Sunday 5 April 2009

Stourhead and books

We actually visited Stourhead about a month ago. I can't think why I haven't been there before since it's only about an hour and a half away, not far off the A303 in Wiltshire. The structure of the garden is so lovely that it doesn't really matter what time of year you go, but I imagine it looks even more glorious now the rhododendrons and azaleas must be blooming. The Palladian house was closed for the winter season when we went, but the garden is the main attraction. It's a wonder they created this stunning landscape in the 18th century without modern earth moving equipment. Photo credit, Rory. The BBC has some more pix here
Misc quick reading notes: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, dramatic but not my cup of tea. Am trying to finish Julia Gregson's long book, The Water Horse, very well researched but I can't empathise with the 20 year old heroine. Dipped into A Pattern of Islands by Arthur Grimble, charming. (He was a colonial officer in the early 1900s.) Much enjoyed Anne Tyler's Earthly Possessions, thanks to Monix for sending it to me. I love AT's dead pan humour. Finally I re-read the evocative On the Black Hill by Bruce Chatwin, set on the Welsh Borders before and after the war (a masterpiece, said Auberon Waugh at the time.)
I also dipped into a self-help book about not being distracted and hopping from one task to another like a grasshopper as I do most of the time. Apparently you have to tell your creative right brain to stop interrupting your sensible systematic left brain. Hmm.

5 comments:

Jan Jones said...

Gosh, what a stunning setting, Susie.

I did chuckle at you dipping into the don't-distract-me book.

Unknown said...

I need that book.

One of my first dates with DH was wandering through the grounds:-)
lx

Ms Mac said...

What a beautiful garden!

I thought My Sister's Keeper was vastly overrated. Like much of Picoult's stuff.

Cath said...

Stourhead is wonderful. We try to get there once a year if possible.

I read that Picoult and quite liked it but but have not felt inspired to rush out get hold of more by her.

Susie Vereker said...

Thanks for your comments. Funnily enough, despite dipping into self-help book, I still get distracted.