All the generations

Sheffield , the biggest village in England , welcomed us back for a heartwarming family visit last weekend . The city centre had an Autumnal feel . The grandchildren were full of stories and play, enjoying kicking the crisp and yellowing leaves along the path and delighted to see Merry . 

 

                     

                                

                                

                                         Peace Gardens , Sheffield 

A family dinner celebration marking the loving marriage of Kate and Sam over the summer, was as delicious and special at ever at Tessa Bramley's " Old Vicarage " at Ridgeway. Warmth and colour are a mark of the welcome, setting and delicious food. It never fails to be a special and memorable treat. 

                                    

         

             Kate and I enjoyed a delicious veggie main course 

On Sunday , the Peak District was colourful, it's fresh air and the paths of Longshaw offered a lovely setting for a good brisk country walk. Sheffielders are so fortunate to have the Peak District on their doorstep , much as we benefit from the Downs so close to Brighton&Hove. Interestingly, the Universities of both cities have high staying on rates , is this partly the joys of country and city ?  

              

                                     

     

         

     

         

                                 

  

London on Monday brought another, a very different treat. In between a day of meetings and a rendezvous with my eldest son for early supper, I managed to visit the Royal Academy and to see the Ai Weiwei exhibition. It is quite astounding. It manages to challenge and provoke whilst delighting with his artistry . Words ...my words, cannot do it justice. And it will require a revisit. Discussing with my friend who saw some of the exhibits in New York , it is worth seeing in London, additionally. What a talented,courageous artist. 

            

                                     

      

          Courtyard trees construction 

                                    

                                        Marble buggy 

                                        

                                     

                                         One of a series of lifelike models from solitary confinement 

And to cap it all, i espied one of my heroes, Professor Mary Beard , resplendent in yellow, giving an interview in the Courtyard, as I left. She cheerily agreed to a photo. 

                                         

                                      

                                          Professor Mary Beard 

The rest of the week has been taken up with family too. This time we have been visiting our aged parents - we each have one surviving into grand old age. 

In the case of  my father , the visit was to collect him from " respite" and bring him to live with us whilst we plan with him for the best means of sustaining his independence but with more company , care and safety than his last few months alone have afforded him. He was delighted to be coming to us,and was also really appreciative of the lovely caring stay he had received in a care home , following the terrifying ordeal of a robbery at home. Of course, the cost of the care home had been a shock, and the regularity of meals was a novelty, and he did not want to be in an institution, but the kindness and care of every single member of staff was fantastic. 

He is still grieving from the death of my stepmother on Valentine's Day, and I brought a painting of her and a painting by her, for the walls of his room. 

I shared the image below to comfort a grieving friend . I must show it to dad.