The Bishop's Palace in Winter

We dropped in this afternoon. It was five degrees, a kind of damp, insidious cold, and there were very few people around.

The lawn from the curtain wall overlooking the moat

This swan has just woken up

They raised the sluice gate to lower the pool for winter maintenance

Afterwards, we repaired to Costa in the town for a hot drink. They now have three kinds of Mocha: mine was a latte.

Rodney Matthews at the Bishop's Palace, Wells

A cold but bright Sunday afternoon and time to use our new membership cards - we're officially "Friends of the Bishop's Palace" in Wells. And they're hosting the famous Rodney Matthews Exhibition. Click on any of the pictures to make them larger.

On the moat: two real ones and a sculpture ...

In the garden: Princess Clare and the Dragon

Clare at the Rodney Matthews Exhibition

"Painting the Roses" - from Alice in Wonderland

A monstrous train

The author with The Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Cauliflower rice, anyone?

My next book to review, but I'm giving away no secrets if I confide that the Mediterranean diet with plenty of beans is pretty central to the narrative.

Clare has advised that this evening's meal was the last ever with any sugar. I look forward with optimism to our healthier future.