TM 10

Ibolya and I had our very first date at Tate Modern so we felt we ought to help celebrate it's 10th anniversary on Sunday afternoon. We walked over Millennium Bridge from St Paul's, had brunch in a new cafe called 'The Table' and checked out the last day of the Van Doesberg show. There was also something messy and noisy going on in the Turbine Hall called 'Now Soul for Sale'. I'm still not sure what it was. I left my memory chip at home so these pictures are from iPhone.
Sunday's Track of the Day was Spike Milligan's 'Q5 Piano Tune' on Adam Buxton's mix-tape programme on Radio 6. Hugely nostalgic, hearing it again, and happiest and silliest music imaginable.

Cycle Ride

In between spending time in the garden, Ruby, Ibolya and I got on our bikes and rode along the canal tow path to the mighty Goldborne Road. On the way, we stopped to feed the newborn goslings and ducklings. At the top end of Portobello, I bought this Chinese money box and Ibolya bought a magnificent addition to our Tretchikoff era print collection, I'll add a photo when we get it home.

In the Garden

Morning




Afternoon


We spent a lot of time in the garden on Saturday. I gave the lawn a little mow, Ibolya hung out the laundry (she loves doing that), had 5 minutes with the paper while Ruby was asleep, did a spot of weeding, the cats sun-bathed and we all had a mixed-grill BBQ dinner and ate outside.
Track of the day was from Mike Vitti's, Jazz FM, Funky Sensation show (which Ruby I listen to every Saturday night at bath time)and the track was a glorious jazz/funk workout by 'Pleasure' called 'Joyous'.

New Political World

I still have a 'when Jamie Sommers died in Six Million Dollar Man' feeling about Gordon leaving Downing Street but I'm feeling a bit better since Nick and Dave's press conference yesterday. They both seem very genuine and the so called 'seismic shift in politics' and bi-partisan approach is excitingly new and positive (much, much better than the alternative of a weak, minority, Conservative government).
So I'm prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt and really hope that we can look back in 5 years time and see that the new-politics delivered on it's promise; to eradicate the budget deficit and build sustainable prosperity for this country, based on socially conscious and environmentally sound principals. I genuinely wish our new government all the very best of British and loads of very good luck.

Joanna Newsom

Having obsessively followed, minute by minute, all the political developments since the election, I couldn't believe that in the time I was sitting in the Royal Festival Hall, listening to the sublime sounds of Joanna Newsom, we lost a noble Prime Minister, gained a new PM and a new history making, multi-coloured, government had taken control of the country, all the action taking place, just a few minutes from where I was sitting.
Joanna though was simply astounding. Accompanied by percussion, guitar, strings and a trombone, she performed her delicately beautiful music with great wit and enjoyment. I'm totally smitten and enthralled by her. Roy Harper supported and he wasn't bad too.
These pictures were borrowed from Flickr.

Rest of the Weekend

We had a lovely Friday night, catching up with Pete, Karen and Stephen over dinner and sharing some of our baby experience.
After the Saatchi Gallery, on Saturday morning, Becky, Andy, Ibolya, Ruby and I; tried to take cover from the rain in every coffee place at the eastern end of King's Road but all were full (with very posh people) but no one was in the marvelous cafe at the Royal Court, which does superb coffee and the toilets are nice too. I cooked my legendary fish pie on Saturday night.
On Sunday morning, we took Ruby to the park and Kate and Dan invited us all over for Sunday lunch. We toasted the arrival, of the newly named, Eliza Dixie and Ruby and Maisie did lots of sharing and playing nicely together.

The Empire Strikes Back

Andy and Becky came to stay with us for the weekend and on Saturday morning we took them to the Saatchi Gallery to see The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today, exhibition. It was a fantastic show, nothing really that good individually but just a very fine mix of work, that's very international and visually exciting. The gallery and buildings are also such a brilliant place to see art; great light, space and floors. Ruby loved it too - getting really excited about running around the place and they are cool about taking photos too. Something I strongly disapprove of in principal but is great for my blog.
It was also fantastic to see Richard Wilson's stunning installation 20:50 again. Transferred from Boundary Road, via County Hall, it was like seeing a well-loved old friend again.