22nd July, 2021.
An adventure… a short break to a secluded, ultra safe hotel in Lastingham where safety measures are fully operative seemed a good idea. The quiet, safe, delightfully relaxed ambience was just what was needed after such a long time, and, before another possible Covid lockdown.
The weather was superb, hot, cloudless skies and hardly any wind. Sitting on the outside terrace, enjoying all fresco meals, it felt as if it could have been Italy. Soft voices from fellow diners, under huge sun shading parosols, mixed with the sounds of cooing pigeons reinforcing the feeling of peace and that this was a world away from the hectic, persistent pandemic. Swift’s screamed overhead as they threaded through the tall conifers. Butterflies bounced on invisible strings, nearby church bells measured time, echoed by a venerable grandfather clock from within the hotel. At dinner, an expectant robin perches on the back of a chair, a welcome guest.
Below the terrace, laid out around 1920 is a sunken garden. It is a riot of colour, a harlequin of roses. The higher borders are planted with a mix of blues and whites and a strong sense of yellow. I decide to try a painting and end up doing two. The sun shone as I painted, all the time, attentive though not intrusive staff would bring along drinks and refreshments, it was a wonderful time.
George, was also catered for and received some salmon on a bed of rice with cooling ice, such a thoughtful thing to do. Rufus, a fellow canine guest was impeccably behaved making me think that George could be a tad better behaved. How interesting it is to meet and talk to people, so to Mary and Jeffrey, hope you had a safe trip back home.
I hope you get a sense of what it was like from these two paintings.
Hope everyone keeps safe and healthy and that we can start meeting soon without any fear.
Oil on canvas board, 12x10 inch.
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