Intermission

The one without any printmaking

Hello

I can’t show you my latest print yet because it’s a present for a friend, which is why I also haven’t been showing any work-in-progress images on Instagram, in case you were wondering (which I reluctantly accept you probably weren’t).

So instead here is some other stuff:

Take a breather

In a recent edition of one of my favourite Substacks, Six Things,

Lev Parikian

posted a very clever and also very calming video made by someone who recorded two journeys along a riverside walk in Twickenham, once on foot, and once in a kayak when the river had burst its banks, with both shown side by side (or rather one on top of the other, like the teams in University Challenge). I am certainly not going to steal Lev’s content by posting the video here, so to see it you will have to click the button below and read Lev’s entertaining Substack instead, which you won’t regret.

Watching that marvellously peaceful video with no sound other than the splosh of water or snatches of passing voices reminded me of the excellent genre of Slow TV. I particularly loved the BBC’s ‘All Aboard: The Sleigh Ride’ which I have yet to watch all the way through because without fail it sends me to sleep, but I have watched the first forty minutes a LOT and I assume the rest of it is just as pleasant. It is perfect for a winter afternoon and a mug of hot chocolate, just so long as you don’t have to do anything or be anywhere. If you do, set an alarm. For reasons unknown this particular programme is no longer available on BBC iPlayer, so I was thrilled to find it is on YouTube. I don’t know its provenance or the copyright legitimacy of it being there; I ask no questions and merely offer you the link…

Out and about

While we’re talking about snow and reindeer I am, against my better principles, getting sucked into the Christmas vibe already. We visited Castle Howard at the weekend to see their Christmas display, which this year is on the theme of Neverland. As always it is a sumptuous feast of decoration, lighting, projections and sound effects. In the Crimson Dining Room the precious paintings on the walls appear splattered with food as the Lost Boys have a food fight, while Tinkerbell flitters around anxiously. Lady Georgiana’s Dressing Room is home to Mrs Darling’s Christmas preparations…

… while the Music Room has been transformed into Captain Hook’s Cabin.

In the Garden Hall the Mermaids’ Lagoon is home to mermaids, fish and crabs. The background noise of music and visitors’ voices in the video below means you might not hear the ominous tick tock which precedes the arrival of the crocodile. (This is of course simply a projection onto a piece of cloth on the floor, but I saw one child try to dip their hand in the water and they won’t be the last).

And how do you link the traditional enormous Christmas tree in the Great Hall to Peter Pan? Well you make it tropical with parrots and rope bridges of course.

If you are tempted to visit yourself, do book early as this event quickly sells out. As we have demonstrated, it is not necessary to have children in tow and we can summon up a fair bit of childish wonder on our own, but the children who were there with their parents and grandparents seemed enchanted.

We have several other must-do things at this time of year that have become our own traditions and which I recommend. If you’re not in Yorkshire then you might want to look away now lest you be consumed by envy.

Burton Agnes Hall - in complete contrast to the extravagances of Castle Howard, there are no big outside events companies brought in to create installations and theatrical effects here. All the decorations in this lovely Jacobean house and the surrounding gardens and woodland are created by the family and staff. It is one of our favourite places to go (and that isn’t only because they welcomed me as Artist in Residence for several years). For more information click here.

Glow - RHS gardens around the country. We go to Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate as that is our local garden, but these night time illuminations happen at all five RHS locations. As with Castle Howard, book early as they always sell out. For more information click here.

York Minster Carol Concerts 7-8 December - pro tip: wear thermals and thick soled shoes. We have booked our usual unreserved side aisle seats so will be queuing with the hoi polloi and then scrambling for a good spot. (The more expensive reserved centre aisle seats have already sold out). For more information click here.

If you have your own recommendations for seasonal outings please do share them in a comment below - any part of the country or world welcomed.

And finally…

Our visit to Castle Howard included being shamelessly tricked by bakery skulduggery. It was only when we got home we realised the true identity of the ‘Rudolf’ gingerbread we had bought. The deception! The mendacity!

Well, hopefully by the next time I write I will have some printmaking to show you.

Until then, thanks as always for reading.

Jane