The happy hunter, Bescherelles, Northern France

In my fire, a thick litchened log starting to ignite. The aged iron fireplate depicting a happy hunter. A small dog yaps happily behind him , the happy hunter raises his hat in greeting. But his freind has been lost beneath the thick black layers.

Studio Procter, 11eme

Shooting tulips for bloom magazine, quite relaxing

Fermette, Becherelles northern France

Bought a fermette# today in the peaceful countryside close to Provins, Northern France.
The garden is grand with many different trees.
I can't quite believe this is true.
So many possibilities.
So many rooms for friends,
Sometimes life is sweet.

#Fermette is a mini french farm

Marc the Tapiseur, 11eme

From my window in the half light I can see Marc making things.
I find this very reassuring.
He is lucky to have a craft that has not changed for a century.
In his atelier he may show you the tools that were used by his father and grandfather and now him.
Their are are piles of papers upon half finished chairs that have not been disturbed for 30 years. 
He has neither internet or mobile phone. He is a walking archive of all that is here.

I ask him why he does not sell some of the truly wondrous antiques that litter his atelier.
He is shocked "to be the one that let an object part from the family. The shame!"

The Gore Hotel, drawing room, London

Discovered the drawing room for guests of the hotel.
Paintings of kings, deep sofas and a roaring hearth.
Quiet possibly the perfect English winter room.
The atmosphere is so perfectly intimate that no one else dares to join you. (unless they are American)
Might stay here until spring.

Albert Memorial, dusk queensgate london

Bear driving, Rue Alphonse BAUDIN, 11eme

Mark my words, This Is what 2011 will be all about , bears wearing hats driving chickens. (and perhaps various other animals)