A Day In Stafford

Had to return to Stafford on Friday to collect work from the Shire Hall gallery. Trains were running OK thankfully. Saw this nice old cinema turned into a pub on my wanderings. Had a walk round the park where the aviary is ( see budgies ) and around the charity shops and market before getting my work and saying "hello" to the woman who runs the place. Managed to get the 12-35 pm train back to Hartford.

Hanley and Stafford

Excellent day out with our old chums Tony and Pene. Went to Hanley to see the Staffordhsire Hoard again and look round the potteries museum. Then to Stafford to see the group show I'm in at the Shire Hall Gallery.

Stafford

Nice day out on the train to Stafford yesterday. Only 35 mins. away from Hartford Station with stops at Winsford and Crewe. Lovely sunny but cold day. Nice park greets you as you leave the station at Stafford, full of interesting shelters and buildings. Some with thatched roofs. An aviary full of exotic birds. A river and little white bridge across to the main shopping area which is mostly pedestrianised. Lugged my 3 collages to the Shire Hall Gallery in the market square where I am showing them in a themed exhibition in January "Landscapes". Interesting building which contains an old court room complete with papier mache jurors and judge etc. My work was taken from me and put in another smaller court for safe keeping. Felt lighter then and able to walk around the town. Went in most of the charity shops. Hazel bought a few things including a tin for pins, thermometer for the summer house, etc. I didn't find anything except some cheap glue in the Pound Shop. Useful for cleaning records. Its amazing how much dirt and crackle is lifted out of the grooves using PVA glue - quite remarkable! Had lunch in a noisy cafe by the market. Egg on toast ( twice) and a cuppa for £7.50. Bargain. Then to the museum to see the rooms of dummies and cavaliers etc. Some old toys too in cabinets. Then home on the 14.35 train.