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You know when you’re having one of those days? When you have to stop and marvel at just how despicable human beings can be? We’ve all had them. That’s one of the things art is for. When you look at someone and you find yourself briefly considering what the consequences would be if you punched them  in the face. That’s what art is for. When you have to deal with one of these sons or daughters of Belial, and you feel your head may explode, plus how EXACTLY do you make napalm anyway? That’s what art is for.Carved Glass by K william LeQuierAA SPLENDEROSA HEADER WINTER 30220430006_big%20tony%20white_main300IMG00245-20130801-1543IMG_0972Caravaggio_-_Cena_in_Emmaus

On those days, get thee to the National Gallery, the V&A, the Tate. If you can’t get away, go online and look at the collections until the urge to have their guts for your garters subsides. Listen to some Mozart, some Haydn, some Bob Marley. That way you’ll stay out of prison. I recommend in no particular order: Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, Haydn’s ‘Surprise’ Symphony, Ruben Blades, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, The Housemartins, Bob Marley. Read some P.G Wodehouse in your lunch hour. To all the artists and artisans out there, who make beautiful things just because they can, a grateful human race salutes you.

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Well, those four days we had in June were a great summer, weren’t they? Two days more than last year, whoop,whoop.If you’re stuck indoors or have just had your barbecue rained off, all is not lost. Even though I’m here indoors, messing with page attributes, I’m as happy as a sandboy. ‘How?’ I hear you ask.’What’s your secret?’ Two words- Louis Prima. A day with Louis in it is a grand day, even with weatherocalypse happening outside. ‘I’m just a gigolo, and everywhere I go, people know the part I’m playing…..’ Louis and the great Keely Smith, pair of geniuses. Here are some lovely pictures of puppies and kittens to cheer you up. Not really, but I really like these. Altogether now ,’ I eat antipasti twice just because she is so nice, Angelina. Angelina, waitress at the pizzeria. Ti voglio bene, Angelina I adore you...’

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Have a glorious weekend.

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So who woulda thunk setting up a website if you’re not a website designer could be so hard? In the long list of things that make me want to throw my computer through the window (it has to be through the glass  for that satisfying double-destruction effect. An open window won’t do), trying to select pictures whose pixellation goes mental the minute I set them up in the Revolution Slider is way up there. If you don’t know what a Revolution Slider, or indeed a pixel is, get on your knees and thank the Lord. A plague on all your houses, recalcitrant photos everywhere.

Upon reflecting that I cannot afford a) a new computer, and b) a new window, I have decided to increase my happiness by looking at pictures that actually make me happy. Hope you like them too.

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Views from the amazing Candie Gardens in Guernsey. This is a perfect oasis in the middle of St. Peter Port. It also features a lovely fish pond full of aquatic plants which clean the water, a rose and lavender garden which has the most incredible scents and a resident family of the cleverest crows I’ve ever seen. I feel I should be on commission from the Guernsey Tourist Board. Highly recommended.

London vs Guernsey

I’ve just been offered a job in Guernsey. Having always sworn that I would never move out of London, unless it’s to go to an even bigger,  more intense city, I find myself re-considering my stance after seeing videos and pictures of the latest tube strike. (photos: Evening Standard, The Guardian)

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I have been comparing that scenario to my evening after work today, larking about in Candie Gardens before strolling back to the hotel.

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Looking at the mayhem going on in London, I can only thank God that I have been away from the lunacy. I truly feel for my fellow commuters. I’m still getting flashbacks from the last series of strikes. If there were any possibility of running AlaraApothecary from Guernsey, I’d be seriously reviewing the situation. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you all. Roll on the weekend.