10 June 2015 - The delightful Victoria and Albert Museum

It was good to have a sleep in and feel as if I had had enough sleep!  It might be hard to believe, but we do get tired from our travels, schooling and day to day activities and living so close to each other.  School this morning was good for all with Tim feeling that he is getting on top of his workload, Annika getting a really good result for a piece of writing and Luke covering a good amount of material without too much complaint.

Mum, dad and teenage moorhen - Regent Canal

 As we hadn't walked along the Regent Canal for a while we thought we'd do so and continue to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  We were heartened to see the moorhen family swimming in the canal after we saw their empty nest made from rubbish.  Tim walked for some distance with us and then ran around the lake in Kensington Gardens and returned home.  The rest of us walked on to the V and A.

It looks like this guy is peeing!

 En route we stopped at the Norfolk Square Gardens, Paddington, to play a game of outdoor chess.  Luke has asked every time we have walked past if he could play so today was the day.  He was thrilled to win against Annika, although he did have lots of coaching from me!

Chess in Norfolk Square Gardens

V and A Museum

 The V and A Museum is a beautiful building on Exhibition Road opposite the Science and Natural History Museums.  It was built in 1852 and although it has a few pock marks on the exterior walls from a bomb in WWII.  Apart from damage to a stain glass window, the Museum has survived well and is a beautiful building.

The Prodigal Son - Auguste Rodin

On entrance, there is a sculpture gallery with lots of fabulous Rodins and others of various media: marble, lead and bronze.  From there the sculptures continue with 13-16th century church statues of oak and marble - such great skill and preservation.

Peasant Woman nursing a baby - Aime-Jules Dalou  1838-1902

Maternal affection - Edward Hodges Bally - 1837

 The courtyard was a good spot to have our refreshments.  I had a peek into the tea rooms there which was ever so elegant and tempting!  We sat outside and enjoyed our bottles of water and snack packs from Aldi! 

From courtyard

"Better it is to get wisdom than gold"

Looking up from the courtyard

Elegant tea rooms

Walls of tea rooms

"Truth"

 The exhibition of stained glass windows and silver was extensive and beautiful.  It is such a lovely museum, well set out and not crowded.  There are explanatory folders including some in Braille which is a terrific provision.

This was touching and beautiful to read.

 There is the National Art Library there also which reminded me of a film set, complete with ladders and high shelves of books.  It wasn't the time to sit and look at the books but it looked very special, sort of sacred...you know white gloves and academic qualifications...

National Library of Art

"As is a film set...shelves of ancient books...

Fine silverware

 Upstairs houses a vast painting collection of Turners, Constables and Gainsboroughs.  We were really enjoying the paintings when it was suddenly closing time and we were scooted out of the rooms towards the entrance.  Somehow Annika and Luke were ahead of us and headed back to the door we had entered the V and A through.  Meanwhile Karl and I had to go to another exit point.  Despite to-ing and fro-ing to the exits no-one seemed to be able to communicate with the other doormen.  Finally someone did know about two children who were waiting for their parents at the other exit and we were reunited!  This museum, along with the others we have seen, we plan to go back to as we have lots more to see there.

Corot - Morning Landscape with two Cows and a Figure

Rossetti - The Day Dream

 

The Window Seat - George Frederick Watts

Constable - Salisbury Cathedral

Medieval Gallery

The V and A is a wonderful place full of exquisite works and entry is free! Home via South Kensington.  Very glad of leftovers for dinner as it was nearly 7 PM by the time we were home!