Saturday 29 July 2017

A Snapshot of My Week

Okay, I know if I start by saying it's been a busy week you are all going to groan and say "what's new?" But boy, even by my standards it has been pretty full on. It has started and ended with birthday presents... I am loving this birthday which just seems to go on and on! My lovely stepson and daughter-in-law, James and Elizabeth, gave me theatre tickets for an outdoor production of "Too True to be Good" by George Bernard Shaw,  performed at Shaw's Corner, home of the man himself for 44 years.


As this was a first for me, it was also something to be added to my sixty by sixty list... I have threatened that once I reach sixty on my list I shall start a 100 x 100! The play itself, which I was not at all familiar with before the evening, was a little strange,reflecting Shaw's strong political views but it was well acted and entertaining, with the house as a backdrop and the terrace as the stage. 


We brought along a picnic of good bread, cheese, olives and hummous plus a bottle of prosecco and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Even the rain didn't come on until we were on our way home.


By Saturday morning the rain had cleared and we set out for yet another sixty x sixty adventure recommended by Paula a regular reader of my blog. We booked a tower tour of Peterborough Cathedral.


I confess, despite not being all that far from Peterborough I had never visited the Cathedral before this week... and it is magnificent.


The tour involved climbing 200 steps up via narrow spiral staircases, allowing access to parts of the cathedral not usually open to the public.We had close up views of  the stunning stained glass and amazing architecture.


It was wonderful to have such views of the cathedral and we were in awe of the skills that were involved in the building of such an colossal building.


And the views from the roof, the highest point in the city, were spectacular.


We were also fortunate to see a fabulous exhibition of quilts, Threads Through Revelation, that is touring British cathedrals, made by artist Jacqui Parkinson in response to the Book of Revelations.


Yet again we were lucky with the weather as the rain only set in for the day on or way home. On Sunday it was time to celebrate an engagement. An enjoyable afternoon, with lots of good food, meeting lots of lovely, interesting young people. And the rain held off once again!


After a day baking on Monday I then headed out to London on Tuesday with friends Jude and Isobel, to visit the Grayson Perry exhibition at the Serpentine Galleries.


As always with Grayson Perry, it didn't fail to entertain, the man is such fabulous astute observer of life today, serious observations executed with a large dose of tongue in cheek. I'm sure his work will provide a wonderful social history in years to come.


I really liked this little shrine with models of himself and his wife, but best of all I loved the glimpse into his sketchbooks. What a treat!


. There then followed a two day overnight trip to Hastings with my Mum for a family funeral, an evening out working, and then James and Elizabeth staying for a couple of nights before they head off for a month in Panama. Mostly it has been a good week and even the funeral was a chance to catch up with family members not seen for a while but I am tired! I have finished the week with a fabulous day out painting acrylic abstracts, another birthday present, this time from my Mum, but I think that can be another blog post all of its own... mostly because I'm too exhausted to write anymore!

18 comments:

  1. A busy week or so indeed, but it sounds most enjoyable, except of course the funeral, I am sorry that you've lost someone. The Grayson Perry exhibition looks great, and how fascinating to have a glimpse of his sketchbooks. I always love to have a look in people's sketchbooks. The cathedral looks amazing, especially the views from the roof. Glad you've had a good time, I hope this week is good too. CJ xx

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  2. As ever a great post Gina-what a motivated do'er you are! All sounded lovely- well apart from the funeral. The circle of life and all that- life really is very short, so glad and in awe of how you fill yours with so much,

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    1. I always feel life is too short not to be busy... although I know I can overdo it at times!

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  3. What a fabulous week packed with delightful and awe inspiring events and exhibitions. I find artists' sketchbook almost more interesting than their pieces of work. Thank you for sharing all these treats. A quiet week in store, maybe?!

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  4. Goodness Gina...I have no idea how your family keep up with you!!
    What a full to capacity week and the weather was kind to you too for your outdoor events. I do love a good mooch around a cathedral myself!
    Quiet week this week then??

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  5. Definitely a busy week! I'm envying you the Grayson perry exhibition. The play looked fantastic too, open air with a picnic, perfect. We've also done some cathedral tours, such wonderful buildings and the view from the top...! Peterborough looks like an interesting one to see x

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    1. I'm hoping this week will be quieter!

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  6. It does sound like a busy week, even for you! At least most of it was good to great. I am sorry there was a family death. I am always amazed about cathedrals and how they were constructed - no cranes, no computer assisted modelling of stability etc. Mind-boggling. I hope the week ahead is fun, too. x

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  7. Gosh Gina - what a week! I've lived in and near Peterborough for the past 30 + years but didn't know it was possible to climb the cathedral tower. How wonderful :)

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    1. I can recommend the tour. It was fabulous with a really knowledgable guide.

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  8. Happy belated Birthday Gina and apologies for my late good wishes. I haven't been in blogland for a while as my mother needs much more care at the moment and time just disappears. I have really enjoyed catching up on your celebrations and 'sixty' activities. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Enjoy the rest of your 60th year and all the following years to come.

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  9. How wonderful that your celebrations are continuing so well! Sorry that you had to go to a funeral, but glad that you could make the best of it to catch up with others. xx

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  10. I hope this week is starting a little quieter than all the excitement of last week. I love Grayson Perry too and I've just bought his book, Playing to the Gallery. Your cathedral tour looks fascinating and well done for getting up all the spiral challenges.

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  11. I admit it - I am now exhausted! Pleased that you had a good time though.

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  12. What a week. A roller coaster of emotions! I enjoyed reading about it.

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  13. Boy oh Boy! I'm going to live my fun big birthday vicariously through you LOL -- mine will be here soon but I suspect it will slip by quietly with very little fanfare. If only I lived near your cathedral -- that would be at the top of my list!

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  14. Well that sounds like a good few outings and things to tick off your list. The outdoor productions are great, we once saw Dracula at Whitby Abbey during the day with the children, we all loved that. x

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    1. Ooh! Dracula at Whitby Abbey sounds fabulous!

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