Bruton

After yesterday's dramatic storm we woke to a far more promising early autumn day. We decided not to make the longer drive that a trip to the seaside necessitates but instead to jaunt out to somewhere near at hand. We chose the small town of Bruton in Somerset, stopping at Hauser and Worth for brunch. Kedgeree for me.

 Field mushrooms for Himself.

 Oh, go on then, one cherry sundae....... with two spoons!

The gallery was closed but we had a leisurely stroll around the garden designed by Piet Oudolf.

 Dramatic mass planting and great use made of grasses that gave movement and light to the beds.

 Blanket weed. Now I don't feel so bad about mine!

 Can you see the metal edging to the pool, set to just the same level as the surrounding land? The same metal strip edged the borders throughout the entire garden.

Eye benches in black granite by Louise Bourgeois.

 We shall be returning to see an exhibition of her work at the gallery next month.

The we went into Bruton town and visited the museum. From its windows there is a lovely view of the ancient dovecote on the hill. The building probably began life as part of the Augustinian Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. Pigeonholes were put into the building in the 18th century and the birds were a valuable source of eggs, meat and manure.

We always enjoy small local museums like this one because they give particular and often surprising information and invariably the local people manning the rooms are enthusiastic and engaging. I was surprised and delighted to learn that John Steinbeck and his wife had lived in the town for several months in 1959 while he was working on a retelling of 'Le Morte d'Authur.' Steinbeck was one of my father's favourite authors.

 Another American link was a temporary display of plain black shift dresses worked on as a student project.

 There were examples of a patchwork friendship  and a graffiti dress

 and a plain black shift for visitors to the museum to embellish. It kept this woman very busy!

 Along the High Street we peeped into Hugh Sexey's Hospital,  a 17th century alms house with a Jacobean chapel, now used as sheltered flats for the elderly.

 A lovely, tranquil place.

It was a good day out.