under another sun

Off this morning to Trafalgar Square to meet Bob under the usual lion. However the square had been cordoned off and there was a big stage there where people were rehearsing songs from High School Musical. An affront to human decency I called it. I was early, and it was hot, but luckily Bob was already there and we hopped into Pret for a cold drink of water and a sandwich. There after a good deal of catching up, we decided to go to the Zurbarán exhibition in The National. It was rather fabulous, full of imposing and brilliant paintings, loaded with meanings, and I write  more about it here .  We went ambling about having beers and catching up. We'd not met up this year, so there was loads to discuss. He was in top form, however, and we had a good laugh. We visited the Salisbury, which of course is a trusty favourite, then off to The Seven Stars, which makes me think of Bleak House because it is deep in the legal part of town, then to the Cittie of York, where we sat conspirator...

Off to London this morning to meet Bob, as he put it 'under the usual lion' in Trafalgar Square. On the train I spoke to Mum, and very sadly she had to have Felix put down, as he was very ill. Wynford went with Mum to the vet, and was really helpful. I sent him a text to thank him. Mum obviously very sad. Bob and I had a lovely day. We lurked near the National Gallery, and a coffee, and then after going through the market that has sprung up on the edge of Trafalgar Square,  we went into the National to see a small exhibition by Joseph Wright of Derby. It was an example of Tenebrism, paintings showing people lit only by the light of candles, or in one case the light of a white hot poker, and everything falling back into darkness. A thin exhibition to be honest, and Bob and I knew one of the main exhibits which is in the permanent exhibition. But still fascinating and thought provoking. Then back into the Trafalgar Square where we bought two bratwurst hot dogs from a German sausa...

Up to London today, meeting Bob in Trafalgar Square. Met up and had a quick coffee and a roll in a Prêt. We discussed exhibitions to see, as is our wont. The cafe was noisy and he reeled off a list of options, including a fascinatingly postmodern one called 'Debussy and Freud'. I mentioned this seemed very interesting but it turned out this was actually Lucian Freud, which we went to see. But not before having a single pint in the Salisbury.  Thence into the exhibition. Enjoyable without being life changing. Freud's penchant for repulsive looking flesh tones always makes me feel weird, despite their obvious skill. On only one occasion did Bob point at a painting with his finger hovering three or four millimetres over the priceless surface, a habit that makes me, and assorted staff nervous. Thought provoking stuff. Then we mooched off to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese a long time haunt. Today we were able to get a seat in the little bar, where a Welsh guy began chatting to us. Then...

Friday, and up to the smoke to see Bob. A fine way to spend a Friday but felt curiously twitchy about being in London as I was waiting for Bob. Still, nice to be getting off at Blackfriars and sauntering down the South Bank towards the Royal Festival Hall, chatting to Mum on the phone. I know the South Bank very well having worked there for a couple of years, apart from all the visits. Met Bob outside Folyes and after a bite to eat and a cup of tea inside the RFH we went to Haywards Gallery and spent a happy couple of hours mooching around the Hayward Gallery looking at an exhibition of contemporary painting called Mixing It Up: Painting Today . It felt great to be presented with work that stretched me, rather than looking at stuff that was simply decorative. Bob and I mooched about discussing paintings at some length. Several works I found really excellent. Kudzanai-Violet Hwami's picture Family Portrait, made me feel uneasy but we were chatting about it for ages. Pictures by Gare...

An unspeakable morning, with icy pouring rain. Much of the country covered in snow. Lorraine off to work, and after I sent a worky couple of emails I packed up my bag and headed off into the deluge. Outside my gate a man passed walking his dog, and said 'nasty weather' to me from under his hat, and he was right. Walked down to Preston Park. A South African businessman based in Australia started talking to me as we peered out at the rain that had some snow in it, but he soon began to enlarge on foreigners, the dangers of being 'overrun' and the glories of Brexit, I made my excuses and legged off to faux first when the train came.  Up to Paddington, where the rain was slushy. Into the Paddington offices, and dropped off the laptop they had lent me, and received a handshake from now recovered Daniel, and hug from my pal from other agencies, Yas, who was there and just about to go to Sri Lanka today, and from Harriet one of the team I had been away with in Austria. From P...

A day of birthdays. Anton, off to a wedding, and Bob, who I went up to London to meet. I met him at Trafalgar Square, and having arrived early I paced three times about Nelson's column, and I successfully summoned him.  We went off to the Nell Gwynne for a cheeky beer, where a man stared me in the eyes as if I were on TV for a while. Very odd. However a good chat, then we went to the Courtauld Gallery where there was an exhibition of Georgiana Houghton's work. She lived 1814-1884) and was a spiritualist medium, and did abstract watercolours, her hand guided by various spirits. Her work reminded me of outsider artists. This and other pictures looked at, Bob interrogating   A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Manet, when I told him the reflection of the girl was in the wrong place. From there to pubs, briefly to the Bank then to The Seven Stars , which is a splendid pub behind the royal courts of justice and legal folks go there. I sat in there alone for a bit while Bob popped int...

Working on sepsis first thing this morning, then off to the gym for a fairly mild-mannered workout as I figured there may not be much chance to go much soon, as freelance work is stacking up in the weeks ahead. Hot there and sweating. Then home again to shower and change, then off to see Bob in London. Arrived at Embankment station to a dark sky and thick drops of rain, which soon turned into an absolute downpour. As I cowered in the shelter to text Bob, I noticed I had a voicemail. Managed to arrange my colonoscopy for Saturday morning, as the thunder crackled overhead. Eventually danced through the rain to meet Bob upstairs at the Chandos. Had a sensible drink there till the rain cleared and we went wandering about. Caught up on all the gossip and news. Had a good conversation about Brexit too, sharing the view that there is a lack of clarity about the debate. Nobody knows what will happen either way. Eventually we stopped at the pub near the poetry café, and as we were ...