AND FINALLY Find solace in friendship and nature

WITH two visiting friends, I went to the glorious exhibition of Tudor portraits at Bath’s Holburne Museum for the second time. (It is on until May, so do go if you possibly can.)

Quite apart from the magnificent and fascinating portraits of Elizabeth I, Henry VII, Mary Queen of Scots and the rest, so much filled my heart with cheer.

I loved watching three teenage girls pick up one of the helpful laminated sheets explaining the genealogy of the Tudors, then walk back to scrutinise the works with animated conversation.

Then, on the landing (being a friendly old gal who still has an eye!) I got talking to two tall, very good-looking guys in their 20s, both wearing cool clothes and beanies. It turned out they were French, taking a short break in London during their studies in Paris, and had come to Bath specially to see the Holburne Museum.

They asked what else they should see in the city, and I was ready with suggestions (the Roman Baths, of course). We had fun chatting about many things, and in their perfect English they explained how friendly they find London — so much friendlier than Paris.

It was so refreshing to hear such enthusiasm for our country — and to add to their ‘plaisir’ by being (as I quipped in schoolgirl French), ‘comme votre grandmere’. Cue much laughter.

Two days later, with our friends gone, the sun was shining so (my mobility aided by Nordic walking poles) we strolled across our big field, and saw three beautiful deer, two woodpeckers and some ducks.

Birds wheeled high in the sky, catkins trembled in the breeze and our three dogs bounded happily in the rough meadow grass.

I thought happily of our dear friends, of the museum — and then of those portraits of power and suffering. We must always remember that such things will always pass, but friendship, the warmth of people and the glory of nature do endure.

Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Scottish Daily Mail, 20 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6DB or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.