Weekly updates on what happend in Richard Art life in the last 7 days
HAPPY SPRING DAY
Monday was a bank holiday in England, so we decided to head out to Melton Mowbray where the original Pork Pie was first made. Paul, Joanne's brother-in-law, decided to take the back roads for a nice drive.
Well, the town was nice, and the Pork Pie was even nicer. I rated it an 8 out of 10 and 3rd best on my list so far after Taylor's Pork Pie in Darlington and Greens in Pangbourne.
On the back roads from Leicester to Melton Mowbray
Must be good if there are official signs up.
Got the photo.
More Pork Pies begging me to take them home.
Now that is an honour.
3 Pork Pies and one Scotch Egg please.
A different way to eat a Pork Pie and Scotch Egg but as Uncle Stuart says "Hey ho"
There was a rally of about 20+ of these old cars dressed up like this.
Only the dutch!
Tuesday was similar in that we decided to walk to the Cow and Plough, a nice little pub and farm stall about 30 minutes’ walk form Joanne’s sisters’ house. Strange enough we did not use the rental once while we were in Leicester.
Exploring the town.
I can confirm the beer is good.
30 minute walk back home to Oadby.
Not often you get hold of this stuff. However, for some reason, it does not taste the same as it use to.
Joanne and I did do a lot of work while in Leicester strangely enough. Our laptops were permanently open catching up with month end in South Africa.
Wednesday, we said our goodbyes to the family in Leicester and head off to Bath. We booked a beautiful little hotel just outside of bath for some alone time.
After a long "AVOID MOTORWAYS" drive through the English country lanes we found a decent town and Coffee.
If there is a cheese shop, then Joanne is there.
Joanne can confirm that this cheese is delicious. I can confirm that it is Britain's most stinkiest cheese.
Quick stop at Daylesford Organic farm as per my Uncle Ken's suggestion.
Yeah I found a Hawkstone beer.
With our stash of cheese and bread from Marshal on the River and Daylefsord, we decided to picnic at Bibury. Well, the Sat Nav took us to what we thought was Bibury, but we could not find a plac7e to stop and picnic. So, we decided to pull into a farmer’s field and picnic in the car. Cheese, bread, and tomatoes was on the menu. We felt like naughty kids squatting on a farmer’s land waiting to be chased off. Nonetheless no farmers came, and we finished and headed off to Bath. Well, just around the corner we discovered the actual picnic spot but decided that ours spot was better as Bibury had hundreds of foreign tourist there.
Our little paradise for 24hrs.
View from our room window.
Our hotel from up the hill.
Beautiful little pub in a beautiful village about 30 min walk from the hotel.
Spotted on our walk back down the hill to our hotel.
Thursday, we woke up and headed to see my Uncle Ken and Aunt Julia in the centre of Bath.
Nice cozy place called The Ivy. Used to be an old bank, my Uncle Ken was telling us.
It was really nice to see them. Ken treated us to a nice breakfast at the Ivy and then a tour of Bath which Joanne thoroughly enjoyed. My uncle Ken was involved in the Management of Bath back in the day.
The famous Ralph Allen house in Bath. He was responsible for all the current feel and look of Bath Architecture.
The Roman Bath were built 1563 years ago and here we were walking on the same ground.
You cannot swim in the bath today, but I remember when I was a kid taking a dip.
Spending quality time with the love of my life in special places around the world.
After the tour we head back to Pangbourne. We arrived late afternoon. Jane and Stuart fancied Indian at the local in Theal called Taste of Tandoori, where Frank served us the most delicious Indian food Joanne and I have tasted. There was Lamb Curry, Baked Rice
Try it. It really is good. 10/10 from us all.
The famous Frank. Jane, Joanne, myself and Stuart.
Friday was a catch-up day with a few errands in the town and a laptop or two open wide typing away. I was prepping for the 2 shows this week. If you are in the UK pop in.
Spot the Scott in Stuart and Jane's house. Currency as you know it.
Such fond memories of painting this series.
When last did you post a letter?
Getting the pic outside Greens Butcher.
Lazy English Summers. Note book ready.
Braai time. English style.
Sabrina Love posted a really nice post about a recent Auction we hosted for them to help raise funds for their cause. It was the highlight of my week. It really make me feel alive when i can help others help others. There is no better feeling.
Here is the details of the two shows in London this week:
Tuesday 3rd September, 10am to 5pm at Auto Vivendi Club House, 39 Greville Rd, London NW6 5JJ.
The Painting I did for the owner of Wentworth back in the day.
Friday night we had our second braai since we have been here in the UK. Uncle Stuart got out the burgers, chicken, and sausage, while Jane made us some delicious garden vegetables and local Sainsburys potatoes.
Saturday, we got up nice and late and decided to go into Oxford.
Exploring Oxford. This is one of the many schools that are so impressive.
The gardens to the school. Very impressive.
Down a side street and into a street market to eat the best Chinese. I said to Joanne that if the place was packed with Chinese people, then you know it is good.
We had to keep it simple as there was fish and chips waiting at home.
Popped in to this gallery Clarendon, under the umbrella of Whitewall, and met the curator Aloise. She was from Cape Town. It was nice to chat and catch up with the local Oxford art scene.
Did some research on this old building: Laird Hatters. This building, which originally comprised three separate shops, probably dates from the fifteenth century and was altered in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries.
A quick pint of beer at The Trout in Oxford. No local beer here.
Then uncle Stuarts famous Fish and Chips.
The famous Jane and Stuart.
Nom Nom. Best Fish and chips ever.
When last did you see one of these?
Crinkle cut chips. The last time I had these was 30 odd years ago.
And Sunday I worked on the two shows on Tuesday and Wednesday. Joanne and I went for a long walk.
The proof is in the pudding. :)
Until next Sunday.
r i c h a r d
Monday was very interesting being back home and getting back into a routine. It took me a little while after being away for three weeks. It was basically ticking off boxes. That was the only way I could get going....
I think I will do this week’s blog in pictures, as Joanne and I are 31 000 feet above Africa somewhere and it’s Sunday morning 8am South African time and I haven’t started the blog yet. It’s 3 hours to go...
HAPPY SPRING DAY Monday was a bank holiday in England, so we decided to head out to Melton Mowbray where the original Pork Pie was first made. Paul, Joanne's brother-in-law, decided to take the back roads for a nice drive....
Leave a comment