Moving to a new house involves getting rid of the old. All those things that you do not wish to carry with you into your new life. The first thing I'm going to get rid of will be all of Peter's extensive collection of Jack the ripper books, these have to go. There is no way that I'm taking that aggro to our new home. (for the exception of Stephen Powell's book) all the rest will be donated to Oxfam.
Ideally, I would like to put them in a bonfire on Guy's Day. Specially the Skinner, Lindler and Morris Hoax Diary. I think is bad luck to take whatever has caused you nothing but unpleasantness and getting rid of this collection will be for me a way to exorcise the demons out of my brand new life. The old clothes have now been neatly packed and are ready to go, then the rest is looking through drawers and ruthlessly throwing away whatever is no longer useful, taking as little as possible to our new home.
Work is advancing there and Peter and I have already chosen the new kitchen and bathroom and its so exciting to be finally able to see this project coming along after all the endless planning permissions from the council that involves having to go through in a listed and historical home as this one. Finally, the archeological excavations are also done and the house is shaping up nicely so by the spring we will be able to move to the prettiest market town I've ever seen. I can hardly wait.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Monday, 25 October 2010
Hygeia ( Health )
Hygeia is the daughter of the first doctor Aesculapius, considered the father of Medicine. She appears with a snake, the symbol of healing, still part of the emblem of the doctor today. She is also an aspect of the goddess Athena and therefore shares her ability to speak to animals and raise the heroic dead.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Reflections on Reading
There are books so alive that you are always afraid that while you weren't reading the book has changed, has shifted like a river, while you went on living, it went on living too, and like a river moved on and moved away. No one has stepped twice into the same river. But did anyone step twice into the same book ? Marina Tsvetaeva.
Our life is a pilgrims progress - that we are strangers in the earth, our life is a long walk or journey from earth to heaven. Vincent Van Gogh
Reading is one of the most rewarding endeavour, with a book our mind can travel to places you have never been to, or feel sentiments that you have never experienced before. At around October I reflect on the books that have given me joy during the year.
Our life is a pilgrims progress - that we are strangers in the earth, our life is a long walk or journey from earth to heaven. Vincent Van Gogh
Reading is one of the most rewarding endeavour, with a book our mind can travel to places you have never been to, or feel sentiments that you have never experienced before. At around October I reflect on the books that have given me joy during the year.
Friday, 24 September 2010
MYTHS Pomona and the nature god.
There is a wonderful thought-provoking quality about myths. Something that rings true interwoven in a fairy tale which is timeless. A sort of mixture between a dream and reality.
This picture is about Pomona and Vertumnus a nature god who could assume any shape, and here he is wooing the nymph Pomona. At the beginning he tried to befriend her by disguising himself as an old woman but when this failed, he revealed his true identity as a youthful god; here he is, at the moment when he has just removed his mask.
I liked the idea of painting this myth because I love the story, plus I wanted to paint figures in a landscape and this seemed to be the perfect setting to do both. On the right Cupid sits on the ground next to her and his arrows lie on the ground.
This picture is about Pomona and Vertumnus a nature god who could assume any shape, and here he is wooing the nymph Pomona. At the beginning he tried to befriend her by disguising himself as an old woman but when this failed, he revealed his true identity as a youthful god; here he is, at the moment when he has just removed his mask.
I liked the idea of painting this myth because I love the story, plus I wanted to paint figures in a landscape and this seemed to be the perfect setting to do both. On the right Cupid sits on the ground next to her and his arrows lie on the ground.
Friday, 10 September 2010
Lincoln
Sometimes you come across an enchanting and unexpected experience and one of those moments was when we visited Lincoln a few weeks back. What a pleasant surprise we had, whilst walking down through the oldest part of the town, with its old fashioned shop-windows just past a corner there it was, this enormous and awesome cathedral bathed in golden light that I never knew was there. For beautiful buildings you think of Oxford and Cambridge but this town rivals any of them and to me, it seems like a well kept secret as the atmosphere is not so crowded as the other two cities are. The cathedral is massive and magical, almost unreal during the night with its finely-kept intricate wooden carvings in the entrance and although we couldn't see it from the inside, it was impressive enough from the outside. Some day I hope to visit Lincoln and its castle with more time to explore inside them. The Cathedral and the castle were built by William the Conqueror. Wonderful buildings that were made to last through the centuries. A real treat.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Friday, 27 August 2010
Our Friend Frank Sobiecki Motorcycle Diary
With kind permission by our friend and best neighbour ever I wanted to share this fascinating trip that he wrote.
