French Institute Mediatheque

The library as it is now with Art Deco features around the windows

I love the old spiral staircase

London Open House is always a fantastic time of year. This year we were in South Ken - for ice cream at Odono's - and so we called in to the French Institute, a Grade 2 listed building. We were impressed by the Art Deco library - La Mediatheque - which will soon be undergoing an exciting and ambitious refurbishment. They will restore the Art Deco features and create a comfortable reading room. There will be a new children's area and a technology hub too. Look forward to seeing what it will look like.

Might also call in to see a film at the Cinema Lumiere in the meantime. Great atmosphere in the Institute. Glad we dropped by.

Plans for the old Art Deco library

London Irish Centre

I had a great evening in Camden Square recently at The London Irish Centre. I was there for an Art Exhibition Ireland in Our Eyes. There was a great atmosphere with upbeat Irish music (I don't hear it that often in London!) by Jim McKee and chatting to the artists. I knew two of the artists - one, a friend Jamie, and the other, Corin, is a sculptor whose studio is next to us at Flux in Camberwell. He had a very successful show.

I also liked this quote from Seamus Heaney which I read there:

'I can't think of a case where poems changed the world, 

but what they do is change people's understanding 

of what's going on in the world.'

Glamping in the New Forest

I can now say I'm a convert to glamping since my weekend in the New Forest. Waking up to sunshine was a plus of course, but also loved the walk through heather, gorse and forests, spotting the wildlife.  I have a wonderful new branch ring commission from friends in the New Forest - more of that on the blog in the next few months. 

waking up in a yurt in glorious sunshine:)

love the hazy purple of heather

.....finally we spotted some fallow deer. Fantastic sight!

realy like the colour of this horse

Proms 2013

One of my favourite concerts at the proms- Gorecki, Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky. Last night tonight. 

Though the sublime musical experience was almost topped by the caramelised figs and walnuts ice cream I had at Odonno's in South Ken beforehand:) ......will certainly be back.

IJL 2013

Called in to IJL today to collect some stones from Marcia Lanyon which had been ordered specially for me. I saw the Runway plus stunning new work from established and emerging designers: Kickstart and Bright Young Gems, Sarah Ho and Fei Liu being among my favourites.  

Definitely worth as visit, it's on til 4th Sept