Himley in the snow

My friends who I visit most days in the paddocks

Himley February snow

I could not resist being the first to enjoy walking in the snow
but of course the birds and rabbits had already been out

The view across the paddocks is always a delight
I walk through the orchard in the warmer days
enjoying the fruit there and also
taking apples to Pretty Woman and her friends
in the paddocks
every time I go to see them
they come to meet me
in the orchard and in the lane I have company

Indonesia book

Part of my interest in SOUTH EAST ASIA
............ASEAN ................
was first because of its beautiful flora and fauna
I was New Zealand Government Consultant to Tonga
a project which primarily focussed on developing the horticultural base
of the island so that the people could become more
self sufficient ............
I am always interested to read of programmes which contribute to
wellbeing of individuals and the environment
and here I am checking the work currently in Indonesia
of reforestation...
to return to the soil some of its nutrients
plant new trees
and provide an improved ecology
This shows some of that work
happening right now

INDONESIA gift

I travelled some years ago to INDONESIA. In Jakarta
I found much to fascinate me, then later in Bali ,......
who could resist the warm welcome from local people,
the superb food sometimes an Asian and Dutch mixture
often served outside on many dishes ,while
gentle music may play
For me Ubud ,the home of many crafts people
has a unique appeal, as many repeat designs
which have been handed down for centuries
............................................................................
In the background, at my cottage,
the Indonesia figure, a gift from the Ambassador to Indonesia when I was his
guest at a banquet..nothing else describes the meal.....held in a Park Lane Hotel as part of the World Travel Market
held each year in London which I used to attend regularly, when circumstances permitted
On the wall above.. my painting, done many years
ago which my parents enjoyed very much

Knowle Greswolde

Recently I lunched at The Greswolde Hotel in Knowle
near Solihull
with the Express and Star Newspaper television journalist Wendy Lloyd
who last year came to film an interview at my cottage
which is now on the internet
It was an excellent lunch and a nice time to catch up
with her
and I hope that sometime in the future she might find
some other of my activities of interest
Last time it was for the launch of my book
A trip to Paris

Worcestershire

Some years ago on one of my many visits from
overseas to see my parents
I made a series of drawings of local houses to add to the collection which I started
many years ago when I studied in Dudley my home town

The one here a family home in Kingswinford called itself Wayside...
which, as it sits on the main road
from the small town, to open countryside, my present home Himley,
location of the beautful Himley Hall, which I have drawn, in which I had a book launch,
also in which I had an office, and which daily, I visit to enjoy Capability Brown's chosen landscape
then Wolverhamption City
I suppose is appropriate
in some countries where I have lived, this would be a rarity
but thankfully in England many simple houses like this litter the countryside
making this Country unique in its attractions

Motor racing

I have enjoyed motor racing for many years and it was so nice to meet
Fairuz Fauzy Malaysian racing driver at
The Merdeka Malaysia Celebration
in 2007, when I was guest for lunch of
The High Commissioner
I was later his guest for a weekend racing at Donington which is not far from my home

Last week I invited him to my MALASIA DINNER AT
THE CIVIL SERVICE CLUB
on 11th March when my
special guest is
Sir Patrick Cormack FSA MP
who launched with me, last year my book A trip to Paris


Unfortunately for my Dinner, Fairuz is racing in Spain
but I will be seeing him soon at Silverstone
He sent to me photographs of his new Car
and he and his Manager Jon Beale sent their best wishes for the
success and enjoyment of my Dinner
I look forward to seeing him racing