One day in London town, five or six exhibits, a
journey down memory lane …. by the end a whirring brain … worse a shattered
body – my feeeeeetttttt, shinnie shin shins, hips – hips – hips – smoothly clickety
click - they still work I’m pleased to say ….
 |
| Quizzical early me |
You know … quizzy me … I suddenly thought I’d
better get up to town and do, what I wanted to do … quick in and out visits
with a strange mix of 7+ subjects …
 |
| 5 Carlos Place - the fashion house |
First: Antiquarian scientific illustrations, together with natural history prints and maps – in a fashion house;
 |
| Emily Young's sculpture 'Rudra' - a Rigvedic deity equated to Lord Shiva, associated with wind, or storm and the hunt - one of the statues found outside Tate Modern |
Third: into the Tate Modern for the first part of Steve
McQueen’s work spanning film, photography and sculpture (12 Years a Slave);
 |
| part of 1841 "Map of Kensington" The Hippodrome is lightly coloured; the streets where I lived had followed the contours of the race course |
Fourth: up to Notting Hill for a nostalgic walk past
my old flat, and …
Fifth: on to an art exhibition at the west of the
Hippodrome – the race course that ultimately became north and west Notting Hill;
 |
| Poster for the film:' 12 Years a Slave' |
Sixth: on to Tate Britain, where Steve McQueen has the
second part of his exhibition about Year Three (aged 7/8) pupils in London;
Seventh: last but not least … to the Saatchi Gallery
to see the Tutankhamun exhibition … I missed the 1972 one – long queues I seem
to recollect which are just not my scene – thankfully nearly fifty years on I’m
still here and it’s come back!
 |
| Brochure for the Tutankhamun exhibition |
There’ll be a few of these … not sure how many – depends how carried away I get writing them … the history of the Hippodrome area could easily stretch to an A - Z …
 |
| I was completely exhausted ... |
Well … this is a start of some postings – and should see us through to the end of August or perhaps even (probably) September.
It was a very
long feet day … lots of walking … 9.30 morning train to Victoria arriving 11.00;
11.30 I get to the fashion house … at 4.30 was my timed entrance at the Saatchi
Gallery – it closed at six. Giving me
time – just – to drag my aching body to Victoria and my 7.15 evening train home …  |
| August's prompt 'Long Shadow' |
The quizzing blogger had had her chips that day … was
I glad to get home – the next day I don’t think I moved!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
40 comments:
ooohhhh you got into the Saatchi Gallery!!! I would love to see the collection of King Tutankhamun's treasures, even if we have to wait for the pandemic to be sorted.
Are you saying you went to all those exhibits in one day? Oh my - no wonder your feet hurt - mine would have too.
You are so lucky to live where you are and be able to see all those magnificent things - all that art and history.
I am nicely jealous.
Sandie
Looking forward to the rest of the postings!
Wow, that really was a long trek! I do that thing too where I walk past my old flat. It used to have a sea view, but after we moved (many years ago) they built flats. I'm glad I didn't stay there to witness my view being obscured.
That all sounds very interesting - as well as exhausting. Looking forward to hearing more.
Oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my.
I can completely understand your exhaustion. And what drove you.
Looking forward to hearing more (in the fullness of time).
Stay safe, stay well.
My word, Hilary, I am exhausted just reading about it. Only a mind as nimble as yours could take all this in in one day! Well done on all fronts, not the least for having the strength, both and mental and physical to tackle this marathon, but for letting us all share in your wonderful day. I think you have earned a pedicure!
That sounds completely exhausting!
All that in one day?! You made me miss London a bit, but I know I would not be able to walk around like that any longer.
Wow, that sounds like a very busy day.
Hari OM
...crikey... all I can think of is just getting from one end of the day to the other. All that would just about finish me off. But what a way to go!!! YAM xx
Adorable picture of "early you"! And that's a LOT of walking around. But sounds so fun. :)
London is an amazing city to visit, but it is always exhausting!
I love spending a day in London and do it often, but I've never attempted to pack that much into one visit! Can't wait for things to return to normal as I'm in need of a city-fix!
@ Hels – yes – it was an amazing exhibition … so rich with examples of Tut’s time … must have been mind-boggling to have found in the tomb and seen this glory. Sadly I don’t think they are going to let the treasures travel again – albeit we had some replicas … but there is a brilliant little film that I’ll include when I do the write up … later I’m afraid.
@ Sandie – yes … I knew I just needed to look in and see what they were about – to get an idea and a better understanding … one can learn so much … it’s the outline of that particular puzzle. I do enjoy living here with all the history of art and buildings around me.
@ John – thanks … they’re on their way … ie being written and thought about …
@ Annalisa – it was a long trek … even using the tube I’m not sure one saves much – time, yes - but feet: no! Buses would help, but too slow with the traffic. Having looked into the history of the Hippodrome area I’ve found out some interesting things. I’d be really angry if my sea view had been blocked … but at least you’d moved by then.
