London Galleries
0600 I had a really restless night. I make a coffee.
0730 I head down for breakfast.
0800 I decide to make today a gallery day. Since most don’t open until 10am I have time to chill and do blog work.
1010 Central line from Tottenham Court Rd to Marble Arch.
1015 Arrive. Short walk to Frameless.
Impressive! The first gallery I enter is probably the coolest. It’s based on the art of the impressionists. The twist is that each painting starts as leaves and patches on the ground. People need to walk through them to disturb them and form the images on the walls. At first only one person seems to have got the idea and I’m a bit too shy to join in. But eventually I give it a go and it’s fun. The other galleries are good but less interactive. The last gallery had a little bit of an infinity mirror thing going which was a little unnerving but cool.
1155 I decide on a late morning tea at the gallery café.
1208 I head back to Marble Arch station. It’s been raining. The temperature is mild and not so humid.
1212 Central line to Notting Hill Gate.
1218 Arrive.
1226 Circle line to Sloane Square.
1235 Arrive.
1243 Walk to Saatchi gallery. I get. Ticket for the Civilisation exhibition. Amazing images.
1340 I finish the exhibition and walk through the shop. I was hoping for a smallish guide book but the only one is a full catalogue that is way too heavy to add to my luggage. What a shame.
It’s drizzling now. I should have brought my umbrella.
I decide to make my way to Tate Modern.
1343 Back to Sloane Square.
1352 District line to Blackfriars.
1401 Arrive.
1410 I walk to Tate Modern as the drizzle increases. I get there a little soggy but not too bad.
I get a ticket for the Capturing the Moment exhibition. Interesting and there are a couple of images that I like. In particular, a monochrome image of a sea horizon. Simple but powerful.
1500 I’m feeling hungry now but this place is very busy. I might go to the gallery shop then try and find some food elsewhere. In the shop I buy a set of “colours of London” coasters.
1330 I look in the gallery café but nothing interests me. I’ll start my way back to the hotel and find something on the way. It’s stopped raining. There’s an outdoor café/bar by the gallery that does pizza so I go for that and some cider. Fennel sausage. Ends up being bigger than I’d expected but in the end was just right but I’m full now.
The temperature is OK now but the rain has made it a bit humid. Still, it’s nice just hanging out here and watching the people go by. Might get another cider.
1630 There’s some blue sky poking though. And it gets warmer. I was going to find a direct route back to the hotel but I decide to wander along South Bank and take in the atmosphere instead. Lots of people and activity. Nice.
1700 I start to make my way back. Crossing the bridge to Embankment I get a little emotional at the iconic views of the city. I feel so happy that they are now so familiar. I wish I could see them more often.
1714 Northern line from embankment to Tottenham Court Rd.
1720 Arrive. So busy and so hot!
1730 I’m back at the hotel. There is a part of me that is saying “you’re in London, why are you going back to the hotel?” But then I realise I’ve had a really fun and full day. Lots of walking and thinking and feeling. And now I’m pooped. It’s OK to want to chill. And after that late and large pizza I don’t need dinner.
Shower and into my PJs. A quiet night with some TV and early to bed I think.