London ... so far

On Sunday morning before class I received news from David that Dorothy, his mother, had fallen, broken her hip and had a massive brain haemorrhage and was unconscious in Royal Hobart hospital. Subsequently Dorothy who had lived with us for the six months prior to going into care, died yesterday. Thankfully her time was short after such a horrid accident. I suggested while her last hours were ticking by that he play his cd's for her and when one finished the nurse said she struggled to indicate she wanted more. So she could hear. Slipping away to the dulcit tones of David's oboe was all we could offer her.

VALE  DOROTHY  FRANCES  NUTTALL

I arrived in London after a smooth, picturesque and relatively short train trip from Cambridge. I am getting used to carting two+ months of clothes, my tools and student material around with me. Here in the back of the London cab.

 

The Ridgemount Hotel is just perfect for someone like me who is looking for central London accommodation, not too expensive and convenient to every place I am visiting. Thanks for the tip Carl Rohrs!

The garden view and beyond from my bedroom. I say bedroom as the room is as wide as the bed is long and it is also as deep as the bed is long. Thank goodness I am a slim little lass, ha!  Housed behind a narrow door is the tiniest bathroom I have ever seen or used but it is as clean as a whistle.

As you can see the breakfast is more than adequate and I have fallen into the habit of having breakfast, a cappuccino out and about and dinner at the Marlborough Arms around the corner.

My first visit was to the British Library. Manuscripts galore including the Lindisfarne Gospels, St Cuthberts & the Beford Hours. Some of my favourites. This is the King's Library but it beats me hoe they read the spines to choose the books. 

I was astounded at the price to get into St Paul's Cathedral - eighteen pounds - and sadly no photographs were allowed ... at all. What I photograph (without flash) are inscriptions usually on the floor but this too was forbidden.


So to get my money's worth I walked up to the Whispering Gallery and then up to the top of the Dome ... it nearly killed my but it was an amazing experience.

These high Corinthian capitals and arches were magnificent though I had to crouch down and hang my arm through a grate to take this photo.

My day could not have been more pleasant after visiting friend, gentleman and Heraldic Artist Tim Noad at the College of Arms in Queen Victoria Street. How privileged I am.