Royalty, Musicians and Artists

 

I had a game plan for today and Mr. B sorted out the tube details.  First stop Kensington Palace Gardens.  I knew they were having a special White Garden display in honor of Princess Diana. Apparently in her 15 years at the Palace, she enjoyed the gardens and often spoke with the gardeners.

 

I love white flowers against a green background.  I think I got that from my mom who also has that same passion! Thanks Mom! The gardeners here were busy adding fresh white Cosmo plants to the walled garden. 

 

Next stop - Abbey Road and the Zebra crosswalk from their Abbey Road album. So many people here and you had to stop traffic to get your shot.  Some people were way into making traffic stop for minutes while they posed their shot but Mr. B and I just took turns crossing the street. Next door is the Abbey Road Studio - where those blue posts are on the left side. 

 

Third stop for the day was Somerset House and the Courtauld Gallery which you might remember that we tried to get in yesterday but were turned away because they were closed for a private function - so they gave us free tickets. 

 

They were having a special Impressionist Show with some very special paintings.  Vincent Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear" from 1889 is above.  I am always so amazed when I see paintings live as they have so much more character and color and vibrancy to them. 

 

Above is Edouard Manet's lovely painting of "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère" c1881-82. I spent a lot of time enjoying this luscious painting.  He signed his name on the wine bottle in the left corner. The glasswork, the crowd in the background and the barmaids detached look all pulled this painting together - as well as the reflection of the barmaid's reflection speaking to the gentleman in the mirror. 

 

And a lovely little Degas of "Two Dancers on the Stage".  Fun day!

Word of the Day - lift = elevator 

It's Just Like Magic

....and we are in London!  Planes are an amazing contraption as they can bring you to an entirely different reality.  Everyone who knows me knows I hate, hate, hate to fly.  But it's so worth the fear & panic when you arrive safely at your destination!  

A whole new world opens up right before your very eyes.  

 

 

Leaving beautiful San Francisco behind on Monday night. 

 P

Circling the Thames & the London Eye!

 

From Heathrow we took the Heathrow Express train into London and arrived at Paddington Station.  From there we bumped around with our suitcases several blocks to our hotel nearby. 

 

After resting my tired toes and Mr. B's power nap, we decided to head over to Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens which really reinvigorated both of us.  Just people watching and being out in the fresh air and enjoying nature.  There were Cotton tail rabbits, Magpies, White Swans, Red Ringed Parrots, Doves, Ducks & loads of squirrels - some formal gardens and acres of open space for joggers, sun bathers & picnicking.  

 

 

The gardens in London are just lovely and are about on the same time schedule as mine at home. 

 

Here is a shot of a large sculpture framing Kensington Palace way, way in the background.  But what I really wanted to see was this lovely little statue of Peter Pan below.

 

The creator of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, commissioned Sir George Frampton to build the Peter Pan statue in 1902. It was erected in Kensington Gardens in 1912.

Tomorrow we take he train to Bath....see you then!