Join me on my trips

Came up on a cheap deal train to Marylebone then because of various protests not including what was happening in Parliament and in the pouring rain took a taxi to the Courtauld. Special  Frank Auerbach exhibition reminding me of my girl. On the way there I passed this plaque. They are all around its just sometimes the you spot one. Standing in the rain I noticed it. The courtauld has a wonderful collection of French Impressionists. Cezanne and Monet and Van Gogh alongside Manet and Pisarro and all free to see. And this Hitchens. Then these two from the National Gallery which I visited the next day. The Rousseau tiger and one from Switzerland by Hodler. It sure did rain and here are the scenes of that. Met Robert for delicious dinner at Waggamamma. Didn't sleep well. In the morning it was wet again but walked to Borough market - passed many offices of architects with their lovely little models. And found the way into Southwark Cathedral. When walking back towards Tate Modern I came

 As I have had a cold and cough nothing much to report so have been filling in gaps in my Imperial Stamp Album and in the GB Davo. Keep missing out on eBay auctions where people come in in the last second — I think it is called sniping — so almost no matter what amount you put in someone is sure to wish to pay more. Glad I have indoor pursuits. Last night was our book group here and my choice was myths and legends. I chose to tell the story of the red dragon of Wales which apparently still resides under the ground at Dinas Elwys. We had Bara Brith for tea.  In the Six Nations Wales are not doing that well so good to be supporting Ireland. Have done a couple of paintings of Tanzanian trees. Known as the candelabra euphorbia or the Naboom. An acacia tree. The colours of the grasses in each do not come out quite as they are — here they look rather bleached instead of a golden yellow and terracotta. Astonishing rainbow with exceptional violet.