Study Day Trip

We had to make a quick getaway from the coast as Marjorie was picking me up for our WEA study trip to Wallington Hall. The frescoes were done by William Bell Scott, who was head of the art school in Newcastle, and a friend of Rossetti. (#3 daughter actually lived in his house, now flats, in Newcastle. We were very excited by the blue plaque on the wall.). They depict Border history. My favourite was The Spur in the Dish, which the lady of the house brings to the table to show the chief that the larder is bare so he needs to get off reiving. He looks a bit apprehensive but she seems quite turned on. The panels of flowers between the historical depictions seemed incongruous. Some were painted by Pauline Trevelyn, wife of the owner of Wallington, though one less lurid one is by Ruskin.

Though sunny, it was quite cool today. It feels more autumnal. I'm off to pack. We have another little jaunt coming up.