time for a treat

a little trip to waddesdon yesterday, to see the immagine: lace at waddesdon exhibition - dotted around the house, an array of lace and lace related responses to the house, it's contents and history - it was a busy day at the house and the lace exhibits were often tricky to find or see clearly but the hunt was fun and the volunteer room attendants were very helpful

i have been to a few exhibitions which are set out in non-gallery settings now and am beginning to see the pros and cons
- i enjoy seeing the creations in a more stimulating environment, especially where it is the source of inspiration - the work is seen and experienced by a new and wider audience
....... but the downside can be that small, delicate work (like textile and stitch) is displayed under less than optimal conditions - at waddesdon, for example, the lighting levels are low for conservation reasons, works were "fitted in" to spaces which did not always encourage close inspection especially under busy conditions

last year's folded linen displays at waddesdon seemed much better integrated and displayed - but i think the lace theme was a larger project as it involved far more artists and makers - if i had paid the full admission especially to see this exhibition i would have been disappointed - but, as with last year's visit, there was another series of works being shown which i found delightful and interesting

"rascal shadows" was inspired by the 2nd world war evacuee children who stayed in the house - it was a surprising and delightful bonus .......
....... that has reminded me that mum had a parallel experience in france, spending a period as an evacuee in a chateau owned by a family "linked to the rothschilds" she thinks - she told me about some jewish visitors/residents there, hiding from the germans - i'm not sure whether they were passing through on their way out of the occupied zone or staying for as long as they could - i must ask mum again .........(more here)
....... and that has brought me back to the present and the many people seeking refuge, asylum and a safe place ....... will we ever learn to live in peace together?

it seems completely wrong now to turn to the treat at the end of our visit - but it was such a pleasure at the time and it brings me back to better times - afternoon tea with dainty displays of delicious morsels, even mick admitted that it was good
the savoury bit

the patisserie

(the scone had already been polished off)

the end result - not a crumb remained

a fitting conclusion to the day