Xmas evening

An enormous structure is taking shape outside WH Smiths! Going to be a great evening!

Phil on Andrews

I forgot that I did this the first time Andrews closed but just found it while I was looking for something else. It seems even more appropriate now.

Remember, remember

A few photos from last night of fireworks in the skies over Worcester Park. Great evening!

Nonsuch Palace

One of my wistful wishes is that Nonsuch Palace had survives like its counterparts, Hampton Court or Ham Palace. The Guardian is reporting on the auction of an early picture of Nonsuch Palace:

The earliest image of the gilded spires and towers of the lost palace of Henry VIII – so beautiful, costly and grand that it was christened Nonsuch – will be auctioned at Christie's next month with an estimated sale price of up to £1.2m.

The Guardian then gives a brief history of the palace

The palace itself, built at fabulous expense in 1538 near Ewell, in Surrey, to outshine the palaces of Henry's deadly rival, the French king Francois I, lasted barely 150 years. It was torn down in the late 17th century and sold off for building materials to settle the gambling debts of a king's mistress. Some of the stone and timber work survives in later houses.

The watercolour has been in an English private collection for most of the last two centuries, and has been publicly exhibited only twice.

Enough of me wittering on. Go read the whole thing for yourself here.