.Marcus arrived early today, at our request - off to Canterbury, Sandwich and Leeds Castle. After some polite, non-controversial pleasantries the Phase II of the English history challenge began again in earnest! A little drippy today - nothing too serious. Drive through Kent very nice. Marcus had in mind a new place to park near the cathedral right along the city's Roman wall rebuilt in the 14th century. Short walk to the cathedral through the town -wonderful! Layers of history - 1,400 years more or less. Stt. Augustine, Chaucer...Tom claimed that the stain on the floor was really from Thomas Becket's blood but Marcus and I were skeptical. On to Sandwich to see the Hunt Gallery owned by Winterthur licensees Rosemary and Michael Hunt and Michael's paintings of Winterthur - 112 paintings done to date moving toward a goal of 175...the gallery is on a narrow little street that contains the longest row of half-timber houses in England- the Hunt Gallery dates to 1297!!! We arrive - no English reserve - lots of hugs and, to my astonishment they have rehung the entire gallery with all Winterthur (one room reserved for Wynkoop House owned by Gary Tinterro, MMA curator)!!!! Absolutely stunning to see these in person - seriously stunning. Rosemary and her son Philip show me the rest of the paintings for which there was no room on the walls! I took photos but they could not possibly do the display justice or the individual paintings justice. What a treat! Leeds next...love at first sight! Lunch first on the terrace of their lovely restaurant. Beautiful day, gorgeous views but I am sensing a prescnce..HF had to have visited there. So many similarities - colors, arrangements, room proportions, accessories - delighful. A walk back through the garden. Spring in England! Back to London...many thanks to Marcus!
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