This painting has been on exhibition in the Long Gallery at Burton Agnes Hall. They have quite a collection including works by Pissarro, Renoir and Augustus John amongst others so it is quite a privilege to be in such exalted company. I was delighted therefore when I was informed of its sale and I hope the new owner gets much delight from his purchase. It's been a funny old week and this sale has not been the only pleasant surprise. Last Sunday I met up with an old friend from Batley Grammar School who I hadn't seen for fifty one years. Later during the week Merice found a group on Facebook called 'Gildersome - Past and Present". Gildersome is (or was) a small village in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is the place I grew up in and though much altered I still have very many fond memories of my life there. I joined the group and have already been reunited with some friends from the past. There are photographs of me when I was but a lad attending Gildersome C of E School. They were taken sixty years ago or more so quite a blast from the past. Here's one - see if you can spot me!
Notice that all us lads had short trousers on...it certainly was a different world back then!
But now for the sting in the tail. Last night I went with Merice for a short stroll with Dilly. I felt something on my coat collar so shook my head and felt it as you do and felt a sharp pain in the back of my head. It must have been a wasp that had landed on the collar and when I went to feel what was happening the little blighter stung me. I can't ever remember being stung before but was surprised just how painful it felt. A large lump swelled up there but manfully I finished our stroll uncomplaining of course. No I didn't curse and shout or threaten deadly vengeance on any other wasp that happened to come near me again...well maybe just a bit..well maybe quite a lot but I thought my behavior had been extremely dignified and composed in view of the circumstances. Merice clearly didn't agree. You might reasonably think that I would have been able to add 'sympathy' to the title of this blog but no - the whole occasion was a source of much merriment for Merice and I swear even Dilly was cracking up with laughter. I ended the week with the title "Lumpynut"! Ah well let's see what next week brings. Glenn
But now for the sting in the tail. Last night I went with Merice for a short stroll with Dilly. I felt something on my coat collar so shook my head and felt it as you do and felt a sharp pain in the back of my head. It must have been a wasp that had landed on the collar and when I went to feel what was happening the little blighter stung me. I can't ever remember being stung before but was surprised just how painful it felt. A large lump swelled up there but manfully I finished our stroll uncomplaining of course. No I didn't curse and shout or threaten deadly vengeance on any other wasp that happened to come near me again...well maybe just a bit..well maybe quite a lot but I thought my behavior had been extremely dignified and composed in view of the circumstances. Merice clearly didn't agree. You might reasonably think that I would have been able to add 'sympathy' to the title of this blog but no - the whole occasion was a source of much merriment for Merice and I swear even Dilly was cracking up with laughter. I ended the week with the title "Lumpynut"! Ah well let's see what next week brings. Glenn
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