A number of my more perspicacious readers — not to say more suspicious ones — were quick to ask me, in respect of last week’s column, what I was doing loitering around the lavatories at the M40 services at Wheatley while supposedly on my way ‘home’ from rock star Alex James’s farm at Kingham.

The truth is I wasn’t going home at all but to the private view of The Summer Collection at the Dadbrook Gallery. This occupies various rooms and some of the garden at my friend Clico Kingsbury’s lovely home at Cuddington, near Thame.

Among items on show this year is a life-size door made of solid glass produced by emerging artist Lorna Giezot.

Lorna has never undertaken a work of this size before. She says: “Doors represent a spectrum of emotions depending on how they are presented. There are notions of prevention and ‘the unknown’ when closed, but also of opportunity, adventure and the future.”

The door has been cast in glass and is a triumph of engineering as well as a faithful interpretation of Lorna’s vision.

Among other artists showing are Qu Lei Lei, who has just sold two works at Bonhams, Hong Kong, for record sums, and his wife, Caroline Deane, with her work as resident artist with English National Ballet. Ivan Green, well known for his revolutionary print-making techniques, gives a new angle on familiar landmarks and the young illustrator Rachel Lovatt shows quirky collages and brilliant, elegant 3D animals in copper wire and lace.

Pots and hanging baskets are also available, filled with home nurtured and unusual plants.

Till Sunday, 10am-5pm.