The varnishing day at the RA is quite an event! Starting with a procession down Piccadilly to St James's Church for the artist's service followed by a champagne reception and finger lunch. Although the traditional reason for the day was not forgotten, (there were ample tall stepladders in every room) I did not actually observe any varnishing being done! It was wonderful to see all the other artists, many of whose work I have admired over the years. Exhibits ranged from the "little gems" in the Weston Room to the enormous Hockney photographs and a fantastic King Kong sculpture made entirely from coathangers! As always the highlights for me were the wonderful Ken Howard studio interiors!