We always try and go to Plas Cadnant – a beautiful and immaculately looked-after, large garden open to the public on the hills above Menai Bridge. It maintains strong elements of the picturesque – paths winding down the hill to the river in the valley below with more recent formal planting:-

At this time of year, the banks and hedgerows are full of wild flowers:-

There was wild garlic in the woods today:-

Our first view of the hills after an interval of almost exactly six months:-

There were sheep to greet us:-

And lambs:-

I did a quick giro round Cambridge revisiting old haunts. It was cold, but atmospheric, with tourists eating on King’s Parade.

The Fitzwilliam:-

Through the gates of Peterhouse (the colleges are all closed):-

The Gate of Honour at Caius:-

Trinity Lane:-

King’s Chapel from the backs:-

The Gibbs Building:-

The chapel at Pembroke:-

My first outing from London (work) for nearly four months was a brief excursion to Cambridge to film a discussion about museums with Luke Syson, the Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum. I could not have enjoyed it more – partly the adventure of travelling, being in a museum again, and Luke had read the book very sympathetically, picking up exactly what I thought and felt even where I tried to disguise it. The event is broadcast on Sunday 25th. and I will be sitting on my laptop answering questions:-

https://cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/product/charles-saumarez-smith-spring-21/

We just went on our first expedition to see Rachel Whiteread’s new exhibition at Gagosian – by accident, as it opened. It was a strange experience being back in a gallery. The work is so different – so much less austere, the world exploded, but that is perhaps appropriate for these times:-