We set off for The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena – like the Getty, another endowment by a rich American, this time old Henry H made his money not from oil, but from building a network of trams in LA. Big fortune = Big collection. He loved his books and his art, so we got to see the Gutenberg Bible (1455), a copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (which brought back such very happy memories of A Level English – just kidding) plus a huge number of excellent European paintings. Gainsbsborogh, Turner, Canaletto, Constable. Henry and his wife Arabella (good name) certainly knew how to spend.
The gardens were quite something too, although it was extremely hot (probably mid-30’s or even higher in full sun). We asked one of the Huntington gardeners to take our daily pic. He had very little English, and we therefore all look a bit worried, but he was a good sport.
So far my experience of asking about gluten free food has been very simple and everyone knows what they are talking about. The exception was at the Huntington cafe though where I asked a question (as is the Coeliac’s habit) and got the reply, “Nothing here is gluten free”. I was too taken aback to point out that the measly fruit cup I had chosen was no doubt gf and also that he shouldn’t sound so goddam proud of his non-gf-cafe. All ended well, and California is well ahead of the game on the gluten issue for which me and my villi are extremely grateful.
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| Day 9 |
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| Gardener who took daily pic |
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| The Bees |
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