AZALIAS IN THE SUN

The 1920's tennis hut, filled with mowers, rakes and hoes

W E D N E S D A Y,  1 0  M A Y

Marvellous weather for Tig's birthday. At lunch time us four went to the Cabbage Patch and sunbathed. I didn't wear my summer dress (I've still got to take it up) so I pulled my jumper up and pushed my skirt down and got my tummy brown. I told them about when Dutronc came up and asked me (on April 5th) if I was OK to go dancing, and Susie said, "do you love that boy if you're going out with him?"! (It was lucky Dutronc didn't hear.)

Changed when got home - Granny, Grandpa and Mrs Gribbin were there. She's very nice; I showed her my Greek Architecture project. Had tea on the terrace and Granny said I looked thinner. I can't understand it - Anya's dad and Tig said that too. I think it's when I wear bunches.

Took them around the 'estate'! The tennis court has now got a layer of black tarry stuff on top. The garden is so beautiful, the azaleas and the rhododendrons, and all the wild flowers in the woody parts, the bluebells especially. I don't think I fully realise how wonderful it is to have this garden. It’s difficult to appreciate what one has, until it's gone.

On '24 Hours' they had something about the Sydney Opera House. It was originally going to cost £3.5m, and it's now going to cost £30m. There isn't even adequate space inside, the stages are not big enough, only two lavatories in the whole place, and no carpark. And on top of that, it may be exciting but it's UGLY. Daddy thinks it's the biggest architectural mistake of the century.

“The Sydney Opera House”

Work in progress: 1967. Completed in 1973.

Daddy would say that. He didn’t win, and Jørn Utzon did. But he got third prize.

In 1957, Utzon’s sail-like sketches of the Sydney Opera House won him first prize. Flying in the face of convention, the opera house is now considered (rightly) one of the iconic buildings of the 20th century. It is a World Heritage Site. However, Utzon’s original design turned out to be unrealizable. The building was completed 16 years later, 1457% over budget and at a cost of £51m.