A 1,000 motorcycle run through California, Nevada and Arizona By Frank Sobiecki
Well, I did it. A 1,000 mile motorcycle butt run across the Southwest.
When I started out the weather was fine, however when I reached the desert areas the wind began to pick up. Riding my motorcycle with a luggage bag behind me, made me somewhat top-heavy. I basically had to lean into the wind as I was riding. The 30 mph winds were manageable, however the unexpected 50 mile an hour gusts were a little unnerving. My first stop was for lunch in a small mining town called Randsburg, California. Not much there, but I was able to get the local history from a ninety-eight-year-old bartender. After lunch I headed out to Olancha, California, which is located just west of the entry road into Death Valley. Stayed at the Rustic Hotel (aptly named as this is the worst hotel I've ever stayed in, in my entire life).
The next morning was cool and very calm. I headed east on Highway 190. I was practically the only person on the road that morning and it was just the perfect day to be riding a motorcycle across the desert. Climbing to about 5000 feet in elevation I came to a ridge line overlooking a vast desert valley. At first I thought I was looking into Death Valley. Later I realized I was looking into the Panamint Valley. I stopped for coffee at the hotel/restaurant near the bottom of the Panamint Valley. I was very excited making it this far and very much enjoyed my coffee while looking at the austere and beautiful surroundings. I received many stares and glances as the locals and tourists realized I was all alone riding through the desert. Riding out across the Panamint Valley and crossing over the easterly rim and seeing my first glimpse of Death Valley gave me any natural high that I have never felt before. Being able to see 50 miles to the north, 50 miles to the south and 50 miles to the east with nothing obstructing my view, was pretty amazing. The glimmer of the white salt flats was expected but nonetheless an awesome site. With a gentle wind at my back, I literally felt like I was floating down the highway into the valley of death. It was an undescribable feeling. I visited Stovepipe, Furnace Creek, Devils Golf Course, Badwater and rode the Artist Drive on my way out.
The rest of my trip through Pahrump, Nevada, Las Vegas, Kingman Arizona, Laughlin Nevada, Joshua Tree National Park ( via old Route 66 ) was also a memorable experience. Just thought you'd like to know how my Death Valley experience went.
A 1,000 motorcycle run through California, Nevada and Arizona By Frank Sobiecki
Well, I did it. A 1,000 mile motorcycle butt run across the Southwest.
When I started out the weather was fine, however when I reached the desert areas the wind began to pick up. Riding my motorcycle with a luggage bag behind me, made me somewhat top-heavy. I basically had to lean into the wind as I was riding. The 30 mph winds were manageable, however the unexpected 50 mile an hour gusts were a little unnerving. My first stop was for lunch in a small mining town called Randsburg, California. Not much there, but I was able to get the local history from a ninety-eight-year-old bartender. After lunch I headed out to Olancha, California, which is located just west of the entry road into Death Valley. Stayed at the Rustic Hotel (aptly named as this is the worst hotel I've ever stayed in, in my entire life).
The next morning was cool and very calm. I headed east on Highway 190. I was practically the only person on the road that morning and it was just the perfect day to be riding a motorcycle across the desert. Climbing to about 5000 feet in elevation I came to a ridge line overlooking a vast desert valley. At first I thought I was looking into Death Valley. Later I realized I was looking into the Panamint Valley. I stopped for coffee at the hotel/restaurant near the bottom of the Panamint Valley. I was very excited making it this far and very much enjoyed my coffee while looking at the austere and beautiful surroundings. I received many stares and glances as the locals and tourists realized I was all alone riding through the desert. Riding out across the Panamint Valley and crossing over the easterly rim and seeing my first glimpse of Death Valley gave me any natural high that I have never felt before. Being able to see 50 miles to the north, 50 miles to the south and 50 miles to the east with nothing obstructing my view, was pretty amazing. The glimmer of the white salt flats was expected but nonetheless an awesome site. With a gentle wind at my back, I literally felt like I was floating down the highway into the valley of death. It was an undescribable feeling. I visited Stovepipe, Furnace Creek, Devils Golf Course, Badwater and rode the Artist Drive on my way out.
The rest of my trip through Pahrump, Nevada, Las Vegas, Kingman Arizona, Laughlin Nevada, Joshua Tree National Park ( via old Route 66 ) was also a memorable experience. Just thought you'd like to know how my Death Valley experience went.
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