At the Booth

I don't know if you have ever visited this amazing museum, because if you haven't, then you surely should. The Booth Museum in Hove, Brighton is a natural history museum of the old school. Founded by Edward Booth in 1874 the museum is all about birds, butterflies, fossils, bones and skeletons. He donated the museum to the city in 1890, and it continues to feature Victorian-style dioramas of British birds in their habitat settings together with a huge collection of insects and other interesting exhibits.

From floor to ceiling, the museum contains glass case after glass case with a bewildering array of birds posing in their natural setting. Although fascinating to see, I am glad that this bird collecting isn't happening now, I don't know how our dwindling wildlife would cope. A little girl of no more than 4 years old, looked perplexed at an interactive display that I was helping her to read, and said very seriously 'It's sad - all these dead animals', bless her!

Walking around looking at all these different species of mainly British birds, it occurred to me that really on a day to day basis we rarely notice but a fraction of these wonderful species.

There was also this little unusual display, a Merboy!

Ben really enjoyed seeing all these Victorian displays, many over 150 years old.

A reproduction of Edward Booth's study

Over half a million specimens and natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum. Specimens have been collected from around the world.

I do like birds eggs, there is something quite special about them. I love looking at collections of eggs in old antique books too. I made a display featuring British birds eggs a while back, which still hangs on the wall in the hall.

I have never seen quite such a display of skeletons in a compact area like this. All sorts of creatures:  human, birds, whales and many other animals.

Ben's new friend Fred!

Handsome chap, isn't he? Nice smile!

There are some spectacularly old specimens such as shells from the bottom of a 55 million year old Mediterranean lagoon, and a collection of dinosaur bones too.

All in all, a nice way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy day. Entrance is free, although a donation is always welcome. There is a small gift shop too. The afternoon ended with a well-deserved hot chocolate in the cafe on the opposite side of the road, before heading back home in the approaching dusk.

The Sunday slow worm!

The slithery slow worm. I am not sure Sam was that impressed!

A sunny Sunday begs to be spent outdoors, and with the very beautiful Ashdown Forest on our doorstep, we headed off for a little wander through the woods. Nearly two thirds of Ashdown Forest's 6500 acres (2500 hectares) are heathland, amounting to 2.5% of the UK's extent of this rare habitat. It also has some really wonderful views over the Sussex countryside.

Even though the height of summer is now over, and most of the wildflowers have long gone, there is another chapter of loveliness in the woods to behold; the fabulous fungi!

Wandering down little meandering paths, we came across many different varieties of fungi fruiting.

Spiders had made incredible webs with droplets of dew which sparkled in the morning sun...

Boy and Zaf in their element!

We were very lucky to spot a slow worm by the side of the path. I haven't seen this legless lizard in a long time. She (I think?) was well camouflaged amongst the leaf litter, and sat there very still, probably hoping to look dead.

BB was a little worried about holding the slow worm, it was cold and so very smooth. He did pick it up and squealed like a girl as it tried to slither off his hands!

As we circled back towards the car park, we continued to see more types of mushrooms, these truly are the autumn flowers of the woodlands.

Zaf did his usual thing of collecting the largest stick to bring home with him, he spent quite a while  dragging it back to the car, whacking us on the back of our knees as he tried to pass on the pathway. Needless to say, I did manage to persuade him to leave it behind...

Homeward bound!

A lovely outing, followed by a bit of gardening in the afternoon sunshine.

Hope your Sunday was sunny too!

Creating my own Kate Tulett art

At the South of England Show this year, in the pouring rain, I stumbled across the very lovely Kate Tulett in one of the craft marquees. Kate is an art teacher, artist and generally a splendidly bonkers lady! I thought her collages were fab, and longed for one of her creations myself, but settled on a one-day textile course held at the school she teaches at in Oxted. But unbeknownst to me, my great hubby sneakily arranged for me to receive one of her aquascapes for my birthday, knowing that I have a particular penchant for all things sea related.



It was done in great haste as we only 'discovered' Kate a week away from my birthday, and the collage was a surprise, so it involved secret emails, and a hand-over on a garage forecourt.
I love my picture, it even has lines from a poem that Steve wrote for me many years ago!

Those who know me are well aware that I am a hoarder as far as fabric, buttons and ephemera go, and I like art which is both textural and three dimensional. So having a go at creating something as fun as one of her pieces was quite a challenge. Letting go, and allowing myself to empty my head of science and bees and such, even for a day, is not always easy. Nature accompanies me where ever I go :o)

And despite being amongst many (many!) children on the course, Kate was patient with all and sundry, no matter what age or temperament. I have done some machine embroidery before so I am reasonably comfortable with a sewing machine, but am always open to new techniques.

We looked at the work of Sophie Standing, a very clever textile artist and Kate explained her techniques, before embarking on our own projects. And although I haven't finished it, I'll show you how far I managed to get today.

First a sketch on muslin, then acrylic paints washed over the canvas

Here's one of Kate's pieces in progress

And two stages of other pieces of Kate's work!

Next the fabric stage, and here the photo of my garden for inspiration

Kate's desk!

My collage beginning to take shape with fabric scraps

Oh, oh! Small people upturning the giant fabric box and hiding amongst the multitude of textures and colours! Great fun!

But, of course, bees are always in my heart, and always part of my garden...

You'll have to wait to see the completed article, as there is more to add to my master-piece. However, I am pretty chuffed at the way it is progressing, and even the din of enthusiastic noise from what seemed like a hall full of halflings didn't deter my enjoyment of the day.

Many thanks to Kate and her two peachy assistants!