@ John – very interesting and very tiring!
@ EC – I’ve been saying just that since I got back earlier this year … it was shattering! But I was so pleased I fitted them all in … not doing justice to a few – but still worth getting that basic understanding.
@ David – I know … I was exhausted writing this post … but things I wanted to do and see … so I made the effort – it was the physical strength that nearly floored me … but I’ve learnt lots through those visits and since. Thanks a pedicure would have been bliss … but I don’t think I could have got there!
@ Inger – yes … all in one day. I do things fairly quickly and take in what I can … and get some reference notes that I can refer back to – always helps and will do here. I do it occasionally … when I’ll get back up to town is another matter.
@ Liz – it was extremely busy …
@ Yam – ‘crikey’ is a good word – wonderful … my mother would have loved that. When I was in the caring mode you’re in now – all I ever wanted to do was get to the end of the day – so know how you’re feeling and am feeling for you – take care.
@ Elizabeth – thanks re the pic … my mother had put together a book of photos of my life for my 50th (back in the day)… so these were there.
@ Ian – yes London has so much to offer and is always wonderful to visit … it’s the travelling up and down that’s exhausting – but at least Eastbourne is near enough (just!).
@ Keith – normally I wouldn’t do this much – but I can achieve much more if I’m on my own – with a set mind of what and where I want to go.
I know it’ll be lovely to feel the desire to get back on a train to visit the great city once again …
Thanks for all your comments and enthusiasm for the posts to come … take care and stay safe - Hilary
An extremely busy day but sounds wonderful, looking forward to learning more. Stay safe and take care.
That's why a chaise lounge is required - after a lovely walking day, one must rest one's bones and brain. That sounds like a dream day - I would have loved to join you on everything, plus some fish and chips. Divine! I look forward to reading the expanded versions of everything. (And you as such a pretty little girl with the inquiring mind - fabulous)
I'm exhausted just reading about it! It sounds like when I visit NYC. I love that you went to your old flat. I do that when I visit Long Island. Although sometimes I'm saddened by the changes they've made to it.
Click link below for my new domain. Warmly,
Elsie
That's an itinerary sure to deserve a good nap afterwards. So many great stops, Hilary. I relate to the 'exhausted' picture at the end.
My goodness, what stamina you have, Hilary. No wonder you were exhausted! What was the Steve McQueen exhibition actually about! Or will you be blogging about each of these? Hope you’re keeping well, Hilary!
Now that's a day out! You don't seem to waste a minute of everyday of your life. I think that's wonderful.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s anxiously adroit Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
@ Mason – looking back it was wonderful … and I’m enjoying thinking about it now, reading up etc … not the legs, but the brain really enjoyed it.
@ Joanne – I agree – a chaise lounge, a pool and a pink flamingo – would suit me perfectly then and now! There wasn’t time for fish and chips – I think I took a picnic with me … expanded reading coming up … I’m looking forward to writing all the posts up. Thanks re my early quizzy pic … thank you to my Ma for adding it in to the photos she left for me.
@ Elsie – I’m exhausted thinking about it … and today I’m feeling weary for some reason: strange but true! Going past my old neck of the woods was an interesting time … I need to spend a bit more time back there … I can’t see any obvious changes – except the area has definitely improved.
@ Jacqui – I definitely needed more than a nap – at one point I wondered if I’d get back down here … thank you re the nod to my ‘exhaustion’ pic …
@ Val – it was sheer determination … mind over feet – and I was exhausted. I’ll be blogging about each of these exhibits – possibly joining the two Steve McQueen ones together …
@ Bazza – yes it was a day out – and finished me off for a while! I do what I can when I can … being single and able to make decisions always helps … thank you – I guess I act younger than my age – while my brain is definitely in learning mode.
Thanks so much for being here all of you – I really appreciate your comments and thoughts … take care of your family and friends and stay safe - Hilary
Oh how I liked this post, I woukld like to visit London but not going to hapen
Wow! That's one BIG, impressive day. No wonder you didn't want to move the next day -- I wouldn't have moved either!
I look forward to reading more.
That was a long day, but well worth it. Not sure I could do it.
Teresa
What a wondrous journey! Jealous as I sit and look out on the world fearing human contact. Oh, what times we are in now. memories are all we really have, that and a vivid imagination!
Hi Jo-Anne - thank you ... I'm so pleased you enjoyed this introduction to a few posts; yes I'm sorry that you won't be able to get over here to see us ...
@ Donna - yes ... I was very tired ... every joint ached - including the brain! Tarmac is not kind on the feet or body. Thanks so pleased you're happy to read more ...
