Tour of Canada House, Trafalgar Square

Last Friday,  several of the 'Drawing Tuesday'  group met for a tour of Canada House (home of the High Commission to  GB) .  We even met very briefly , the High Commissioner herself. It was refurbished a couple of years ago and someone  who'd been  on a previous tour said the artworks were  fantastic - they were right!  The 'chandalier' light descending through the staircase  was  wonderful .

 Each conference/meeting room is either named after a Prime Minister or a province/ territory.  We started off in British Columbia ( where Ian was born  although the rest of the Canadian  side of his family are from Manitoba )   with  carpet  based on  Haida artwork :  29  bespoke carpets  were commissioned  in total! 

 So many artworks on display ( including an Emily Carr painting)  and I particularly like how local wood were  used for the tables  etc). I had a look round the art gallery  before the tour , enjoying the mark-making and colour of  the exhibition  by Andrew Salgado .

We finished  off on the roof garden with stunning views of Nelson's column and beyond. I've a soft spot for views through balustrades ( like the ones at Rydal where I'm off on retreat next week )    and liked how it framed the current  4th plinth piece.

Choir practice tonight then off to Nottingham in the morning  for  the wedding of Ian's goddaughter.  I've packed for that  but have  only Sunday  to finish ( or rather start!)  my packing for Rydal. How come a relaxing retreat involves so much stress and decision making??!!  And now have to take into account Storm Doris.