Last Day and I Try to Do Everything

I did a lot of packing tonight and I need to get some sleep.  So I'll give you a brief overview and throw some pictures at you.

I headed to Paddington to get on the Circle line and head to Parliament and Westminster. I walked around for a bit and took a ton of photos.  Then I walked to Trafalgar Square where I checked out the St. George's Day festivities.  Went into the National Gallery and found some of my favorite paintings, then headed across the street where I *FINALLY* got to visit St. Martin in the Fields and have tea in the crypt there.

Then, to Tower hill where I walked around the Tower of London and walked back and forth across Tower Bridge.  I actually got to see the drawbridge go up and a tall ship went through!  I was pretty tired at this point, but there were a couple of souvenirs I had to pick up, so It was down to Oxford Circus...then Picadilly Circus and a small detour to Carnaby Street in the middle.

Ok, back home tomorrow...

Art and Culture...

Today was a big day...I am freaking tired.  I got up later than I was planning.  I actually woke up at 6am and thought...um...no!  Went back to sleep and woke up at 9.

I did finally get out the door and made my way to the Tate Britain.  Mostly I was going for the Pre-Raphaelites, but there were loads of lovely paintings...

 Here we have Queen Elizabeth I looking all young and shiny

Here is a Cookmaid With Still Life of Vegetables and Fruit

This is Hope by George Frederick Watts and assistants

A photo doesn't do this painting justice.  I just stood there and looked at the detail in the brush strokes for quite some time.  I think Ophelia by Millais is one of my all time favorite paintings.  I took a lot of photos of the Pre-Raphaelite works in the Tate.  Instead of posting them all here, I made an online album of them all.  Just click HERE.  

As a joke for my friend Raine...who will understand this.  A heard of Pre-Raphaelite sheep by William Holman Hunt.

April Love, by Arthur Hughes is a favorite as well.

This painting by Mark Gertler really spoke to me for some reason.

The last time I was here, in 1998,  digital photography wasn't common and I couldn't get a good shot of these Blake watercolors with a film camera.  Soooo much better this time.

This is the view of the Thames from the front of the Tate.  It started to sprinkle by this time and was outright raining for the rest of the day.  I hopped back on the Tube and headed to the British Museum.  

It's late and I'm tired.  Here are photos that I hope to explain later...

Tomorrow, I'll probably head down to the Tower Bridge/Tower of London area and wander around.  Depends on the weather.  Got to pick up a few last things, including a souvenir mug of the Queen's 90th.  wooohooo!!