Last year, I discovered that a band I had been following for thirty-odd years (they'd been going for forty-five years!) were doing a farewell tour. As I'd been given some money for Christmas 2017, I decided to treat myself to a ticket to see Runrig before I couldn't any more.
I was so excited when my ticket arrived, although I was a bit nervous about heading down to London for a day as my final exams were due on the Monday and I thought I should be studying.
So I took my studying with me for the train. Not that I achieved very much of course!
I don't often get a day in London any more - not since Andy transferred from Whitechapel up to Norfolk for the NDR job - so I did some research to work out how I would spend the rest of my day.
A couple of years previously, I had visited Lowther Castle with Mum and Dad, where the gardens had been brought back to life by Dan Pearson, garden designer, and I'd loved his work there. Serendipitously, the Garden Museum in London has also had the gardens designed by Dan Pearson and it was here that I chose to spend the day.
I walked miles this day!
The Garden Museum is in an old church, St Mary's, on Lambeth Palace Road, next door to the palace.
I use a walking website a lot so had printed all my maps, how to walk from Liverpool Street to the Garden Museum, and then from there to Victoria station so I could get my tube out to Hammersmith for the gig later.
The gardens were beautiful - really foliage heavy - I do love greenery!
The museum itself was really interesting - with lots of exhibits, including an art exhibition by Cedric Morris. And there were lots of quirky things which were captivating - at one point, I was sitting inside a shed, inside a church, watching a film about ..... sheds! And more specifically how people used their sheds - I do love a shed! There were also plenty of films interviewing gardeners, including one of Dan Pearson, which was enthralling.
There were plenty of artworks around the building which is set over different floors, and included old gardening posters too, with a really vintage feel.
After spending some time in the beautiful church/ museum space, I decided I needed some fresh air and exercise, so climbed the stairs of the church tower. The views!
Coming back to ground level with somewhat wobbly knees, I found the garden had emptied out a bit so had another look round while it was quieter.
I was sad to leave this lovely place - I will definitely return - but time was marching on and it was time that I was heading out to Hammersmith.
Coincidentally - and with absolutely no planning whatsoever - my walking route to Victoria station took me right past Lindley Hall, the RHS building, which were hosting an exhibition about Humphrey Repton, who we had been studying on our design module. I don't just throw these things together. (Actually, I do!) So I felt it only right to pop in and continue with my studies, if only for a very brief half an hour.
Fascinating stuff.
And so to Victoria station to get my train out to see Runrig. What a show!
I'm so very glad I finally got to see them - I've been listening to them for years - on the back wall, there were huge screens and every song that they sang was illustrated by views of Scottish scenery and highland life. Very moving actually. My obsession with all things Scottish shows no signs of abating any time soon!
There were obviously lots of kilts in evidence!
What a day - just perfect in every way. Apart from the studying - which was only very cursory!
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