National Gallery10 26 14. 16:09

National Gallery. 10 26 14. 16:02

National Gallery 10 26 14. 14:18

I am exhausted! Out and about in the crowds today. We took the bus from Camden town to Leichester Square today and went to the Courtauld Gallery. I've been before when we came through London after visiting Ireland. It's a wonderful museum. We were especially interested in the Impressionist exhibit. Ralph is studying the Bloomsbury group and one of them, Roger Fry, is credited with introducing London to Impressionism. Very controversial at the time, as you would expect. I love Impressionist painting. Who doesn't? I will go back and sit around there staring at this work I've seen so often in books. Buses are cheaper than the tube. And it's fun to be able to see where you are going. Ralph has figured out that the #24 and #29 buses can be caught on a certain street and that they will take us downtown. There are other buses but it's good to know about these two. The streets are always full but were especially so today, a Saturday. It was a beautiful day with no rain. It seemed everyone was happy and shiny. We were pooped after touring the Courtauld and we walked back to Leichester Square where we were summoned into an Italian restaurant where we had a glass of wine each. OUr budget limited us to that so we caught the bus back and headed for Whole Foods which I'd discovered on the net here in Camden. Small store and not, as I'd hoped, stocked with our usual fare. However, we did find Amy's products, an array of interesting produce, and some wine. We remembered a wood-fired pizza joint across from the Camden tube station so we stopped in for a "takeaway" pizza. Very loud and crowded and not at all to our taste at the time. Endured. Headed home and here we are stuffed with pizza and a brownie. Good to be home. Ralph is graciously hanging the washed clothes in the bathroom. He opened the washer door earlier and water poured out. Back to the internet for the owner's manual in which we discovered that the washer does not spin and drain the clothes automatically in order to prevent wrinkles. You have to run an extra cycle to drain it. Complicated. Can you believe that there are Subway restaurants here!!?? They are ubiquitous in the U. S. and so they are here. I can't believe it!! Let's see. I've seen a baby Gap oh and lots of Starbucks. Saw a GNC today. I guess that's all for today. I didn't take my camera as I didn't want to be burdened with it at the gallery. Still there several times I'd have like to snap shots. REally, it's mostly crowds of people who look just like us and dress just like us so.......

National Portrait Gallery and other events

We were aiming for an early start but were too relaxed to hurry this morning.  And we had the new adventure was riding the bus.  Ralph had it plotted out.  I still don't know how he makes since of the bus map.  Short story is we made it.  Wonderful exhibit on Virginia Woolf at the National Portrait Gallery which Ralph will use for his class instruction.  He's been avidly reading about Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group so this was a special treat for him.  Did you know Hitler published a book which contained the names of the people his minions would arrest when they conquered London?  And the names Virginia and Leonard Woolf were there plain to see in said book included in the exhibit.  Also the house where the Woolfs had lived was destroyed by a bomb.  There's a photograph of the ruin taken shortly after it was bombed.  This and much more was in the exhibit.  I could go on.

We ate lunch at a vegetarian restaurant recommended by Rick Steves in his book.  Wonderful food and atmosphere.  I had tortolloni and Ralph had an enchilada. 

We strolled around what we soon realized was Soho and Chinatown.  We had a great time.  Of course it rained off and on but we were prepared.

The plan was to go to the Tate Modern in the afternoon.  We caught the bus, walked through Trafalgar Square, and happened on a bookstore recommended, again, by Rick Steves for it's travel section.  I was able to purchase a map of London.  We have only one.   Then I realized I cannot see well enough to read a map without glasses.  I'm going to have to find a way to hang my glasses around my neck.  Lanyard? 

Off we went to the Tate Modern after a short stop at the tourist center across from St. Paul's.  Across the crowded bridge.  And there was an enormous crowd for the Matisse exhibit and for another exhibit and even at the general admission there was a large crowd.  Too much and too late.

Off back across the Thames to a wine bar for a drink at a lavatory visit.  Very relaxing.  A wonderful day.  Then commenced a hard rain.  Everyone diving for cover...even those with umbrellas.  It was rush hour by now.  We gradually made our way to St. Paul's station and rode packed trains back to Camden.  A brief stop for sandwiches at the grocery store and we made our way home.  Wonderful sandwiches.  Several cats in the home vicinity.  I've forgotten the word to describe a cat (tortoiseshell) we are starting to recognize at the neighborhood greeter.  She spots you and makes a bee line for you.  Petting ensues and we move on.  No visit from the black and white cat this evening. 

Ralph started giving out at 9 and was off to bed soon after.  Here I am at 10:46.  I've worked with my mobile phone to correct the maps app's perception that I'm in California (!?).  Uninstalled and installed Google Maps for android.  Now it locates me in London and gives me routes.