Finding my way...in England: February 2011

28 February 2011

From my Kitchen Window

Here I sit, coffee in hand and staring out my kitchen window.

I still can't believe that it is 27 February and I am looking at Spring.

There is no denying that it out there.

It reminds me how the English love their gardens.

I marvel at the enthusiasm and beauty of their creations.

One year on and I have to admit I am getting a wee bit excited too.

I have to remind myself to curb my enthusiasm as our

humble abode is an expat corporate rental which

I affectionately call 'The Rental' (original, I know).

I am resigned to pottering and puttering

until we can set our roots down once again.

Until then, I will embrace and enjoy the English seasons.

For on this day, at this time, it is home :)

How about you?

What can you see from your kitchen window?

images~me

25 February 2011

A Royal Charmer

Kate Middleton's first Royal engagement.

By all account, a successful one.

She is positively glowing!

Brings back memories of an other

Royal Charmer.

Images Daily Mail

21 February 2011

From Waterloo to St. Paul's

The sun has it's charm around London but there is something

about those grey skies that I find enchanting...almost Dickensesque.

On this misty morning, I made my way from Waterloo to St. Paul's.

I like to gather my thoughts after a long walk and this seemed

like the perfect spot. From my chair I had the best vantage point.

St. Paul's Cathedral is so enormous that it is nearly

impossible to capture it in it's entirety.

To me, the story is in the details.

I did not realise at this point in time that we were about to embark

to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral. When we did, it made for an

interesting study as I looked up and then down.

I often find that far reaching views in a large cityscape

can be monotonous. I like to look for the interesting features.

The sun was peaking thru the clouds here...just barely.

For someone who does not like heights, I found this overwhelming

yet was mesmerised by the detail...windows, people,

lines, lines, lines, everywhere you looked.

It was so nice to come back down and rest my eyes

on something peaceful.

Literally.....

images~me

Winston Churchill and his Clementine

I can not think of a better way to end a relaxing day at home. It was a great week, a long week. I covered a lot of territory around London and I have to admit that this Hip Hop Happening Mama is plum tuckered out! My trusty pedometer was by my side, clocking up nearly 15km around the city. My readers at B-Well take note!

I wasn't sure what I would write about today. I have so many thoughts floating around that it seemed impossible to decide on one. It then became clear when I saw an old photograph of Vanessa Redgrave at Chris Beetles Gallery yesterday. I wrote about her here.

As chance would have it, we picked a family movie tonight and it was The Gathering Storm. Vanessa Redgrave plays the brilliant Clementine and my next post was determined. I could not wait to come and tell those of you who enjoy English classics to see this film as it is wonderful!

The Gathering Storm was released in 2002. It is a love story of sorts between Winston Churchill and his Clementine, the love of his life. The period in time is just leading up to WWII with the majority of their time spent in their beautiful country home, Chartwell, in Kent. You can watch the Trailer here.

via Wikimedia

Those of you who enjoy English classics will recognise this all star cast. Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Ronnie Barker, Tom Wilkinson, Linus Roache and Celia Imre to name a few.

A fantastic performance by all and especially Albert Finney as Winston Churchill.

Winston and Clementine Churchill at Chartwell, Kent

If you have not been to Chartwell, I encourage you to see it someday.

I loved it. Here a few images taken during our visit...

See the movie, visit Chartwell or both, I promise

you will not be disappointed!

You can read my post,

Admiring: Vanessa Redgrave

here.

Images:

Top- Wikimedia

Second- Life

Video- You Tube

All others ~ me

with exception of last,

see post for details.

17 February 2011

A wedding, a gift and the man draw

I think I have the fever...the royal fever. I have never been one for commemorative items

but I have been known to get swept away in museum and gallery shops. I stopped in at

Kensington Palace yesterday and just had a little 'squiz' in the shop. The saleswoman

and I became great mates...talking expat assignments and travels to Papua New Guinea.

She is good at her job!

In addition to several other items, I bought two of the items below.

She said one of them was the last one in the shop. 'It was so popular!'

How could I not? Can you guess which one?

How about you, do you have any collectibles

tucked away in your home?

Items available at Historic Royal Palaces

Do you think Prince William will have a man draw

or will Kate? I am the one with the draw in our house.

A spot of English humour

which has had me laughing for days :)

You Tube

14 February 2011

Get Up and Go

Some days you just have to get up and go.

When Mr. H mentioned that he wanted to see the butterfly

exhibit at Wisley Gardens on Saturday I have to admit

I did not run to the door.

I thought traffic, crowds, people...on a Saturday? No way.

But then again, the sun was shining, the birds were singing,

we had a few hours to ourselves and off we went.

I am so glad we did.

Exotic butterflies and tropical plants were waiting for us

in the exhibit Butterflies in a Glass House.

I can tell you now, it was the perfect outing.

I admit trying to photograph butterflies with a camera lens

that wanted to go into permanent fog mode was a bit tricky

but I managed a few none the less.

From there we strolled thru the gardens...

Best of all we managed lunch in nearby Ripley where

more butterflies were waiting :)

If you are looking for a fun day out and a casual lunch,

try Wisley Gardens and lunch at the Talbot Inn.

Just get up and go:)

images~me

12 February 2011

Room 33 @ The National Gallery

Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun

1755-1842

Self Portrait in a Straw Hat (after 1782)

I spent a day in London this week and had an hour to spare before taking

the train home. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun was shining,

people were soaking it up everywhere you went.

Photos of my day in London can be found here.

With an hour to spare I decided to visit a few old friends at The National Gallery.

I do this often...I know where to go, where to sit and what I want to enjoy.

These little experiences make up the fabric of my life.

On this occasion, I made a new friend. I was so struck by this painting that

I have not been able to stop thinking about it since.

It is a self portrait painted by a French artist, Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun.

On your next visit to The National Gallery, I encourage you to seek it out...it is stunning.

You will find it in Room 33, France 1700-1800.

What of Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun?

I had to read the label next to the painting several times...a self portrait?

A woman in the 1700's? I am not sure why I was so surprised. I did

not study Art History and perhaps there are many but I just could not recall another

of this era. I am sure a reader or two will enlighten me. I would love to know more.

What I did discover..

Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun was a remarkable woman.

She painted many prominent figures in her time including her friend Marie Antoinette.

A royalist, she lived in France until the revolution and fled to Russia
where she continued to paint. She was admired by many and lived a celebrated life.
Elisabeth's life was filled with accomplishments, scandal and intrigue.
She was a traveller, a woman of ambition and a very accomplished painter
as shown in her work here.

All painted by Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun