Birmingham – Botanical Gardens – Monday

Posted on 26 Sep 2023 by Tina

Rather than just mooching around looking at the plants, we decided to do some sketches at the Botanical Gardens. You can see Gemma’s sketch book if you look carefully!

As usual, Gemma and Lucy were very encouraging to me!

There were lots of different things to draw, and discover, in spite of it being autumn. We were very taken with the pitcher plants. These were just a few. There were so many sizes!!

The Bonsai collection was amazing.

Allegedly, there were real peacocks, but we only saw this one.

There was a handsome aviary which we couldn’t get close to because of avian flu.

It was a lovely day, we were lucky with the weather and came home tired but happy.

Birmingham – Open Studios, Sunday

Posted on 26 Sep 2023 by Tina

After a lazy start, we (Tina, Gemma, Paddy and Lucy) walked and bused around a number of studios and houses in the Open Studios scheme. We looked at a wide variety of art and craft, and had some interesting conversations. Not much opportunity for photos, though, because it seemed inappropriate to photograph artists or their work.

We bought some, though!

This time, the Botanical Gardens

Posted on 22 Jun 2023 by Tina

After more thought provoking discussion last evening and this morning, I felt the need to study what Baden Powell called that other great book, nature, so I went to the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens. I walked there past colleges and cows…

The gardens were lovely. Lots of evidence of scientific enquiry!

A substantial glass house.

And a limestone garden, which was very nostalgic.

My feet were tired, so I planned to return by bus, but it was held up somewhere, so I walked back past the colleges and cows.

An afternoon in Cambridge

Posted on 21 Jun 2023 by Tina

After a morning of theological discussion, we all went our separate ways, and three of us had a mooch around Cambridge.

More theology this evening!

Dorset County Museum

Posted on 18 May 2023 by Tina

While Phil and Rocco went for a walk, I looked round the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester. I was expecting a small museum in a converted hall of some sort, but it was purpose built and comprised several galleries over four floors. The original exhibition hall is now used for events, and is a glorious space. The floor includes two Roman mosaics. Stunning!

There were displays about the geology, archaeology and history of Dorset. I was particularly taken with this sculpture depicting the geological strata – with a strata of plastic rubbish at the highest, most recent level.

A day out

Posted on 8 Apr 2023 by Tina

Today I went to the Royal Academy to see an exhibition. I started off by getting the train to Victoria, then walked to Piccadilly via Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. There were loads of people about.

The exhibition was all about the Hispanic world. It was really varied, and there were some beautiful artifacts.

After a lunch in a nearby café, retraced my steps, then walked home from Orpington station, including popping in for a chat with Christine.

An amble to Bourneville

Posted on 20 Feb 2023 by Tina

After a leisurely breakfast on Sunday, we strolled along the towpath to Bourneville.

The café was very busy, but we had a lovely lunch before heading back towards the station.

Gemma hadn’t visited the small garden centre in Bourneville, so we detoured to have a look. The plants were all in excellent condition, so we spent some money…

Then back on the train to Northfield and a walk to Gemma’s through the park.

It was still quite early, so Gemma got her stash of painting things out and with her encouragement I managed to produce a piece of artwork.

We were both reminded of happy hours spent at the kitchen table when she and Lucy were children.

We’ve done a huge amount this weekend. I’m amazed I’m not exhausted!

Midlands Art Centre and the market

Posted on 20 Feb 2023 by Tina

On Saturday we had tickets for the Grayson Perry’s Art Club exhibition at the Midlands Art Centre, so we got on the bus and off we went.

We both found the exhibition enjoyable and thought provoking.

We particularly liked the knitted Sandringham!

After lunch at the excellent café, we had a walk around Cannon Hall Park, which is beautiful, and full of people enjoying it.

We had some spare time and energy, so back on the bus to the city centre for a mooch around the rag market. I’m sure it has expanded since I lived in Birmingham!

The Chiltern Line to Birmingham

Posted on 17 Feb 2023 by Tina

I had a very exciting day today – starting off by train to Charing Cross, then via Trafalgar Square and the fourth plinth to the Bakerloo line.

To Marylebone in good time to catch the scenic train to Birmingham.

I was pleased to go to Snow Hill, since it was closed during the time I lived here.

I had a mooch around the campus at Aston , which is unrecognisable from the 1970s.

Then a pause for a cuppa at Moor Street, another interesting station, before heading to New Street and the final train to Gemma’s.