We arrived Sept 13th to a lovely, modern, light filled home exchange in the heart of London’s West End. We are surrounded by Soho, the theater district and so many restaurants. We were warned by cousin Ira and our exchange hosts that our immediate area is undergoing rampant construction: the sidewalk and many streets are torn up all around the building, the major Central Line at our local Tottenham Court Underground is being torn out and replaced. We find the entire building sometimes vibrates with the drilling beneath during the work day, but still we feel very fortunate that we can easily walk to many places and catch a bus or Northern Line Underground to the others. Here are a couple of pics
 |
| From kitchen Danice on the computer |
 |
| From our bedroom window, Renzo Piano's fabulous design of this complex |
Paul’s cousin Ira has lived here since Architecture school and is a dual US/UK citizen, thus a great tour guide. He and Paul conferred on selecting four plays we have enjoyed, and he borrowed a convertible to give us a wonderful architectural tour of London, crossing the Thames 4 times to see the sunset and the city lights in addition to historic and new landmark buildings. Here are some pics from the car.
Some classic London building
 |
| The Shard, another Piano designed building |
 |
| Nick-named the Walkie-Talkie, the most hated building in London. Sunlight reflecting down has melted cars. |
But the best thing about Ira is his fiancee, Camila, about whom he is “crazy “. No wonder! She is pretty, charming, smart and sweet and is setting an example for Danice of being always positive and letting the little differences just - go - on - by. (A useful quality when involved with a Fagin.)
Camila graciously invited us to lunch Sunday at the assisted living facility where her 80ish year old aunt Anne lives. It was a sunny room with a beautiful garden and Anne was as smart, sweet and charming as her favorite niece, Camila. We had a lovely 3 hour visit discussing everything from theater to the war to politics (British and American), to travel, restaurants, and more; but not a bit of OPT (Old People Talk about ailments, medications, prior surgeries, you know.) Anne is a model for all of us on how we hope to keep alert and involved in our later years.
Museums: London is a trove of historic and modern, British and World art. It is daunting in its vastness, so we chose some favorites.
The Tate Modern: An “Ohmygod” experience of Rothko’s paintings intended for the Four Season’s Restaurant in the Seagram Building in NY, but Rothko didn’t like the setting there so he kept them.
 |
| The lighting was very low so not so great to take pictures |
Also the Reichters were amazing.
And there was a very nice abstract collection pairing sculptures with paintings
The British Museum: We went to see the Elgin Marbles taken from the Parthenon, and saw much more in beautiful sculptures of human bodies in war and peace. Apparently Lord Elgin made a (now disputed) arrangement with the Ottoman Empire to bring many of the Parthenon statues and friezes back to London for safe keeping. We enjoyed the Greek and Roman antiquities which the British are “preserving for the world."
The Tate British Museum: Filled with an amazing collection of British art, but most memorable were the many Henry Moore sculptures and the rooms full of Turner landscapes. Nice cafe where we rested Danice's weary back over tea with scones, clotted cream and jam (rather tasty we do say.)
The National Gallery: At this writing we have been twice and still have more to see. It is an astounding museum. Not to mention a very nice cafe where we split a delicious lamb burger and a very nice salad with baked goat cheese. As is Paul's habit he has taken pictures of a small number of the beautiful and fascinating faces to be found in the pictures.
 |
| Ever wonder what Jesus would have looked like if he had grown old? |
 |
| Many wonderful faces in this procession |
 |
| Love those Botticelli women |
The National Portrait Gallery: Tons of old portraits dating back to the 16th century, but the part we most enjoyed was a contemporary portrait contest sponsored by BP (no photos permitted). The artists show so much of the person’s inner being and life history in the freer art forms of today. But those old guys were not lacking for creativity, skill and technique.
That's it for now. We'll publish this then work on a blog about walking through London's fine neighborhoods.
