Art attack........

Joan Bakewell, Lynn Barber, Tracey Emin....... and me, all standing within wine spilling distance of one another. And then Zandra Rhodes rocked up in all her pink and purple glory........I thought I was going to self combust. We were all at Tate Britain for the opening of the fabulous Patrick Caulfield and Gary Hume exhibitions and what delightful shows they are. In lieu of any actual sunlight to raise our summer spirits, go fill your hearts and minds with the visual spledery that is their work. On now till September.

Tulips 2009 Gary Hume

Top tip: the newly refurbed Tate Britain is brilliant, it's like all the pictures have been given a good scrub. Just go.

Silence is golden.....

Sometimes, there really is nothing to say.......

Sometimes, life's a beach........

Top tip: as Thumper once said, if you can't say something nice....... don't say nothing at all.

Walking back to happines.......

"Yes," I said, when my friend asked me if I'd like to go to the movies last Sunday afternoon, "shall we walk there?"
"Sure," he replied, "lets start at Greenwich."
And so we took the DLR to Greenwich, a fun trip in itself, and then walked, under the Thames, along the river to Limehouse and then up Regent's Canal to Islington........ 8 miles in two and a half hours, through cyclists and dog walkers, high winds and spiky rain, with no equipment, training or support vehicle. As we triumphantly arrived at the cinema we did feel like we'd been away, a long way away but now we were back. And people should know. Where were the balloons? The t-shirts? Not even a badge?

And lest we forget....... somewhere the sun is shining.....

Top tip: walking is excellent exercise for all ages and less lightly to cause the hip and knee injuries often sustained by the more mature runners.

We need to talk about ...... Olivia

Olivia Colman that is. Not only does she do comedy like a comedy queen ...... did you see Peep Show or Twenty Twelve or Rev....... but she can also make you cry. Did you see Broadchurch? The last episode? Not only was I watching an ITV cop show but I was bawling my eyes out.

I don't really do police procedurals as a rule, somebody did do it and it will be revealed....... it's either the last one to get interviewed or the first one to get interviewed but somebody missed something...... however, I was tuned in week after week to ITV's Broadchurch specifically to see Ms. Colman. And oh what a star turn. She's a national treasure in waiting, twice nominated for BAFTAs for Twenty Twelve and Accused, if she doesn't win something there is no justice.

Top tip: watch Olivia Colman on The Graham Norton Show,  Friday May 10th.

Greece is the word......

I went to Greece on an unexpected holiday and as expected, it was beautiful. We flew to Kefalonia with a plan to go straight to Ithica but due to a ferry strike we had to wait a day. So we spent the night at the utterly wonderful, Museum Hotel George Molfetas, where we were greeted like old friends by Katerina and Barry. Each room is uniquely styled, filled with art and curios and set around a beautiful, secluded courtyard. And while we were ferreting out our flip-flops and suncream Katerina rustled up a rather lavish light lunch and Barry poured the cold beer. The unfortunate ferry strike turned instantly into a fortunate discovery, worth the price of the flight alone........

www.georgemolfetas.com/en/hotel.htm

 I absolutely love holiday breakfasts and after we'd filled our boots with homemade breads and preserves, Greek yogurt, honey, eggs and several pots of coffee, we had time to take a turn around the island before the 5pm ferry. So we went to the beach..........

 Then we went to Ithica, home of Homer................

 and the most beautiful, crystal clear, jade green sea.........

Greece doesn't really open till May so we were the only tourists in the village and on the island. We ate delicious food......

picked lemons from the tree............

for sun downers on the terrace........

ate more delicious food.......

and went back to the beach.

Top tip:go to Greece..........