Something for Everyone: The Victoria and Albert

 

A Proper Good Afternoon to You

So I got some microwave meals at the grocery stores, and meh. They were not good--not nearly as good as the ones I had in Portugal besides being much more expensive. I'm not going to bother any more. There's a Pret a Manger just across the street with healthful and tasty food for less money and fuss. I got a Mediterranean Tuna Wrap and some sparkling water on the way home.

I exercised my Oyster Card today, taking the Piccadilly Line to South Kensington where one can find the Victoria and Albert, a museum of applied arts from pretty much all over the world. It's a multi day project for someone my age, but my time is short, and I had targets in mind.

After alighting from the train one is directed down a long tunnel with exits signposted. This is also the way to the Natural History Museum, and since I was early, I had a stroll in their garden. I had discovered a direct entrance to the V and A from the tunnel, but I had to wait until the museum opened.

I wanted to see the British Art first. What are you in the mood for? Costume? Musical Instruments? Weapons? Tableware, Furniture, Jewelry? Decorative items? Religious Works? All of the Above? Then this is the place for you. I wandered around randomly stopping to admire pieces that caught my eye. There are no period rooms, but there are plenty of period ensembles like this one.

I also visited with my old pal Henry VII, founder of the Tudor Dynasty and an underrated ruler in my opinion, who's been overshadowed by his --uh--colorful successor.

I took a detour to the Asian Wing to look at some exhibits from China as I am interested in the Tang Dynasty. Most of the exhibits are from the Qing Period, which interests me less, but I did find things from the Song and Tang Dynasties. Here are some Tang figurines.

I finished up with a visit to the Raphael Cartoons, originally meant at studies for frescos in the Papal Apartments. The cartoons are as fine as finished paintings in my opinion.

Having seen my fill I went back to the tube, and realized that I had left the museum just in time, since I ran into not less than five school groups. Instead of coming straight home, I got off at Green Park. That's your stop if you are visiting Buckingham Palace, but my destination was Fortnum and Mason. To get there I had to pass a couple of "palace hotels," whose posh clientele would never do anything as declasse as arrive by tube or any other form of public transportation.

I was on a scouting mission, so I didn't buy anything. The food hall was crowded, and a lot of what they offer caters to tourists with deep pockets, but they also have some very fine tea.

Back to the tube and home for the bike race and some food and drink.

Cherrio!