Thursday 14 August 2014

Our Final Weeks


We are home again and all but over the jet lag. It was hard to keep up with regular blogposts while away as we wanted to soak up every sight and every sound while we had the opportunity.
We ended up going on a couple more day trips out of London after visiting the Midsomer village. One such outing was to Cambridge which lived up to our high expectations.



We also visited Brighton.


There were endless antique jewellery shops and other shops of interest in the winding, characterful streets of the old part of town.

TRAVESTY AT THE TATE

In between the day trips we explored more of London. For many months I had been savouring the moment when I would be able to lay my eyes on the gorgeous "Lady of Shalott" painting by John William Waterhouse - painted in 1888. The day finally arrived, and after admiring Big Ben and all things Westminstery, we trotted down to the Tate Britain.

 It is wonderful to bask in the energy that is generated by an original painting - particularly an original that has long been admired only via reproductions, which was the case for me with "the Lady of Shalott". Alas, the very day that we had earmarked to visit the Tate Gallery was also the very day they had earmarked for dismantling and rearranging the wing in which "the Lady of Shalott" resided.

I was aghast and couldn't really believe I wouldn't end up being able to view her at close quarters, which is why I didn't give up easily. I pleaded with three different staff members on three different occasions to let me tiptoe in with them for a quick look, all to no avail. But I wasn't alone in trying to suck up to the staff. On the third occasion an outraged American woman was already pleading her case for seeing the very same painting. "But I've made a 13 hour journey to see it!" she cried (she confided to me afterwards that she'd added in her Chunnel crossing for extra effect). My tale of woe trumped hers of course with my 26 hour journey to Ireland (which didn't include the ferry crossing to Wales, or the time spent looking for the missing gangplank - or the 3 hour train journey to London!) but all our bleating was to no avail as the staff were very professional and knew if they let us in they would be deluged with other bleaters within minutes.
So we had to be satisfied with glimpsing her from a distance, at least she had yet to be removed from the wall. This shot was taken through one of the glass doors with my zoom.




Despite my disappointment, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the visit as there was a wealth of other stunning works to admire. It is wonderful how all the famous museums and galleries in London are free to visit - with the suggestion of a small donation.

I feel this post is long enough so I will endeavor to post the final photos and sketch in the next day or so.

12 comments:

  1. Dear Wendy - I am so sorry about not getting to see the painting up close. To be there and not be able to view it seems really sad. Glad though that you did enjoy other works. Your pictures are so beautiful and clear. Looks like you had perfect weather too. Hope you are getting rested by now. Will be looking forward to more photos and sketches from your trip. Take care and thank you so much for sharing. Have a great day.

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    1. Thanks Debbie, everywhere we turned was amazing art so it took the sting out somewhat. Yes, we had glorious weather the whole time we were in London. Most days were in the high twenties Celsius.

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  2. I too have always loved that painting. Its unfortunate that you didn't get to see it up close.

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    1. Did you get to the Tate while you were in London? Your photos are amazing! Fancy us being there at the same time and not knowing?!

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  3. Hi Wendy, glad you had a safe and wonderful trip and made it home safe and sound. I have completely enjoyed your photos, sketches and anecdotes. What a lot of exciting places you've been, a trip to remember for a long long while. thanks for sharing with us

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    1. Thanks so much Sally. It was a great trip! I'm looking forward to visiting your blog very soon to catch up on what I missed while I was away!

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  4. Good on you Wendy! Glad you at least got a glimpse! I so love all your trip posts buddy! I am hoping you are keeping a written journal! Enjoy every second and savor each moment!
    Hail Brittainia!
    Your Stay At Home Art Buddy!
    Michael Cobber

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    1. Hi Michael, I had begun keeping a journal of my trip but have yet to finish off the last week. I hope to do that in the next few days before my memory fails me. Thanks for the encouragement. I will write a more lengthy response to your comment on my subsequent post. I'm about to head off for a walk through the bush to enjoy the first of the spring flowers.
      Your Glad To Be Home Art Buddy!
      Wendy (and yes, I had almost forgotten what Cobber meant! haha!)

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  5. Wonderful photos! Sorry you couldn't see the painting up close, but at least it was in a spot where you could see it through the glass. I've gone so many places to see a building only to find it covered in tarps with plastic all around it. lol Your trip sounds so great.

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    1. I know what you mean Joan, scaffolding is the tourist's curse is it not? we were fairly lucky on that front this time. I was able to see Big Ben in all his splendour on this trip but he was under scaffolding the last time I had visited him over a decade ago.

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  6. A sad story. But I'm glad you rallied. I would feel the same way about trying to see a Sargent -- my hero. Not good. So far, I've been able to see quite a few in the flesh and you are right, it's a completely different experience. But we know that because it's true of our work too!

    XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

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  7. Thanks Barbara! Yes, even our own work sings to us compared to reproduced copies. I'm so pleased you've had the chance to see a lot of Sargent's work at close quarters!

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