Indonesia Batik

I always take to my Talks some of the batiks from Asia and also songket............
the cloth made from 24 carat gold....
this is one of my batiks, which I like from Indonesia..I am dining with Two Cabinet Ministers at Harrods
on Thursday 29th as part of Indonesia month..we had an excellent lunch there previously
This was taken at my Talk at the Park Royal Hotel with the CAMEO ladies

Dudley Worcestershire

In England we have such a wealth of delightful buildings
that we become so blase

In some countries where I have lived, even one would be the subject of learned discourse...........
pamphlets and pictures would be distributed
and visits would be made in Groups...............so what would I do with this fine building of 1700's
sited near to the Art Gallery ...........not sung about ..no plaque....and yet what a fine example
of a well proportioned house...just ideal for a Townhouse..and where I can pass on the way to
seeing people about my latest book.........today The Express & Star newspaper came to
brighten a lovely sunny afternoon even more...Patrick took photographs ..we talked ..he saw my books
and I invited him to return soon, to see more of my Paintings..when they also are framed ..to show
alongside my new book....................Victoria's International Art.....................

Victoria by Patrick Express & Star

Patrick came today from the Express & Star newspaper

to take photographs of me
with my new book
Victoria's International Art
he took some especially for me...........
to show my Sabah butterfly cover here..to my friends
it will be nice to see the article soon

Dudley Market Fountain

Even as a small girl I liked to look at this...for me ......
the famous fountain which seemed to stand guard over the beginning of the
open Market ...which had small lamps at night...
a wonderful atmosphere on Christmas Eve, garlands hanging from the stalls.
the striped awnings lit by the lamps...how I loved it...
holly, mistletoe, wreaths hanging in each stall ..
the cobbled areas between the Market Stalls
making the area even more exotic for me

I think that I never lost that enthusiasm

Dudley Castle

It is such a lovely day
and as yesterday Saint Georges Day...had the patriotic sounds of music
at the Concert Hall
I could not resist this very English view
my Castle ...as I always thought it was
flying the Flag
this is what I saw every time I returned home
from living, working in Spain New Zealand Indonesia Hong Kong Malaysia New York
etc etc ..is it any wonder that now I like to spend a pleasant
afternoon strolling through the Market
talking to the traders..they know me..
and enjoying home
what a delightful word

Victoria with Director General Tourism Indonesia

Last year I was the Guest of The Director General of Tourism of Indonesia and

The Ambassador, at a 3 day event at The Horniman Museum and in the City..........Sapta Nirwander and I had a long meeting where we talked about my invitations to Indonesia from The New Zealand Government............

and the invitation for me to produce the Official book of Indonesia from
the Head of the Indonesia Mission to New Zealand
Now a almost a year later I am delighted to see
what he has achieved at Harrods...where my English books were sold
For a month Indonesia shows its lifestyle and expertise to the discerning visitor
I am delighted to be the Guest of the Republic of Indonesia

once again ..here with Sapta Nirwander at Harrods

Victoria's International Art

I always love this...collecting a new book from the Printer.......
this copy was due to be in New York on Thursday night
but here it is grounded like its Author in Worcestershire

We both hope to travel at the end of the month

Victoria at The Park Hall hotel

I was invited by the CAMEO ladies of Wolverhampton to speak
I have been here for lunch many times
and it was an extremely pleasant evening
about 90 ladies attended
and I talked about my many overseas visits ..Advising Governments,
previously Corporations
and now still travelling... but I am now able to return to England
to live..which is so much more interesting for me

my Talk at The Park Hall hotel

I take with me to these evenings some of the lovely

batiks made in Asia .......this a Thai silk shirt
with a delightful bird design
is so different from th traditional batiks of years ago
and a reason why batik survives as a daily item......perfect for the heat of ASEAN
CAMEO Organiser... Jane Emery who invited me to speak

Stourbridge

Mother's home town

I lectured at Stourbridge College for some time
had a business there
and knew it well from visits to Uncles, Aunts, cousins, Grandparents since childhood..................
............................................................
Recently I visited Mark Hannam who, with Bonhams recommended first my Talks and
Exhibitions
He has now moved to Fieldings ...and here one of their displays for Clients
at The Auction rooms

Victoria & the Indonesia Government at Harrods

I was delighted to join
Director of Tourism Indonesia Sapta Nirwander
and His Excellency Yuri O Thamrin Ambassador for the Republic of Indonesia
at Harrods for a tour of the displays
and a delightful Indonesian lunch
Here Ambassador Yuri and I start on the tour of the brilliant windows
and also the many Indonesian exhibits and products on sale
for the month

we were joined after lunch by the owner of Harrods,
Mohd Fayed who obviously was delighted by the
exhibition of beautiful items of Indonesia crafts

Dudley Castle

As I go out of my door
the first delightful sight for me
is my Castle ......................
From each part of the town, and from far way
The Dudley Castle does what it was designed to do...
dominates the landscape
proclaiming Dudley Town's superior status
which for me it still has...and always will
=

David at the Market

I see David most mornings when I collect my Times from the Newsagents
so when I was taking photographs in the town centre..
never missing the Market...
I thought that it would be so nice to wait until David
was at the head of the queue
with his fruit...Thank you David
for a nice picture

Dudley Worcestershire

My home town Dudley has not altered very much since
I was born and at the girl's ~High school here
The old market
which I always thought was the best in the world...
is still busy, even on a sunny, but cool spring day....
in the background the tower of Saint Edmunds' Church
and before the open market
the
well known fountain

My Castle..as a young girl, my father took me each Sunday after Sunday school

to feed the animals at Dudley Zoo...my favourite spot was on the cannons of Dudley Castle

I am now settling into my new home

Dudley town centre has not altered much since I was at school nearby

The Council House

Concert Chamber

Art Gallery

Museum

Library

are within a few steps of my door