Hacked email

 On Tuesday my email account was hacked. Currently I am unable to access it eventhough I changed the password as soon as I realised. I apologise to anyone who might have received an email supposedly from me. I have not emailed any of my blog followers so please delete any email sent in my name. I have reported the incident but it still has not been resolved.

British Art

 I visited the Tate Britain art gallery this week to see the excellent Turner and Constable exhibition, more about that in another post. I was there early and went to see a few of my favourite British paintings from the permanent collection at Tate Britain.

The familiar stick like figures of LS Lowry. I am from Stretford, Manchester and his work reminds me of places visited whilst a child. of my childhood in that area. When I was about 16, a school friend asked if I wanted to go with her to Lowry's house as she knew where he lived. I stupidly declined the offer. She did go and managed to speak to him and came away with a small sketch.

My interest in art started as a schoolchild in Manchester visiting galleries there, especially the Whitworth gallery which had a good collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

I only ever think of Elizabeth Frink as a sculptor so I was surprised to see her drawings in the gallery which was very naive of me as being a sculptor would also mean that you are probably a very good draughtsman as well.

I like Henry Moore's sculptures. Fortunately many are in outdoor public places where it is possible to touch them as I find them so tactile. 

This painting came to light in Series 7 (2018) of the BBC show: Fake or Fortune? when it was authenticated as a painting by Emma Soyer. It is now on loan to the Tate.

Hogarth's drawings/etchings told us much about London during the 17th and 18th centuries.

I come to the Tate to see the exhibitions but I must return to look at more of the paintings in the permanent collection here as there is so much to see in rooms that are rarely crowded.

Walk update

 

A group of 11 turned up for the walk. Everyone had taken heed of the warning and brought walking poles with them. We took it slowly and nobody slipped in the mud.  Fortunately it wasn't raining and everyone seemed to enjoy the walk.

Westerham circular walk

 As some of you know I lead walks for the u3a. Some of the walks are guided walks around London based on my research whilst doing the Above the Underground challenge but I also lead country walks. This week I am doing a 5.5 mile walk from the village of Westerham in Kent. I have done this walk a number of times before but prior to leading a group I always try out the walk a few days before. So last Sunday, in the rain, I set off.

The mud was horrendous

Some sections waterlogged.

Walking uphill from the village it was still squelching underfoot.

There was still fungi to be seen.

Snowdrops were now in full flower below the hedgerows

I loved the misty views along the way

The rain had now stopped.

At last a stony pathway that wasn't covered in mud.

The walk took me longer than usual because of the care needed to prevent slipping over in the mud.

The final section was no better. When I got home I emailed the group advising them about the conditions. I am secretly hoping that no one will turn up today for the walk so I don't have to do it again! I'll let you know my fate tomorrow. 

Jools Holland

 One thing I love about London is that there is always something unexpected happening. Yesterday I was at London Bridge station on my way to meet a friend. I could hear someone playing a piano.

It was Jools Holland. They were making a film or something. It was great listening to him play. I missed my train though!

Christmas present

A present with a difference. Given to me by the youngest grandchildren( obviously chosen by the parents), it is something that I am sure will be read and reread in the future. Of course I have to complete it first.

The journal has about 50 different sections ranging from details of the family tree to things that make me laugh. It is going to take a long time to complete but I'll do my best!