - the book shop there is wonderful:)
DeleteIt might be time for a trip back to Wightwick to see the de Morgan collection. I saw a small part recently in Leicester at New Walk.
ReplyDeleteIt's a super exhibition if you get the chance to go, with some lovely things to see:)
DeleteWhat a joy to see the Tudor ceramics, they are certainly very special. Difficult times indeed, my heart goes out to all those affected by the Manchester and London events, heart breaking.
ReplyDeleteThe tudor cermaics were wonderful and it's good to see how they would have been used:)
DeleteWhat glorious flowers you have, I haven't spent nearly enough time out in the garden.
ReplyDeleteA lot of those flowers have been dashed by yesterday and today's wind and rain, glad I photographed them when I did:)
DeleteI'm glad to see the Dr Morgan collection has found a new home as I saw it in Wandsworth before it had to be moved. You've been busy visiting some of my favourite places and your garden looks a treat.
ReplyDeleteI think it has been looking for a more permanent home for ages and Wightwick is ideal for it:)
DeleteLovely post - and a lovely shot of Little Moreton Hall. Your photo collages are great. And I think you're right, we obviously have to keep on - 'KBO' as Churchill used to say. But with purpose. As my father used to say, Nil illegitimus carborandum'! And they won't.
ReplyDeleteHa - no they won't get us down! Keep calm and carry on:)
DeleteA lovely post Rosie - you are right we have to carry on in these worrying and upsetting times.
ReplyDeleteWightwick Manor is near the top of my places to visit - we actually drove past it last year on the way back from Morville! Only the thought of traffic on the dreaded M6 North puts me off! You have certainly visited some lovely places recently and so pleased you had a visit from the fox cubs :)
Thanks, yes we just have to keep going and hope for the best. It was lovely to see the cubs, we'd seen one so it was a surprise to see two more. We drove the back way from here to Wightwick towards Newport via Cosford and Albrighton and turned off the Wolverhampton road through a village that led us close to the entrance. I expect it is far more difficut coming the other way:)
DeleteSurprise yourself and others by coming out for Corbyn on Thursday. Being old-fashioned Labour is something to be proud of and I love you for it. An occasional rant does us no harm.
ReplyDeleteAs for Wightwick Manor, it's one of my favourite places, arts and crafts through and through, the home of radicals and how I love the chairs in every room with cat cushions on them, signifying that you can sit down. There is no better way of see a room. The magical moment for me on seeing the De Morgan Collection exhibition was pulling open the drawers and seeing row upon row of ceramic tiles, breathtaking in their beauty. And the garden and grounds are wonderful too. How I would love Wightwick Manor within a few minutes drive of my home instead of two hours. A truly truly wonderful place.
Wightwick is wonderful isn't it and it was great to share it with you and Susan. Sorry you had such an horrendous journey back much like ours getting there after to M6 closures filled up the other roads around Stafford. Loved the cat cushions too more of those than the usual teazles on chairs. The drawers full of such fine things in the gallery were wonderful. I don't think I've ever voted for any party but Labour since I could first vote in 1970 as my conscience wouldn't allow me to do otherwise. Take carexx
DeleteLovely post Rosie:) I think I will have to pay a visit to the exhibition you visited and try out some of those old sleep remedies as I often lie awake at night... The collage of flowers makes me want to get out into the garden. I hope all of this rain hasn't ruined your beautiful display xx
ReplyDeleteThey recommend drinking lettuce soup before bedtime as it is supposed to 'promote sleep by sedating the nervous system' I wonder if it works? I'm afraid the wind and rain haven't been kind to the garden over the last couple of days:)
DeleteThat sounds like an interesting exhibition, might try to catch it myself if I can!
ReplyDeleteSome parts of it are fascinating, the pottery is lovely:)
DeleteI recognize that leaflet! I have one from a visit to Cannon Hall where there was a small exhibition of beautiful De Morgan ceramics. Your recent visits to different exhibitions and places look very interesting. Getting out and about and gardening has to be done on dry days here at the moment. We're constantly looking at the weather forecast as we plan an opportunity to go out somewhere for the day.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is the key isn't it? We were going to get out and about today but the rain stopped us and now it's too late the sun is out! The De Morgan Ceramics are wonderful aren't they?:)
DeleteBlogs that highlighted the domestic arts first captured my interest. I loved the creative exchanges. I missed the creative group I had been a part of before moving to Oregon. Our creative group was diverse in political, financial, and religious positions, but our common focus was our shared joy of creativity, and we tended to tread lightly in discussing anything but our creative pursuits even after 9/11. I have taken the same tact in my blog although I have been tempted to quit publishing posts. But so far instead, from time to time I acknowledge and mourn bad news, but aim to appreciate what I find interesting, creative and beautiful around me. "Stay calm, but carry on," encourages me to carry on blogging.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another beautiful and interesting post, Rosie!
It is hard not to discuss world events and politics in particular when they do affect our daily lives so much but we still need beauty and kindness in the world and joy in simple things so I carry on just reporting on places I have visited and things that have caught my attention in the hopes that I won't offend anyone. I'm glad you are going to carry on writing your blog too:)
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