Wednesday 31st August 2011

They’ve gone North. The Head of Sotheby’s is joining and they’re having self-plucked grouse (see graph below), a unique island-grown violet cauliflower and pink champagne. Blanche Spain is there and has done 25 flower arrangements.

No ideah Scotland had so many colours. Although violet and pink, come to think of it, figure heavily in heather mixture.

Heather is seen in Scotland, if you’ve never been there.

But Joshua Baring has just this minute flashed through to say that the Scottish landscape is much wrought with sculptures; art’s hand is seen. They’ve visited in addition a deeply private art gallery.

So there you are. Do not indulge any notion that Scotland is as nature intended.

Meanwhile, I sadly am denuded of Tuscany. The Multis are still there, with Prince Dmitri, Elsa Hodgeman, Lady Newell, Adelaide Hodgeman. Marcus Cargill, England’s leading clock-mender and his partner, Hamish McCory, have also now joined. I’ve heard no word of their doings.  I expect they’re flat out. The Photo Multi has sent bank account details. I’m to transfer a tip for the maid. I thought something in the region of £40,000 would be reasonable. In fact that’s what I’ve conveyed.

I can’t believe they’re still there. Yesterday I went to John Lewis and bought a bed-base with drawers. It’s being delivered. I’ve texted Val to start thinking about dressing beds. I don’t want a dreary cotton valance.  Val will have to run something up. I think we’ll go to those Indian fabric shops in Southall.  I’m also  looking at wooden clothes drying racks.

Other plans include: The Royal Wedding dress – must see; the Serpentine pavilion, also to view, Great Dixter, final viewing of the year,  and boarding for Romania for Angus Willis’s 50th Birthday.

I might also go on as Violetta at the Met.

I seem to have slotted straight back in to the rich groove of London life.

And there’s that other long-promised item –  don’t think I’ve forgotten – my great meditation on the kitchen theme, arising from a week with Arjan Bose in the apartemento near San Giminiwhinny.

Coming soon.

Joshua Baring Plucking Grouse on Northernmost PLRG Holiday: He Can Also: Brief on How a Nuclear Power Station Works, Book Any Table at the Ivy, Tell You Where David Beckham's Last Underpants Are Buried

Violet Cauliflower, Unique Scotch Island-Grown

Robert Nevil and Joshua Baring's Scottish-Style Tuscan Villa