curiouswombat: (Grandma infinitemonkeys)
curiouswombat ([personal profile] curiouswombat) wrote2013-08-12 03:53 pm
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Checking in...

Just checking in, to say that I had an excellent time with some excellent people at Writerconuk in Coventry, and am now having a few days with D-d in London.

We are staying close to the Natural History Museum, in a rather nice hotel. Last night, as I'd just travelled down from Coventry and D-d had been at a wedding on Saturday, flown in on Sunday morning and met up with her friend from uni before coming to the hotel, we ate in the hotel - and were truly stuffed.

This morning we had a light breakfast and then walked over to Kensington Palace - we had free tickets from our hotel - and it was excellent. Apart from the usual exhibits there was a special one of clothes belonging to The Queen, Princess Margaret, and Dead Di. There will be pictures....

D-d decided to explore Kensington Gardens - I decided to spend a little time in the Natural History Museum, especially to see the portrait of Alfred Russell Wallace who is now given his rightful place beside Darwin. But there was almost a 1 hour queue to get in - so I'm afraid I didn't bother!

We are going to have afternoon tea in a few minutes and then pause, briefly, before walking to the Royal Albert Hall to see 2 proms - prom number 39, Holst, Nishat Khan, and Vaughn Williams, and then prom 40 - the Six Music prom, featuring Cerys Matthews, Laura Marling, and The Stranglers.

I'll report back.... but it might not be until Wednesday, as tomorrow's plan looks to be The Churchill Rooms, The Banqueting House (where Charles First was beheaded) - and we are going to the theatre to see Matilde.

[identity profile] pondhopper.livejournal.com 2013-08-12 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I've never seen a queue at the Natural History Museum. Is there some sort of special exhibit going on or is it just summer and tourist city there? But you were next door to the V&A! I love that place more than any other in London.
:)
The Banqueting House is very interesting and they give a good guided tour. Enjoy!

Now you've made me long to be in London again which I will be soon enough.

I'm glad you had a good time at Writerconuk.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2013-08-14 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
I was surprised by the queue - there is a dinosaur exhibition on, but it seemed to also just be a function of it being summer and full of tourists.

I might go to the V&A - but they don't have the recently hung portrait of Alfred Russell Wallace which was what I was going to see at the NHM, as they have finally acknowledged his place alongside Darwin in history, and hung him there in memory as well.

There was a masque at the Banqueting House which was interesting - and I would recommend their undercroft café for coffee and cake!