Dorset County Museum

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.

An amble to Bourneville

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

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

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.

Progress on the fifteenth century costume

After a couple of iterations and some advice from fellow dancer Sharon, my headdress is more or less finished.  I’m practising my aloof expression…

I have done all the machine stitching on the chemise and sleeves; just the visible bits left to hand sew.

Next job will be an overdress, but even if that doesn’t get finished, I will have a working costume for the Early Dance Festival.

15th Century costume: sleeves

While she was in Orpington, Lucy helped me to create a pattern for a sleeve for my kirtle.  To be honest, she did most of the work. I just stood getting measured and giving advice.

Now I have cut out sleeves from the kirtle fabric and white cotton for the lining.  In those days, sleeves weren’t sewn in, but attached by pins or ties, so you could wear different ones with the same garment.

The cream fabric is a bit of curtain I bought in a charity shop.  I plan to use it for a giornea (a sort of over-dress), another pair of sleeves and a headdress.

Free to Believe Conference

I’m spending a couple of days at High Leigh conference centre near Hoddeston, Hertfordshire, exploring various aspects of Liberal Theology.
I have been here before, but always by car. The nearest station is Broxbourne, which is a half hour’s walk away. I was expecting a boring walk along the main roads, but by spending a few more minutes, I was able to use the New River Path.
Broxbourne Station and New River
This was a pleasant surprise!
New River aqueduct There was a bit of main road, but then a path beside the park which I remembered from last time.

A grand day out

Gemma and I got the train from Northfield to Redditch, to visit the Needle Museum there. The visitor centre wasn’t open, but there was a little café selling coffee etc, and the museum was open.

There was an excellent textile exhibition, then three small galleries showing all different kinds of needles and how they were made.

We walked past the visitor centre, and across the field to some Abbey ruins which are nearby.  There were many dogs and families – all the labradors we saw had clearly been having fun in the stream!

Altogether a splendid day out!

 

A glorious day’s dancing

Gemma’s Morris side, Blackadder, were dancing out at Upton on Severn today.

The sun shone and there were many other sides…

… as well as a plethora of interesting stalls selling food and clothing.

The day was rounded off with a mass dance – several sides all dancing together to The British Grenadiers.

There was also a barn dance under the bridge, but I was joining in, so I didn’t get any photos!