This is a Bateleur Eagle sunning itself at the Bird of Prey Centre at Batsford Arboretum. The look of ecstasy on it’s face was enough to raise the spirits after a long hard winter. How long it lasts is another matter, but, in the sunshine, I am ever the optimist! We hadn’t intended to visit Batsford, having planned to travel into Birmingham to see the John Flaxman exhibition at the IKON gallery on the last day of showing. The sight of the sunshine when we woke up, and the lack of the previously all pervading cold wind, decided us that a train journey, followed by a couple of hours indoors, was not proof against the idea of a walk in the sunshine, and a visit to the birds of prey. No contest!
It was a shame about the Flaxman exhibition though. His drawings are stunning, and the IKON is a gallery well worth supporting. Free entry and a really good cafe does go a long way! But the walk in the sunshine was much healthier for our bodies, if not for our minds. And its our bodies that need it at this time of year. We had , after all, travelled all the way to London to see the much vaunted Pompeii Exhibition at the British Museum to satisfy the mind.
This is one of my favourite exhibits, among so many. We have two dogs, and they try very hard, and very noisily, to defend the house for us! The exhibition as a whole can be summed up in just three words, ‘hot, crowded – and wonderful.’ There is far too much to take in on a single visit. I am lucky, I am a ‘Friend’ so I can ‘swipe’ in free whenever, and as often, as I like. (There was a long queue when we arrived, and their faces were a picture as we went to the front of the queue and straight in!) Our local Roman Museum group is organising a coach trip soon so I have booked a place – just on the coach, I don’t need a ticket! This is much cheaper than the train, and is effectively door to door. So I will have the opportunity to have a second go at seeing all the things I missed first time around, or was just too knackered towards the end!
This is a very poignant exhibit. Almost more than the bodies, and the babies crib. It shows how life was continuing right up to the last minute. There may be a volcano erupting, but the citizens of the town would still need bread! I’ve always maintained that the Romans were a very pragmatic and practical people, unlike the effete Greeks! I will now run for cover from my Hellenist friends!
One advantage of the much improved weather is being able to play golf without the disadvantages of so many layers of clothing! At least I can now actually swing a club properly. Not that the golf has improved much – but the enjoyment certainly has. For the first time for months I’ve actually seen the back 9 holes, and they are fantastic. Even the dreaded 12th is much improved by the filling in of the poorly placed ditch off the tee. Still find it hard (for some reason it is ALWAYS into the face of a strong wind!) but at least I can now aim straight over the pond instead of having to go right. 
There is a drawback to the good weather though! The garden is sprouting all over the place! This means lawns need mowing (Paul’s job!), beds need weeding, things need planting. Don’t misunderstand me, I love gardens, I just hate gardening. It’s the only time I really feel my age. Everything aches! Knees seize up, muscles go into spasm ……..! Ah well, there have to be some disadvantages to advancing age I suppose! Perhaps we will just decide to pave over the whole lot? Nah! Where would Gypsy and Ozzy go to dig holes and bring dirt and grass into the house? Where would the birds come to sing for us as we wake up? And where would we go to have that glass of wine in the summer evenings if all we could see was a boring pavement? The aches and pains really are worth it in the long run.
