Go, go ,go, to Ernesto Neto

A lot of modern art is inexplicable to me, but I really enjoy installations, when they are done well.

For all fabric fiends, texture fans and anyone who just wants an uplifting afternoon, I urge you to go to the Ernesto Neto installation at the Hayward Gallery in London. This is an incredible tactile, colourful, walk-round installation, made from fabric, plywood, stones, lavender , and astonishingly, cinnamon.

It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. If you are feeling warm, there is also an opportunity to swim outdoors in part of the art work at the top of the Hayward Gallery. It is there until 5th September, and is worth a visit to London just to enjoy it.

Quantum leap.......

There are some times in family life, when you realise that you have all taken a quantum leap on to a new part of the wobbly platform.

After the first two weeks of the school holidays, I realise that we have made one of those leaps. No-one is asking " what are we going to do today" but instead the question is " I'm off out, what time do you want me back?"

We survived, and even enjoyed, a day's punting with tempers, nerves, camera and picnic accountrements intact, and , everyone managed to stay dry.

The final dawning that we have moved into a new era, was when I saw elder son off at 7am, on his first day of work , garden labouring with our neighbour.

Like all changes of life phase, it's taking some getting used to, but it feels good.

...which do however become long summer nights

Even after so long living in London, summer nights, outside, wearing only a single thin layer of clothes, relaxing by the light of improvised lanterns, are still a novel pleasure.

Small projects for hot days

It has been too hot in London to even think, never mind sew. Thank goodness for a small postcard exchange challenge. These are all on their way to new homes where they will hopefully be enjoyed.