Today we have some friends visiting us for a day of culture! They are coming to Norfolk for the Open Studios event, whereby local artists open their studios and workshops to the general public. It is a great way to pass the day, and to see some remarkable works of art that are being produced right here on our doorstep.
Our friends arrive just before lunchtime, so that’s a great excuse to go to the pub for a drink and a bite to eat. We go to the Gunton Arms, which is owned (at least in part) by Ivor Braka, a millionaire art dealer, and which is known for the many works of art (some of them fairly “unusual”) which adorn the walls. It also serves some very good bar food!
Having satisfied our hunger, we proceed to North Walsham to visit the studio and workshop of Berni Marfleet, who makes some wonderful garden sculptures from scrap metal. Then it’s on to Antingham to visit Wilds Glass, where my wife and I decide we’d like to our hands at making something in fused glass, so I think we will be booking ourselves in on a workshop there in the not too distant future. Our final stop of the day is with Sheila Robinson Art, a friend of ours in Southrepps, where we spend our time sitting and chatting and drinking tea/coffee with Sheila and her husband.
Our friends join us this evening for dinner, which goes down well. By the time they leave our cottage to go to the B&B that they are staying at in Mundesley, the day of activity has caught up with me and I am feeling exhausted – time for bed!