durham_rambler | Reading

shewhomust

The latest in an ongoing series of how other people reconsider their shopping:

"I thought I wanted some nice healthy cashew nuts - but now I see those chocolate buttons..."

We've all been there.

shewhomust

By a lucky fluke, I learned about the 'Miniature Worlds' exhibition at the Lang Art Gallery before it closed. Here's an introduction:

Watch on YouTube

I'm always happy to admire Bewick's tailpieces; I enjoy the crazy grandeur of John Martin's massive scenes, and was curious how this would translate to a small scale; and was that really an invitation to meet Tenniel's original Alice? So last Thursday I called in on my way to my reading group (the gallery is conveniently next door to the library).

Verdict in short: there were many good things, not all of them the ones I expected.

( Verdict at length: )

Most of the section devoted to 'Contemporary Considerations' left me completely unmoved. But I did enjoy the selection of Paul Coldwell's miniature Antarctic scenes, including this bronze killer whale threatening some penguins:

Note the thumbprints, a reference to the human impact on the Antarctic landscape, but also a nod the tailpiece in which Bewick carves his own thumbprint across whatever subject might have been planned. Which is where I came in ...

shewhomust

Local councils have a degree of flexibility in the recycling services they offer, and hitherto food waste collection has been optional. Some councils collect food waste, others don't, and Durham doesn't. But legislation is about to come into effect, which will require all councils to collect food waste: I've been thinking this was new legislation, but no, according to the Council officer whose talk we attended on Tuesday, this is something we owe to Rory Stewart, back when he was a junior minister (before he found his career in podcasting).

( Talking rubbish )

tl:dr; version is that it doesn't really matter. We can carry on composting, and although we don't actually use compost, it means that we produce very little food waste. I just wish the County Council wouldn't behave as if I didn't exist. (I blame this less on the political make-up of the council, more on being a unitary authority; but that's another rant.)