Wednesday 10th May 2017
Which is worse – summer or winter? I think summer because of the gardening. Not that gardening doesn’t begin in January or December or November. Does it ever end? But there isn’t the furious roar of Nature growing away to be contended with. I killed myself in the garden before leaving for the Gay Mother’s for Easter. Now it’s all to be done again as I prepare to depart for the May visit. This lack of rain and persistent dust doesn’t help. We’ve lunches Saturday and Sunday so outfits to be planned – not easy when it’s lunch on a farm. Also in summer being more outdoors you are more seen, so clothes can’t be left to look after themselves. Plus there is more travelling. For instance at the next bank holiday I visit Scotland again as last year with The Laird (laminated itinerary cards) and Lairdess, plus Laura Malcolm, Matt Driver, Beamish O’Halloran and Moira McMatron. Luckily I’ve managed to secure a fresh supply of suitable tartan outfits, plus making do with last year’s tartan. Incredible strain of squeezing all this into a walk-on case.
Glyndebourniana, the Buckingham Palace opening, picnics – an agony of packing and detail. One longs for the autumn, then before you know it, it’s Christmas and the caravan of luggage sets out for the Far West days in advance.
Tomorrow Genevieve Suzy and I visit Highclere on Dainty Lady TV business. Apparently we’re to be received exclusively by the Countess. Lunch was offered initially then abolished.
Last Friday I took a Wyndham Lewis Tour climaxing at the Imperial War Museum and lunch in the Orpen Room. Next Thursday is the Queen’s Gallery opening for Canaletto.
But I digress. Here are my tulips for this year. The back garden ones have been preserved by the cold weather; the others were over weeks ago.