Devon III

On Wednesday we travelled North across Exmoor to Dunster Castle (NT). Established in Norman times the castle became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived here for 600 years. 
Later we moved on to Minehead and watched the last steam train of the Summer season depart. We then enjoyed Fish & Chips on the promenade before heading back home across Exmoor with a stop to admire the Milky Way. 

Devon II

We visited the Pannier Market in Torrington where we bought souvenirs before moving on to Dartington Crystal. The factory tour included two areas where decanters were being made; each of which were wondrous displays of synchronisation and efficiency.
In the afternoon we took a picnic lunch to the beach at Woolacombe before heading back south to Westward Ho! to watch the sunset.

Devon I

On our way to Devon we stopped en route at Dyrham Park (NT) near Bath and Bristol. The 17th Century mansion is undergoing a huge conservation project to repair the leaking roof. A rooftop walkway gives visitors the chance to see the restoration work and also affords spectacular views across the deer park.
After arriving at the Library, near Great Torrington we set off to find food. The choices were limited but "The Spice" in Bideford allowed us to see the moonrise across the River Torridge.

Inside Out

Antman

Jurassic World

Minions

Mr. Holmes

L A N D

L A N D : An art installation for all to mark Landmark’s 50th year.

Five sculptures by Antony Gormley will be installed at five Landmark sites across the UK in time for our Golden Weekend 16-17 May 2015, and then freely available to view until May 2016. Each work is conceived in direct response to each location

To download the booklet, click here.

"The Landmark Trust’s 50th anniversary is an occasion to think and feel the nature of our species, its history and future, and its relationship to the huge biodiversity of living beings that exist on the surface of this extraordinary blue planet."

Antony Gormley

Nearby to Lowsonford we had lunch in Henley in Arden 

Paul Merton's Impro Chums

Avengers - Age of Ultron

Swarkestone Pavilion

Millennium Falcon

The Wedding

Dara O'Briain - Crowd Tickler

Big Hero 6

Birdman

Heckington Singers

An evening of Christmas Music by the Heckington Singers included several solo performances and readings including this work by Frederick Niven:

In Flanders on the Christmas morn
The trenched foemen lay,
the German and the Briton born,
And it was Christmas Day.

The red sun rose on fields accurst,
The gray fog fled away;
But neither cared to fire the first,
For it was Christmas Day!

They called from each to each across
The hideous disarray,
For terrible has been their loss:
"Oh, this is Christmas Day!"

Their rifles all they set aside,
One impulse to obey;
'Twas just the men on either side,
Just men — and Christmas Day.

They dug the graves for all their dead
And over them did pray:
And Englishmen and Germans said:
"How strange a Christmas Day!"

Between the trenches then they met,
Shook hands, and e'en did play
At games on which their hearts were set
On happy Christmas Day.

Not all the emperors and kings,
Financiers and they
Who rule us could prevent these things —
For it was Christmas Day.

Oh ye who read this truthful rime
From Flanders, kneel and say:
God speed the time when every day

Shall be as Christmas Day.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Fantastic show at Birmingham Symphony Hall by Rod & Gab. The venue was probably as daunting to them as it was impressive to us but that did not prevent them from grabbing some fans and bringing them up on stage to join in with rhythm support. Gabby's solo piece was mesmerising and jawdropping; it was as if she had a dozen instruments in a guitar shaped box. Inevitably, 'Tamacun' to end got everyone on their feet and rounded off a wonderful performance. Highly recommended!

I am Baymax - How can I help you?

A handful of people from our business were lucky enough to be invited to a special advance screening of Big Hero 6 at Disney HQ in Hammersmith. The film was great and made me laugh out loud in several places. The art direction and attention to detail was all the more pleasing because I could see how much effort had gone into creating San Fransokyo following our trip to Japan. Put it on your watch list!