Westminster

Saturday and the city was filled with tourists so “I unsheathed my bowie knife and cut a path through this wall of human flesh…dragging my canoe behind me” WC Fields to get through the thong(of which I was one).  Getting into see the Palace of Westminster, what is more commonly know as the British Parliament building was out of the question and photos can’t be taken in Westminster Abby so outside shots only.

Today took me to Tate Britain where, unlike the Tate Modern, I saw things that were more of what I call ‘art’.  Along the way I saw this obviously very hardy palm outside of Lambeth Bridge.

 

What grows year ’round in the UK amazes me on a very regular basis.  Remember the first time I went to Plockton, was not for the Inn but to see palm trees so far of Moscow. Well, Anita did tell me to be there for music sessions Thursdays  and for that I am ever grateful.  And for Trudge Euphoria.

 

 

Atlantic Drift, Gulf Stream whatever, on this trip I frequently thought of an American  couple I met in Scotland years ago.  The woman turns to her husband whilst in a garden, which one I can’t recall, and says “I love how green it is here but I wish it wouldn’t rain so often!”.  It’s more than the rain that gives the green, the rain seems to come more frequently though less heavily than say, Boston, but it never gets anywhere near as hot or as cold so things aren’t exposed to severe weather shock. Interesting fact: on any given year historically (I use that word as we have no idea how climate change will effect either ) Glasgow and Boston have basically the same amount of rain/ year 44″ but then one has to factor in the annual Boston snowfall of the exact same amount. Remember that when you think of “Wet Britain”!

 

Anyway I was going to Tate Britain as we all must have forgotten.  Farther than I should have walked, but it was misty but neither cold or rainy and I always prefer walking because that way I can see and hear the people and the shops outside the tourist areas where I naturally spend most of my time. Basically breath the area.

This Tate looked promising.

I really like Joshua Reynolds’ “Master Crewe as Henry VIII. in 1775.  This boyish choice of sitter mocks the somewhat pompous and  more well known original.

G. E. Hicks offered Woman’s Mission: Companion of Manhood 1863 & Comfort of Old Age 1862

William’ “Lady of Shallot” and  Luke Fildes’ “The Doctor” (no Tardis this time)

L

The poet  PB Shelly                              Thornycofts’ “The Kiss” is quite different but just as impressive as Rodin’s

Much, much more to show but if I did, why would you go?  Besides the museum lost power for a while and that made both viewing and photos difficult.  No flash remember.