So glad I rehearsed the route to the train station yesterday so that I did not take any wrong turns trying to navigate the Bull Ring Shopping area. The train was perfectly nice and since I seem to have been the only person on board with a suitcase AND given that Birmingham was the origin point, I did not have to worry about where to store my goods. To top off my good fortune, the train station in London was two blocks from my hotel. Summary: lots of worries averted!
I arrived at the hotel before 9:00, ergo no access to the room, but I had anticipated that, so had planned to walk about an hour to the Victoria and Albert Museum to arrive near opening time. It was a perfectly lovely walk that wound through some quiet (and obviously wealthy) residential streets before hitting Hyde Park.
Crossing the Thames:
What to see at the museum? There is a Cartier exhibit; sold out until September. I asked about the wedding dresses exhibit; no longer up. The fashion exhibit? Temporarily closed. So I just wandered hither and yon and was utterly careless in not noting place and time and context for the pictures I took. Here is the thing. I don't love going to museums alone because half the fun is talking about what you are looking at.
I bet anything I took a picture of this the last time I visited the V and A. It is truly an affecting work. I am not sure you can see the crank coming our ot the tiger's body, but it is attached to a music box, and when turned, the "music" is meant to mimic the moans and cries of the British soldier as he is being mauled and killed by the tiger.
For a much better photograph and better and more detailed explanation, do go to TIPPOO'S TIGER
This dress looks like a print, but don't be fooled, it is decorated in a fine embroidery done in India:
Indian sabers. The curved blades make for an attractive item. Do they kill more efficiently?
A dagger I see before me!All jeweled up and with a fancy sheath. I so don't get the why of it all; status, no doubt:
So, you spend a bloody (HA) fortune on the hilt and the whole thing is a pretty big investment, is it a weapon or a dinner party outfit accessory?
More along the dinner party theme, exquisite beaded gold fabric detail of a dress:
A dress with gold panels
The men got all gussied up, too. The threads are silver and gold:
This is a section of a stand for an urn. They were beading furniture back in the day! Quite beautiful:
Mirror with modest frame:
Post V&A, I headed on over to Harrods, a walk through an upscale shopping area. There was, inter alia, a furniture store:
At Harrods, I wandered through the jewelry section. These diamond and emerald earrings reminded me of Nana's though they are not like hers at all, really:
Loved these:
I can't believe I only took two pictures! It was so much fun!!
The food court had colorful desserts:
And mini treats:
There are rooms full of of good things to eat. I bought a roll, and when I ate it (with butter), I realized that this was the first really good piece of bread I have had since being in the UK.
I am staying in a lovely, small hotel, enjoying the luxurious touches tasteful decor, chairs that have a table beside them so you can set down whatever, a shower that is not complicated to turn on, a very comfortable bed and super nice linens. The only problem is that the bed is so high, I almost have to climb on a chair to get into it! I am not sure I get the point of so high a bed. Maybe it is easier to make?
This head of a dog(?) in my room is a delicate fabric collage. Isn't the frame terrific?
Unfortunately, the coloration is off. The dog is a lighter blue grey.
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