It was the 19th Century poet Matthew Arnold that coined the phrase 'dreaming spires' to describe the Oxford skyline. "And that sweet city with her dreaming spires, She needs not June for beauty's heightening." I need very little encouragement to visit Oxford but I've just seen in the Daily Telegraph that the Asmolean, Oxfords 300 year old university museum is reopening having had some rebuilding work; in particular there's a new atrium. You can read about it HERE, then you should plan a visit. It's on my list of things to do when I get shot of this cast on my leg.
I've just had a lovely chat with Susan Schneider owner of Shandell’s of Millerton NY. Shandell's specialise in vintage lighting and are to be found at a restored gas station on Route 22 two hours north of Manhattan in the north of Duchess County. Susan also reclaims industrial artefacts from the 19th & 20th centuries and turns them into lamps; they are, as she says, "Things that make you smile.". I'm certainly going to drop in to see her when I drive up to Hudson to see my great friend Fayal Greene.
Battlesbridge in Essex is a lovely place and so I've no doubts that the Battlesbridge Antiques Centre is worth a visit. There is over 30,000 sq ft of retail space with over 80 dealers so there's probably something to whet your appetite.
It's fingers crossed here in Melrose this morning! It's a lovely morning and weather forecast looks fine, but there is a threat of some showers later. Yesterday when I arrived in Edinburgh and came south to the Borders there was some very heavy rain and it was HOT!
Along with the other Roadshow presenters, which included Mark Hill, we had a tour of Abbotsford, Walter Scott's home. When Scott came to Abbotsford in 1812 the property consisted of a small cottage and farm steading. In 1817-19 Scott erected a new building in the space linking the cottage and steading and this first part of Abbotsford was built by Messers Sanderson & Paterson of Galashiels. It consisted of a conservatory, (subsequently changed by his successors) a dining room, Scott’s first study, and an armoury with bedrooms above and kitchen below. The building extending from the entrance porch to the right, was the second portion to be built in 1822-25 by John & Thomas Smith of Darnick. 
It really is a fabulous place to visit and anyone interested in antiques will enjoy what the house contains; especially if you are also a fab of Scott. The Library has over 9000 volumes, many of them extremely rare and priceless, remains as it was when Scott arranged the books originally. An avid book collector from childhood, Scott’s intense interest in a huge variety of subjects produced an eclectic collection including books on history, travel, literature, folklore, linguistics and law, written in eleven languages. The room also houses many fascinating artifacts and items of furniture.
Do visit if you are ever in the Borders.
