Angels and Stars

Today's image was taken on a short stroll around The Friars (our local Carmelite priory). It's actually part of a seven-panel artwork, using the tempera painting technique, called "History of The Carmelites at Aylesford" by the Polish artist Adam Kossowski (born in Nowy Sacz in 1905).
He arrived in England in 1943 as a refugee from the Soviet labour camps and was invited to join The Guild of Catholic Artists and Craftsmen a year later.
His first major commission in England was from Father Malachy Lynch, the Prior at The Friars, for this artwork. When he began his first large ceramic portrait in 1950 he suggested that "he may not be the man who should do that" to which Father Malachy replied "Adam, I am sure Our Lady has sent you here for that purpose". He would go on to work at The Friars for a further 25 years.
Such a wonderful piece of art.

My brother was feeling a bit glum about the prospect of another week long hard slog of commuting and work, alongside everything else that is going on at the moment, so we decided to treat ourselves to dinner out at our village's restaurant, The Hengist, at the beginning of the week rather than waiting until the end when he would probably be too knackered to enjoy it. We might not be able to afford it for much longer either!
The atmosphere was lovely, the staff very friendly and attentive and the food was absolutely delicious - we both had herb crusted Kentish lamb rump with black olive and sun blushed tomato gratin, asparagus, broad beans and a madeira sauce (I hate the word jus!) washed down with a several glasses of wine. We floated back home on a little cloud of joy!