It's been a while. I was in the homeland and it was spring like perfection. Not as hot as the same weekend I was there three years ago but beautiful just the same. My sister made an act of extreme love and picked me up from Heathrow on a Friday afternoon. I'm sure spending Friday evening inching along the M3 was not her idea of a good time but she did it just the same.
It was bliss to be in her sparkly clean, comfy house. They have the most beautiful art collection and my brother in law, who's an art history nerd, had a book to show me on every print or etching they owned. I particularly admired his Frank Brangwyn's and his own work but we realised it was totally unrealistic to think I could transport it any of my bil's prints home without damage.
On the Saturday we went to Hilliers. I'd never been before but it was startlingly beautiful planting. Since many of the species are from the Himalayas there is a monument to the people of Nepal. Touchingly, there was a reunion of Nepalese families that day, more moving for the terrible plight many of their families have faced in the recent earthquakes. Even more delightful is that this is still a garden owned by Hants County Council. Let's hope it stays that way and isn't sold off for a housing development.
In the afternoon we walked from Hillhead to Lea and admired the boats. My brother in law has joined the 21st century and had an app which let him spot the names of the ships, their tonnage and destination.
On Sunday, I went to London on the train and headed to ganching. Since time was tight, we immediately hot footed it to Eltham Palace. Another first for me but with very acceptable apple and ginger cake. The house was interesting but I found it more of a curiosity than a thing of beauty. The gardens were good, too. We passed the evening in the company of the fellow denizens of the old people's commune both of whom seemed jaded from an over indulgence in something the night before. Good food at the best Turkish in anywhere.
After a route march around the neighbourhood on Sunday morning I took a cab to Heathrow and Madrid. More on that temple of pigginess later.
Things on my radar
Hipster business name generator - looking to waste some time between meetings?
Spotify running app - I'm LOVING spotify right now and listening to way more music so this caught my eye as something that might choose the right tracks to keep me motivated. I'm interested in how it detects pace and choses something appropriate
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