Mouse & Muse Blog
by Trevor Millum
An occasional series which I hope is of interest to friends and family. Feedback always welcome.
A Hidden Amphitheatre and Harrison’s First Clock
Underneath London's Guildhall Art Gallery is a Roman amphitheatre and this, believe it or not, is it. In spite of (or perhaps because of) the 21st Century lighting effects, the space is very atmospheric. Above, the gallery reflects Victorian high art with...
Christmas Masque
It's amazing what even a half-mask can do. Some masks suit the wearer better than others but all the members of this group seem to have exactly the right persona! Even some of their own family didn't recognise who was who when sent a photo....
Brighton Ahoy
The West Pier broods out to sea like some burnt out alien spaceship while the East Pier has the razzmatazz. Some stunning buildings along the front as well as some more recent monstrosities. Back from the sea-front the Lanes provide a cornucopia (seems...
John and James Harrison
This beautiful clock, believe it or not, was made by the speaker at our Better Barrow talk last week. Andrew King is the world authority on John and James Harrison, the clock-making brothers who came from Barrow-upon-Humber. Not only that, he is a...
Letters, words, books!
Robert Smail's Printing Works in Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders is a must-visit for anyone interested in the printed word. The Natioanl Trust for Scotland has saved and preserved this gem of a place, which still prints items for local and NTS needs. The...
Donegal
Back in Donegal after too many years' absence and it's as lovely as ever. A tea-time trip to Tramore Beach overlooking the Gweebarra Estuary: there was one other person on the beach... Back in Portnoo we spent much of the time watching the weather pass by the...
Haddon Hall
Unlike many 'stately homes', Haddon Hall is not approached by a grand driveway through stately avenues and rolling parkland. Perched on a rocky outcrop it more resembles a castle than a mansion, with an approach which no carriage or coach would have been able to...
Brittany in Summer
Blue sea, blue sky - suddenly it's summer in Brittany. This is the view from Cap Frehel but there are stunning panoramas all along the coast, including deserted stretches of sand, curving bays, rocky promontories and the odd boat making its way across the waves....
The Wild (South) West
In spite of very variable weather - sun, wind, rain - we did get to visit lots of gardens here in Cornwall, and there are plenty to choose from. We chose Godolphin, Tregwainton, Trelissick, Lanhydrock and a little gem: Bonython. On the way back we also managed to...
Picardy
One of the many delightful buildings in St Valery, Picardy, a few miles down the road from Ponches Estruval, a small village where we were staying with friends. Gardening, eating, drinking and listening to music at the local music festival made up a pretty near...
Recent Comments