Another late post.
If anyone ever tells you that studying is good for you, don’t believe them.
I think my brain is fried.
Anyhoo, back to Pete’s birthday.
Pete’s birthday was on the 26th of May and he was very specific on what we should do on his birthday so I just tagged along..
Pete is a huge fan of modern art so he decided we should WALK from Waterloo station all the way down to Tate Modern. On the way, we stopped by a really cool canteen type restaurant and had lunch. It was really cool as the food was served in cardboard boxes.
Pete ordering food
Our food came in little cardboard boxes
The Tate modern used to be an old power station and what a beautiful building!! It had these beautiful gigantic windows and many many interesting levels depicting different eras and themes of Modern Art.
The Front of Tate Modern
Beautiful gigantic windows in Tate Modern
We weren’t allowed to take any pictures of the artwork in the galleries. We saw a beautiful Monet called the Waterlilies and some of the statues were beautiful. Some of the art though were admittedly weird and surreal. Pete and I spend most of the time making up names for the weirder ones, ‘Chicken Tikka Massala Puke’ and ‘Splattered ‘Boobies’ are my favourites!
After a few hours of happy art viewing, we made our way over the Millenium Bridge also known as the Wobbly Bridge. Pete tells me the bridge doesn’t wobble anymore after a dangerous wobbling incident in the past.. ( I was very dissapointed!)
Compulsory posing on Wobbly Bridge
Birthday Pete!
Our next destination was St Paul’s Cathedral on the other side of the bridge, one of Pete’s favourite landmarks in London. I’ve never been so it was an adventure.
The Famous Dome
You do have to pay to go in but believe me, it is worth it. It is very beautiful and peaceful. And SO MUCH GOLD LEAFING!!
Look up and you see this!
There were many tombs and statues of famous people but I was only interested in one. John Donne, my favourite poet of all times! I’ve been a fan of Donne’s since studying him for A Levels. There is a sincerity and raw humanity in his poetry that I haven’t seen in other poets. His words are powerful and never fail to move me and were a comfort on countless times when I felt disillusioned or sad. He was the Dean of St Pauls in 1621 and he was rumoured to be buried there. A statue was built in his memory by Nicholas Stone commisioned by Donne himself as he lay dying. It depicts him covered in his death shroud with an urn at his feet. We found him in the corridor to the left of the big altar. As I stood gazing up at his peaceful face, I felt overcome by emotions and cried.
John Donne's Monument
Pete thought it would be ‘fun’ to make our way up to the Whispering Gallery… What he didn’t tell me was we had to climb over 200 steps to get there! We weren’t allowed to take photos upthere but it was incredibly beautiful! There is a myth that if two people stand at opposite sides and whisper to the walls, the other will hear it. Pete and I tried it but we didn’t hear anything. Above the Whispering Gallery is the Stone Gallery, a viewing balcony running around the outside of the dome. Another 180 steps up! It was worth the climb though, the views were spectacular!
The Stone Gallery
You could see the Tate Modern and the Wobbly Bridge from there!
Could you see the London Eye?
After climbing down over 300 something steps, we went down to the crypt and the gift shop. In the middle of the crypt was Nelson’s tomb and other famous men. It was surprisingly not very eerie as it was very well lit. We had coffee in the cafe and inspired by Donne, I grabbed these two books from the gift shop. The small book is only a pound and I can keep it in my handbag whereever I go and the bigger book is Donne’s biography.
Donne-tastic!
Heading home, we took the tube down to Holland Park. The sun was just coming out and we had a romantic walk through the Park. We did find these awesome Tortoise Statues and could resist posing for a picture!
Pete on Tortoise
I am a lady so I side saddled it!
We got home quite late and by now, my feet were burning! We had a quiet home dinner and snuggled down for some tv. I did have a small surprise for Pete though, he didnt want a cake so I compromised and bought (yes, bought! Not made as I just DONT have the time!!) an eclair and a strawberry tart to share!
Seven candles! You work it out!
All in all, I think we had a pretty amazing day! Happy Birthday My Love!
Just for you, My favourite Donne Poem!
THE FLEA.
by John Donne
MARK but this flea, and mark in this,
How little that which thou deniest me is ;
It suck’d me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea our two bloods mingled be.
Thou know’st that this cannot be said
A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead ;
Yet this enjoys before it woo,
And pamper’d swells with one blood made of two ;
And this, alas ! is more than we would do.
O stay, three lives in one flea spare,
Where we almost, yea, more than married are.
This flea is you and I, and this
Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is.
Though parents grudge, and you, we’re met,
And cloister’d in these living walls of jet.
Though use make you apt to kill me,
Let not to that self-murder added be,
And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.
Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?
Wherein could this flea guilty be,
Except in that drop which it suck’d from thee?
Yet thou triumph’st, and say’st that thou
Find’st not thyself nor me the weaker now.
‘Tis true ; then learn how false fears be ;
Just so much honour, when thou yield’st to me,
Will waste, as this flea’s death took life from thee.
Just thought I should update you on how my quest on exercise is going…
Just received news that my little Lullabee is ill and I am sick with worry. She has refused to eat for a few days, even her favourite chicken! I’ve asked my little brother to take her to the vet and now am pacing the floor just wishing her better. She is such a sweet active cat and I do love her dearly. God! I wish I was home to look after her.
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