@ Teresa - I certainly wouldn't do it that often ... and very possibly not again - we'll see ...
@ Yolanda - yes it was I think the last journey I made before lockdown - I was tempted to go to other places (make other visits) ... but it was winter and then things got troubling ...
Thanks so much for your lovely comments I always enjoying seeing all my commenters here ... stay safe - Hilary
There are some wonderful things to see in London, but I don't enjoy it as a place – too busy, noisy and crowded for me to relax.
Not only are the long queues exhausting but then you get inside and can't see a dingin' thing through the press of humanity around you... A Picasso exhibit at the Hayward Gallery taught me I am claustrophobic in crowds and I am now a lot more particular as to what I'll queue for!
More often, I'm just as happy to read the reports of others! :-D
No wonder your tootsies are tired, you got a lot packed into a day.
Hope your feet are up, you're reading a good book or watching a good movie, with a glass of chilled wine at your elbow.
Stay safe. Be healthy.
You did all this in a “daylight” day? It sounds to me as it would have taken the full 24 hours. It sounds wonderful though. How I’d love to be able to go out to any art museum, or garden, or anywhere for that matter. Just taking a ride on a train sounds good to. In Nashville there is a former grand rail station that has been transformed into a hotel, because no trains come here any more.
That would have been a full day when I was young. Now? I could never do it, I don't think - respect to you! I was going to wait to do some stuff until next year, which became this year, which became what we now call "the lost year". We took those days for granted, years where we could put something off until "next year". It's nice to relive those memories of the things we did do. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
Hi Hilary - A very nice of you, there.
You have covered quite a variety of subjects.
Good read.
That sounds like a *brilliant* day. i'm all for whirlwind tours, i never want to miss anything, and all of those exhibits sound fascinating, especially the Egypt one and the antiquarian scientific illustrations. If you're ever in Montreal, you should visit the Osler Library!
Wish I could have done it with you :-)
Love that pic of you, Hilary. You were and are such a cutie.
Stay safe. Be healthy.
Goodness gracious me, you did all that in one day? A surfeit of events and impressions, I don’t think I could have taken it all in.
A lovely hark back to the days when to there was nothing unusual in taking a trip to London! May they return we all be able to travel as freely and as risk free, soon. Meanwhile, reading about your jaunts in times gone by, pre-lockdown, is a tonic, Hilary. X
@ Patsy – yes there’s so much to see, learn about and appreciate in London … but I agree – I do what I can to skirt around the things I’m not happy with …
@ Jz – yes I agree … one isn’t always able to take ‘the import of the exhibits in’ … that’s why I often have other information to refer to and go by myself … I went to a Turner one in the last few years … and that was so difficult, as too a Blake one I went to last year … I hate queues and people in crowds!
Great you’ll enjoy my coming posts I hope …
@ Sandra – yes my feet, legs, hips et al were very sore and tired. I just wanted to dash around mostly – suits me and then I can mull over what I’ve seen … and thanks for my littlie picture … quite sweet (then at least!) …
@ Vagabonde – yes it was a day-light winter day … so pretty gloomy. I should have spent longer in some places – but needs must ... the train and timings and I get weary by the time the evening comes around.
Our trains are an intrinsic part of British life – well perhaps they were and some of our station hotels have been updated to pretty high standards …
@ Alana – it was a full day and I knew I was going to stretch myself … but realised I could do it – if I didn’t hang around too much! I’m glad I went in the circumstances and I had other plans … but I can catch up once this ‘lost year’ is part of history …
@ Pradeep – thanks re my young me! There were a lot of exhibitions to visits … with other subjects that have cropped up since … I’m going to enjoy writing them up.
@ Deniz – it was a “brilliant” but exhausting day – especially with the train journeys book-ending the day. I could have spent longer at Carlos Place with the antiquarian/scientific illustrations, as well as the Tutankhamun one …
Thanks re the nod towards a visit to the McGill Osler Library – I’d love to get to Montreal, and when there … I’ll definitely make a plan for the Osler Library … thanks!
@ Friko – yes it was a long day … but things I wanted to get to – and thought I might not have got to London again … I was thinking of going north of London to friends … but in the event obviously didn’t do that, or go to London for another visit. What will happen in the future – who knows!
@ Deborah – thanks … it’s brought many memories back especially during the re-runs of events in the last 70 or so years …
I do hope we can get back to being able to visit and see places – but these will keep me going for a while.
Thanks so much to you all … I’ve had a blip – but managed to find a way round … so the write ups will start on Monday I think!
Stay safe and take care … and thanks for your visits and comments … Hilary
Interesting that natural history prints and antiquarian scientific illustrations are stored in a fashion house.
Take special care.
Thanks Sandra - that's why I went ... because it seemed an odd place to show some rare illustrations and maps ... just had to visit! Take care - Hilary
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