30 April 2010

I had a lovely day out with son, Smiler. The idea, as much as anything, was to give a brief respite to  carer Number one..We drove through the picturesque Lavenham to Sudbury in Suffolk to visit Gainsborough’s House. It has a very fine collection of his painting and as well some of the artists associated with him.(including a rather strange pale Ruebens). Smiler is particularly interested in this artist as he was a contemporary of the Welsh artist, Parry, who is the subject of Smiler’s very beautiful art book which was published last year.

The house itself is in fine condition and was obviously quite smart in its day. Gainsborough had no money and was the son of a weaver who he had married well and was therefore able to live in reasonable style. Fortunately the museum.  had  installed a wheelchair lift so walking around the exhibition was no great problem for me. We then had lunch at a little cafe nearby before stopping off in a pub garden for coffee and a cigar.

A delightful excursion allowing some of that, so essential, quality time between father and son

On the home front the boys had finished the wheelchair path to house and the wet room now only awaits the floor which I gather will be laid next Tuesday