I have visited Florence on several occasions but every time I was unable to gain access to The Medici Chapel because it was always closed!

​Many places in Italy are closed on a Monday and obviously there might be religious holidays or services when the average tourist is barred.  So, for this trip I was determined to see the subject of what formed a great part of my university degree – with a focus on High Renaissance art and architecture. Therefore, I booked tickets for the Chapel and we turned up bright and breezy at 10am on 4th June… and were blown away!  It is a fabulous building housing amazing sculpture.  If you visit the city you must add it to the ‘to do’ list!

Here's the background:

The Museum of the Cappelle Medicee consists of the funeral chapels of the Medici family at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

The Sagrestia Nuova was commissioned by two Medici Popes, Leo X and Clement VII (formerly Cardinal Giulio de' Medici), and the architecture and sculpture was created by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1519-1534).  The Chapel was commissioned to house the tombs of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano, and those of their heirs Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino and Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, whose death put an end to the Magnificent’s family branch. The funeral monuments were executed by Michelangelo from 1520 to 1534, and completed by Michelangelo's pupils after his departure.  The sculptures include the ideal portraits of the dukes as well as allegorical sculptures…

“The two monumental groups (for the tombs of Lorenzo, duke di Urbino, and Giuliano, duke de Nemours) are each composed of a seated armed figure in a niche with an allegorical figure reclining on either side of the sarcophagus below. The seated figures, representing the two dukes, are not treated as portraits but as types. Lorenzo, whose face is shaded by a helmet, personifies the reflective man; Giuliano, holding the baton of an army commander, portrays the active man. At his feet, recline the figures of "Night" and "Day." "Night," a giantess, is twisting in uneasy slumber; "Day," a Herculean figure, looks wrathfully over his shoulder. Just as imposing but far less violent are the two companion figures reclining between sleep and waking on the sarcophagus of Lorenzo. The male figure is known as "Dusk," and the female figure as "Dawn."
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There is also marble group at the entrance consisting of a "Madonna and Child" and the Medici patron saints Cosmas and Damian. The "Madonna" is a work entirely by Michelangelo's own hand; the saints are the work of pupils after models by the master.

This is copied from Very British Problems on a popular social media site because it is so true!  Those in italics are the comments we made - and we were away less than a week!

​Things British people say at the end of a holiday:

• “I need a holiday to get over the holiday!”
• “I’m looking forward to a proper cup of tea when I get home”
• “I’m going to miss someone cooking me breakfast every day”
• “Can’t wait to sleep in my own bed”
• “Don’t forget to stop off for milk”
• “Hope the cats are alright”​

Myosotis sylvatica (Woodland forget-me-not)

The botanical name comes from the classic Greek word for the genus, muosōtis, from mus- ‘mouse’ +ous, ōt- ‘ear’. The specific epithet sylvatica means “of the forest” or woodland.  So, mouse-eared plant of the woodland. 

As for the common name, it comes from the German Vergiss-mein-nicht and/or from the French ne m’oubliez pas. 

According to German legend, a knight and his lady were strolling along the riverside when the woman spotted a patch of exquisite blue flowers. She asked the knight to pick her a bouquet but as he leaned down, he lost his balance and fell into the river. As he drifted away he called out “forget me not!”.  Ever since, the flower has represented lasting love and remembrance.  

Another German story is that the name was chosen when God was naming flowers; this one was the last, and the flower cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord,” to which God pronounced, “That shall be your name!”

Forget-Me-Nots give a lot and do not ask for much in return – and can survive in reasonable soil with little moisture. As a biennial, they only need a tiny patch of ground to germinate prolifically in late spring, content to grow their roots and develop a small rosette of leaves in the first summer.

From Gloucestershire County Council: 

​Inspired to start composting? Don’t miss the discount!
Gloucestershire residents are able to get £30 off any compost bin on the get composting website. There are many types of composting bins, as there are several different methods of composting to choose from, each with its own unique benefits. 
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There is nothing more satisfying than using your home-made compost to grow your own vegetables and flowers. See recycling in action in your own garden or home!

Check out this link:

The definition of organised is "arranged according to a particular system" and that is something that I have been aiming for, for the past month or so.  If only to keep an 'eye on the prize' as it were.... that is, to get out of winter!  And then suddenly - whoosh - it's been an amazing bright, sunny and warm week or so!  What a difference it makes - not only to one's mood but also to the garden and wildlife.  


The growth within the garden has been stupendous.  A few weeks ago it was case of despairing over the bare, dull, muted and boring look of everything and now you can't move for frothy white blossom - on trees such as plums, cherries, apples and hawthorns (family Rosaceae) or a vibrant riot of golden daffodils and multicoloured tulips, primroses and crocuses.  

