A Day in the Smoke,
Friends
and
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The day started early with my daughter’s alarm going off ~ she is back at work but I am still on holiday, so I linger awhile after she leaves with a mug of hot tea and my emails. I am planning to meet Jude (A Trifle Rushed) and Working London Mummy at the V and A for lunch today. It’s the first time we have all met and there is a flurry of texts and messages flying back and forth about times and places to meet.
I walk the mile to the station and am just in time to purchase an off-peak travel card for my journey to and from London with my tube and bus fares included ~ one ticket for all my journeys, what a good deal. London is as busy as ever and St Pancras is full of Eurostar passengers disembarking when I arrive……………I plan to visit John Betjeman but I am side tracked by a new Cath Kidston shop…..
I finally make my way upstairs to the John Betjeman statue, and as ever, I am moved at how animated and lifelike it is……the late Poet Laureate’s statue never fails to move me when I stand next to it. Next stop, South Kensington……..
……and then the V and A. We all meet up at the V and A Café and are astonished with the array of amazing meals on offer…..hot pies and meals, assorted sandwiches, salads, quiches, roulades, fritattas, cakes, scones, wine, beer and hot beverages……the choice and quality was top class and all very reasonably priced too. Two of us plump for the roasted butternut squash, caramelised onion and chilli croustade served with a choice of two salads, whilst one of us picks the spinach roulade with salads. We make our way to the stunning Morris Room white its beautiful stain glass windows and stucco columns….
Before I leave the V and A, I decide to visit the latest Post-modernism exhibition…..Postmodernism: Style and Subversion 1970-1990 (24 September 2011 – 15 January 2012) will be the first in-depth survey of art, design and architecture of the 1970s and 1980s, examining one of the most contentious phenomena in recent art and design history: Postmodernism.Postmodernism challenged the utopian ideal of Modernism favouring bold colours and patterns, historical quotation, wit and a new found freedom in design.
The jury is out for me on what I thought about that exhibition, there were highs and lows for me………………but, a great day was had in the smoke and it was wonderful to meet on-line friends at last. No recipes or food today, but normal service will be resumed tomorrow! See you later…….but before I go, I just wanted to say how wonderful it was to meet Jude and Working London Mummy today ~ two very interesting, charming and delightful people, and just how I imagined them to be after getting to know them through their blogs.
Karen
PS: On my way out I popped into the shop and was captivated with the fabric reindeer………….
….I may just have to have one of those! I also bought some of my Christmas cards from the shop…..
The V&A was always on my list when we lived down in Kent, but sadly we never got there. Seems a pity. Would be far too expensive for us now living as far away as we do. The train fares are ridiculous. xxoo
PS Love the cards!
It's a very long time since I've been ot the V&A, your post has reminded me to remedy that asap!
I want want want a fabric reindeer. Love it. Kate x
Karen, I really enjoyed yesterday it was wonderful to meet you both. Your post sums up a delightful day, wonderfully. See you on Friday . Jude x
Sounds like a perfect day out, look forward to meeting you on Friday myself !! x
I so enjoy "slice of life" posts! And blogger meet ups are indeed so much fun, always nice to have a face and personality to go with the read.
Been over 10 years since I was in London, but very fond memories of V&A. Thanks for nudging my nostalgia
Dave
Sounds like a wonderful time – glad you are enjoying your holiday!
Haven't been to the V&A for years! Looks like you had a great day.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Such lovely pictures Karen!
I loved the Morris room at the V&A and the assortment of food you describe has my mouth watering.
I'm probably home next year at some point, I try to go in off season when tickets prices are more reasonable, either in the spring or autumn.
Sounds like a lovely day. I haven't been to the V&A for far more years than I care to remember. The Morris Room looks amazing. I wouldn't say your post was entirely without food, both lunch choices sound delicious.
What a fabulous day you had. Just my ideal sort of day. V and A is always near the top of my list of London places to while away the time. I love John Betjeman's poetry and my book of his poems is close at hand.
Its been so many years since I visited London. Thanks for sharing your day and taking some great photo's.
The cards are great too ~ I like the cake one the best.
Have a great day ;D
Its been so many years since I visited London. Thanks for sharing your day and taking some great photo's.
The cards are great too ~ I like the cake one the best.
Have a great day ;D
Oh man – I was probably walking past the V&A as you guys were lunching!!!!! and I'm NEVER in London (I'm over there twice this week, but it's two years since I was there last) Wonderful city.
Sounds like you had a good day. I love the V&A but never visit often enough. Great bit of shopping there! I just got myself a lovely Cath Kidston bag, my "cake bag" to carry my bakes to work 🙂
A great day! And it's always lovely to meet other bloggers isn't it.
I love the V&A. London is packed with wonderful places to be but the V&A is probably at the top of my list. And Betjeman … I couldn't agree more, that statue is so lifelike.
Oh lovely. I haven't been to the V&A since I was a child. Would love to go back but not too keen on city holidays and it's a long way for a weekend. Still I'll get back one day. Glad you had a good time meeting your fellow bloggers.