The Strand: Somerset House and Twinings

 A Proper Good Afternoon to You

The weather has turned, and it's cooler and windy. Moreover, the Tour de France has started. This means it's time for Fish and Chips! They wrap it up well, so it's still nice and hot. I go to an old fashioned, no frills, cash only chippie on Theobalds Road. I can't claim it's healthful, but boy is it good. There's a tourist fish and chips joint in Covent Garden that costs twice as much.

I strolled down to the Strand. My target was Somerset House, and more specifically The Courtald Gallery. I was early, but Somerset House is nice to stroll around in as is the Strand. I passed some Very Fancy hotels, including The Savoy. Note the Pride Flag flying over Somerset House, and that is not the only indication of Pride Support I've seen in London.

The Courtald charges admission, but the collection is distinguished and well displayed, even better the place is much less crowded. I used the facilities in the basement, and then climbed to the top of the museum because I like working my way down. I got treated to some Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Art. There's also a good assortment of Rubens. I found his sketches planning out some major works especially interesting.

Most people come for the Impressionists and Post Impressionists, and I can't blame them. In my opinion the gem is Manet's Bar at the Folies Bergere, but a lot of interesting works are on offer.  The only problem I had was when one idiot girl decided she needed to stand in front of me while I was looking at a painting, and what made it worse was that she was more interested in her phone than the art.

When I was done, I paid my respects at the Temple of Tea--the original Twining's shop. It's narrow, but it goes back pretty far, and the selection can be overwhelming. I came away with some English Breakfast, but I may need to go back. A lot of sights decorate the Strand. On my way back, for instance, I passed the Old Bailey, and one of the Inns of Court, where attorney's are trained.

By this time I was really craving some fish and chips, and I knew the place was open for business, so I attended. The cod is well battered. I needed to sprinkle some more salt on it, but it was good. Chips are not fries. The are not thin, uniform, and very crisp. The size and shape of the potato bits is somewhat random, and they are much thicker and  more potatoey than fries. I really like them, especially with malt vinegar and salt.

Cherrio