On to London, Chihuly at Kew
Sep. 12th, 2005 09:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rowanf9/12 - 9:10pm UT
This morning I took the bus to Bournmouth and the train to London arriving about 1:30 at the flat. Russell arrived sometime thereafter being stuck on the Tube somewhere. The flat is quite spacious and the bed is comfortable. Bliss! He proposed that we head out to Kew to see the Chihuly glass sculptures since it was a sunny day and the sky was blue. It is true that people may not believe the skies in some of his pictures... blue with fluffy cumulus is not how we think of English weather.
We eventually got out there and first went to the Palm House which mostly had outside glass at its entrance and in the pond. There was supposed to be a "star" inside but we did not find it. We went on to the Temperate House where the main exhibit is and it was really quite fun. The organic shapes of the glass echoes and highlights the shapes of the planets they "grow" amongst. I am fonder of art that is symbolic and meaningful, but this installation did bring on expressions of "oh, pretty!" and "how cool is that?". It is on a scale that needs something like a Victorian conservatory to hold it. Viewing it as we did in the late afternoon meant we got some really beautiful slanting light illuminating different bits quite beautifully. On the other hand they started closing things down at 5:30 so we were a bit rushed in getting through everything. I am really glad we went for the light through. If it gets all grey again it won't be anything as nice.
We got home and ate and I did laundry. There is no dryer so I don't actually know if I'll have dry clothes tomorrow. I can wear my new gypsy skirt and dance tshirt if I have to. I shall try *very* hard not to let it be an excuse to wander High St. Kensington looking in all the clothes shops. Really. This has been a very expensive vacation. *grumble* In fact, in addition to the exchange rate and extra hotel rooms and jet jewelry, the latest is that I left my brand new umbrella that I bought in Toronto in June that hasn't even been opened up for rain in the wardrobe of the B&B in Swanage. I asked her to check for me to see how much it would cost to put it in a mailing tube and post it home. I am very picky with umbrellas (they have to sling across the back) and this one is brand new! But I'm kicking myself for leaving things in closets. I never did get any help from UNLV about the ritual gear I left at NAIN. The beautiful Plant Print dress that was made for me with plants for wisdom and eloquence will be particularly missed. I'll need to get new Interfaith ritual garb at some point. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket. *grin*
This morning I took the bus to Bournmouth and the train to London arriving about 1:30 at the flat. Russell arrived sometime thereafter being stuck on the Tube somewhere. The flat is quite spacious and the bed is comfortable. Bliss! He proposed that we head out to Kew to see the Chihuly glass sculptures since it was a sunny day and the sky was blue. It is true that people may not believe the skies in some of his pictures... blue with fluffy cumulus is not how we think of English weather.
We eventually got out there and first went to the Palm House which mostly had outside glass at its entrance and in the pond. There was supposed to be a "star" inside but we did not find it. We went on to the Temperate House where the main exhibit is and it was really quite fun. The organic shapes of the glass echoes and highlights the shapes of the planets they "grow" amongst. I am fonder of art that is symbolic and meaningful, but this installation did bring on expressions of "oh, pretty!" and "how cool is that?". It is on a scale that needs something like a Victorian conservatory to hold it. Viewing it as we did in the late afternoon meant we got some really beautiful slanting light illuminating different bits quite beautifully. On the other hand they started closing things down at 5:30 so we were a bit rushed in getting through everything. I am really glad we went for the light through. If it gets all grey again it won't be anything as nice.
We got home and ate and I did laundry. There is no dryer so I don't actually know if I'll have dry clothes tomorrow. I can wear my new gypsy skirt and dance tshirt if I have to. I shall try *very* hard not to let it be an excuse to wander High St. Kensington looking in all the clothes shops. Really. This has been a very expensive vacation. *grumble* In fact, in addition to the exchange rate and extra hotel rooms and jet jewelry, the latest is that I left my brand new umbrella that I bought in Toronto in June that hasn't even been opened up for rain in the wardrobe of the B&B in Swanage. I asked her to check for me to see how much it would cost to put it in a mailing tube and post it home. I am very picky with umbrellas (they have to sling across the back) and this one is brand new! But I'm kicking myself for leaving things in closets. I never did get any help from UNLV about the ritual gear I left at NAIN. The beautiful Plant Print dress that was made for me with plants for wisdom and eloquence will be particularly missed. I'll need to get new Interfaith ritual garb at some point. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket. *grin*
