We had a visitor down here this week who I couldn’t help but be inspired by. It was one of a group of cyclists who have been raising money for charity by riding from Beijing to London. Immensely impressive you may say, but these guys were all 60 years old and over! Unbelievable effort gentlemen and I take my hat off to you all…
Beijing to London Bike Ride
Off he goes again!
Here’s the video as promised…
What on earth was that about…
Mike & Terry in the Tea Garden
Tea for Two!
Serena capturing the action
Team GB water clearance squad
I will be posting a video of a little of the action from yesterday very soon.
For the first time ever, the garden starting filling up like a bath tub as the torrential rain came down yesterday. After 4 huge thunder storms and rain like I haven’t seen for many years in this country, we looked like we were going to be in big trouble. Everything has to be moved up about 3 feet in the galleries and whatever flood defences we have are put up… then it’s fingers crossed and see what happens. Luckily it made it only to about 6 inches below the door before the rains stopped and we all made huge efforts to get the levels back down by shovelling water down the overworked drains. Disaster averted and our thoughts go out to everyone who wasn’t so lucky yesterday.
Whatever next in this amazing summer season?!…
As part of my anti squirrel regime, I bring in the bird feeders each night… a little sad I know, but it’s become personal now! So, I put them just inside the gallery door ready to put out the next day. When I put our gallery signs out this morning, I left the door open and a young robin decided to fly in for a bit of breakfast. Unfortunately, when I returned, he panicked and flew in the gallery rather than out…
An interested customer!
Not a great photo I know, but I was trying not to scare him too much. This, however, didn’t work either as he flew round showing how scared he was all over our counter tops! Anyway, I finally got him out safely and who do I find filling his fuzzy face on the bird table?…. yes, that bl**dy squirrel!
Now… I’m sorry, but I am going to have a bit of a whinge!
I, like many other Apple Mac disciples, was eagerly awaiting the launch of the new OS X Mountain Lion. However, despite having only a four year old MacBook and a four year old Mac Pro Desktop (combined cost over £3000), I am only able to install Mountain Lion on to the MacBook and even that is only partially supported. What on earth do Apple think they are doing releasing a system that makes any Mac computer older than 2 or 3 years completely unsupported by their latest operating system?
Personally I feel that you should look after your regular customers, as they are the ones who put you in the position you are in today, but Apple seem to be hell bent on following the latest Social Media sites and trends, rather than concentrating on their VERY loyal regulars.
I would never in a million years, try and tell Apple how to run their business, as they do rather well at that themselves, but I would just point out that many of their followers have been left angry and potentially out of pocket over this latest update. How hard would it have been to make this system available for 32 bit as well as 64 bit?
Mountain Lion
That’s it… rant over!
Finally the river level is down sufficiently for me to get back out in the canoe in the mornings before work. Absolutely beautiful down there this morning…
Shady spot on the River
Through the arch
Much like my battle with the squirrel in the garden here, I have an ongoing confrontation with the kingfishers on the Avon. Impossible to paddle and photograph at the same time. As a result this is as close as I got this morning…
Another one gets away
Just about made it to the Weir at Avoncliff and it was worth it. Very calm out there and no workmen on the Old Mill site when I got there…
Ripples over the Weir
The last one I managed to take whilst propped against an uprooted tree that had got caught on the top of the weir. Just as well, as I could have ended up heading down towards Bath! I wonder how much they’re going to be charging for these once they’ve been finished?! Any suggestions as to what they’re going to do about the big, rusty corrugated iron block on the side?…
Balancing on the weir
Normally, when we get a Monday (our day off) that has nice weather, we usually come into the gallery…. not yesterday though…. weather was great and Serena had a birthday!
The morning was spent at the beautiful Stourhead Gardens, a National Trust house and gardens down near Mere off the A303. Absolutely stunning place…
Stourhead Gardens
(guess who used his sweep app again!) It really doesn’t do this lovely place justice I’m afraid, but we would definitely recommend it anyone.
The afternoon was over to Bath for a boat trip on the Avon. Made a change from canoeing up it myself! Very interesting commentary and plenty to see.
Bit of a touristy day really, but Serena did manage to get lots of photos, so watch this space for some good pictures!
Guess who’s just downloaded another free app for his phone?!
Not bad actually… it’s a panoramic stitching one. Not as good as the sweep cameras, but pretty good for a phone. Despite the big black cloud in the sky, the weather is beautiful today and we’re all hoping this is the beginning of the summer season!
Panorama of the Tithebarn Workshops
Just thought we would share these images of a woodpecker that visited our cheery trees outside the gallery the other day. He bashed away for a good couple of minutes as he wasn’t going to be bothered by any customers!! Sorry the quality of image isn’t up to our usual standard, but it was me that took them and not Serena as she was working at the home studio…
Great Spotted Woodpecker on our Cherry Tree
Well, we were very worried by the title of the event we took part in this Sunday… with the weather as it’s been recently, it appeared to be tempting fate. However, having been incredibly brave / niece and not taking any gazebo or waterproofing, we were blessed with the first / only day of summer this year!
Another great event, as usual. It is a collection of local artists, potters, sculptors, photographers and other creative people, who set out their stalls in a car boot style and sell their wares. Most people bring along an example of their current work and then a collection of seconds and older back catalogue work to sell at bargain prices. The atmosphere is always really great and everyone seems to do well (including the punters!).
I’ve put a few photos of our layout below, including one featuring Sally who was on the stall next to me. She makes beautiful porcelain hares, chickens, cows and the like… a very talented and lovely lady.
If you would like any further information about how to get a stall at the next art boot sale, or if you’d just like to visit, drop us a line. They do a Winter one around Christmas time and the Summer one.
First customer of the Day!
Midge dealing with the pigeon problem!
Can I help you?!…
SerenArts Gallery 