Although initially it was a visit tinged with sadness, Paul and I enjoyed a weekend in Salisbury (Wiltshire) recently.   

​Paul’s grandmother died a few months ago – but at the grand old age of 103 years so whilst sad it was to be expected. We completed the official requirements and paperwork and then scattered her ashes near a small town called Wilton, where she had lived for over fifty years.

​The new Cathedral foundation stones were laid on 28 April 1220. The Cathedral’s foundations are only 1.2 metres (4 foot) deep and underneath these there is just gravel and water. There is a specific hole in the Cathedral floor to check the depth of the water.

Salisbury's original Cathedral was built two miles from the current city centre on the site of an iron age hillfort, known as Old Sarum.
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A cathedral and a royal castle were built at Old Sarum following the Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. In 1075 the original Salisbury Cathedral building commenced and was finished in 1091.    However, because of problems with the lack of water and stormy weather at the hillfort, as well as stormy relations between the monks and the army garrison, a new site in the river valley below was chosen and an official Papal Bull was issued agreeing to the move. 

We recently enjoyed five days staying with friends in Konigstein, near Frankfurt.  It seems  to have become a regular place to visit at the really-fed-up end of the winter – also known as February!  It is great for us because the travel itself is easy and – shock horror – this time even getting through security at Birmingham airport was quick.  Also, when ensconced in Konigstein there is no pressure to ‘do’ anything – just let each day unfold.  Naturally that ends up having a good catch-up (including whinging and moaning about the world in general) and having a giggle, as well as mainly eating and drinking!  Depending on the weather we might venture out for a restorative walk, returning via the incredibly fantastic Café Kreiner.  It is an archetypal German café with beautifully presented pastries, cakes and torte – defined as a rich, usually multi-layered, cake that is filled with whipped cream, buttercreams, mousses, jams, or fruit.  It is also the place where the great-and-good of the town meet for afternoon tea – with their handbag pooches clutched underarm or dressed in gaudy ‘coats’ looking bewildered and embarrassed by such frivolous and ridiculous embellishment.  So… if that is the local canine population – can you imagine the get-up of their (usually more mature) owners?!  Konigstein is known to be a fairy wealthy town and I would surmise that the Botox and facelift providers, and beauty spas have a brisk trade!

Anyway, I digress – check out the sweet treats on this website: Konditorei Kreiner | Königstein im Taunus

We did manage a short touristy excursion to a small town called Bad Camberg  which is located in the eastern Taunus in the Goldener Grund (“Golden Ground”) some about 44 km northwest of Frankfurt.  It seems to have a fixation with goats as there were sculptures and artworks of these animals all over the town – however, I don’t know why!  As a spa town its mineral spring waters, fed from the outlying centre of Oberselters, are well known as Selterswasser, translated as “seltzer” in English.
The old town is attractive and steeped in history – with quite a number of elaborately decorated timber-frame houses mainly built between the 15th and 18th centuries…. good for a photo opportunity in between stopping for more refreshments! 

I think we are all agreed that it is good to have something to look forward to?  So with that in mind, at the weekend Paul and I booked and paid for two trips -

• Frankfurt - to see friends at the ​beginning of March
• Florence - 20th wedding anniversary in June.

Originally we were meant to go in 2020 and it was all booked-up but obviously had to cancel because of the international Covid lock-down. So, because I'd already identified a decent hotel, it's been just a case of matching up some flights and pressing the appropriate booking and payment buttons.  

I think that these words by Virginia Woolf should resonate with all of us particularly at this time of the year!
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*Virginia Woolf also wrote in her diary on the 2nd January 1931: 

• Here are my resolutions for the next 3 months; the next lap of the year.
• To have none. Not to be tied.
• To be free & kindly with myself, not goading it to parties: to sit rather privately reading in the studio.
• To stop irritation by the assurance that nothing is worth irritation
• Sometimes to read, sometimes not to read.
• To go out yes – but stay at home in spite of being asked.
• As for clothes, to buy good ones.

 
So, with this sage advice in mind…

I’m always itching to start sowing seeds, but I am trying to be patient!  However, all the professionals intone the benefit of waiting until there is more energy available from the sun in terms of both light and heat.  Without these optimum conditions seeds and seedlings will struggle to germinate and get going.  Actually – that advice could be applied to this particular human-being too!

So, instead, brew a decent cuppa, grab the seed box  and do an inventory of the miracle giving paper-pockets already in your grubby hands…
It’s worth creating a simple crop plan to see what might be for the visionary season ahead, working out rough numbers for each bed to help work out how much trawling of the garden-centre or on-line shop might be required.​