Whew...just helped to hang my part of the exhibition at The Gallery in Southfield, Wimbledon. it is part of the Open House weekend that is happening in Southfields Wandsworth and Merton this weekend. It is a shame it is all happening at the same time but "That's Life" l suppose. Anyway, our Private View is on this Friday (30th September) between 5.30 and 8.30. The show is open through the week 11am - 5pm each day, manned by the artists on Saturday and Sunday..... There are quite a few other artists showing with me in the gallery so Friday should be a good night. Below is one of my Silk paintings being shown, it is titled "Spirit People" and is influenced by my 3 years living and working in Papua New Guinea. My other 4 pieces exhibited are really directed at children such as "Noah's Ark" and "Happy Fish".

Visiting Kent and Marle Place.

A little while ago we went to Kent to visit Tony's Godmother, Elizabeth, who is in a Care Home in Paddock Wood. I have to admit this first image made me giggle! Later on l realised this was the back entrance but still thought it was funny! A Department store?... Please!

 You know you are in Kent when you start to see Oast houses everywhere. These were used originally as kilns for drying and storing the hops that flavour beers; most have now been converted into homes. I have always wanted to live in one but they are normally out of our price range.

 A beautiful, clean and fast stream runs through the town. So beautifully green and there were small fishes and some water boatmen in there too.

 The magical county that is Kent!

 This vehicle made me giggle, it looks as if it is being driven from the back... if you see what l mean. Think it was from France.

 As we were going home, we saw a notice for a Sculpture park and gardens at a Country House...so off we went to see it. It was SO worth it. It was an amazing exhibition. The House is called Marle Place and, as well as an amazing garden, they have a coffee shop and a swimming pool you can sit around and just chill. The exhibition is only on till end of this month unfortunately, l would have liked to have gone back. My camera battery ran out half way round..bummer! here follows a few of the amazing sculptures that were scattered throughout the garden. I could have stayed there all day!

 I know this is not one of the exhibitions but l had to giggle....a plant pot in a cage!

 This image shows part of the actual house...gorgeous.

 this is the Artist's studio which seems to be shared by 3 artists... l was very jealous.

 Just LOVE these seed heads... nature's own art.

 Just love these seed heads which are Artichokes.

 Sunflowers l think are beautiful at all their stages of life and death.

 Nature's own Art.

 Eerie..................

Just an amazing experience.

Trip to see David.

Off to see our good friend David and the traffic decided not to be kind to us... eventually it cleared and the rest of the journey up towards Birmingham was great.

 Don't see this very often...wonder who was in the car?

 Oh! weather does not look good and, in fact, the weather hit us an hour or so later. Such rain, was hard to see the motorway.

Stopped at a Service Station and had a coffee and a sandwich to keep us going. This is a very restful place to sit for a while and recover from the Motorway traffic and it's drivers..

 This is an image of a bird of prey that suddenly seemed to fall out of a tree with prey in it's mouth. I didn't see this but Tony did. It then seemed to take flight straight up from the verge and l just caught it in the corner of my eye. This is the shot l got and the next 2 images. Not brilliant but l am glad l caught them.

 Every time l go past this memorial, which always has fresh flowers, l mean to stop and see who it is for. Every time the traffic gets in the way and l am unable to stop. Maybe next time.

 Just opposite David's house, there is a garden with the most amazing crop of huge sunflowers!

David's house was built around the 14th century and in time it has been a pub and we think it has been used in a cottage industry nail manufactory among other things. All beams and wonderful nooks and crannies. With this house he also has 7 acres of land.  This wonderful rusty piece of machine ( just think what l could eco-dye with this rusty piece of machinery!!) is one of many gorgeous old things in his "garden".

 There are many windows like this all over the building.

 Magical steps to the area above the garage!

 We had the keys and so we attempted to open the door. Bark, Bark, Bark came from inside and then....

This popped out! Some guard dog! hello Bonnie.

These following images are some of David's land. He built up this  amazing garden from scratch ...it really is beautiful.

The river at the bottom of the garden. 

 Some of the wonderful coloured stones which have been uncovered in David's garden.

 We tried to take Bonnie for a walk... she got excited but then decided, we presume as David was not back, she had to stay and guard the house... Bless! I think it is rather sweet that she jumps up on to the table for you to stroke her! See, she thinks we old people need to be taken care of!!! Smart, these dogs.

 This is one of two cats David and Sue have...Killwillie...a real character!

Off we go to walk around the Estate with 2 cats and a dog in tow. I swear the cats think they are dogs! These are the buildings were David keeps his machinery, in other words... Big Boys' toys!

 I remember when this pond had just been dug... it now looks beautiful and really well established

 The area in which David starts off all his amall trees and plants.

I love Honesty plants but don't see them very often these days. In the garden there are lots of them, l collected a few to use later in my Art work.

Just love this image.

Now what do you think this is........David has just built these stables for Llama's.

 And here they are..........two stables.

 This is Cleo the other cat..what amazing eyes she has, so green.

 This is to be a flat above the stables....l am so jealous because it would make a wonderful studio and that view...wow!

 The animals guarding our time in the flat...very sweet.

 

Autumn has started..shame.

When we came back from our walk, Bonnie was covered in burrs and other bits of greenery. So clean up time..which she didn't like..poor bonnie!

Getting a cuddle for being so good.

 Saw this just as l was leaving and thought...how pretty.

On the drive home l saw my studio being delivered..yeh some hope! Ha! I can dream you know!

Don't see this very often..a barge in a petrol station on the Motorway.

 Ah..now l know l am nearly home.