The Lake District, half way to meeting Dave
I Spent most of the day driving from London towards the Lake District. Unfortunately, I went to the wrong Hertz to pick up my rental car, but they were so kind and chauffeured me in the back of a brand new Mercedes to the correct one in Marble Arch - thank goodness because I don't pack light. I had a lot of rain on my way up, which isn't uncommon, but a touch unnerving on their motorways with other cars flying past at an average of 80-90 miles.
Got to Cockermouth, which is on the edge of the Bassenthwaite Lake, in the late afternoon and took myself for a good walk. I ended up driving into Keswick, a beautiful little town full of cobblestone paths and hanging flower baskets then spent the evening wandering about taking photos. The fact that it stays light until almost 10pm caught me out and I missed the end of kitchen service at most of the pubs so ended up with a Tesco salad and a tiny bottle of wine for one back at the hotel.
The following morning, exploring the Honister Slate Mine
With the idea of being able to catch the sunrise over the lake at Keswick, I got up at 4.30am and headed out there to set up. Much to my disappointment, the sky decided to cloud over and I only got a hint of sun through the clouds. A little bummed, I decided to drive around and see what else I could find. This is where I stumbled upon Honister Pass and the slate mine. I did get caught in some strong wind and horizontal rain, but I also managed to capture some great views. With my jeans and shoes absolutely soaked, I decided that I really did need a pair of waterproof boots!
Made it back to the hotel in time for a hot breakfast. The Brits seriously know how to do bacon!
Last day in London
Meeting Kristie & Atlantic Swiss
Met up with Kristie who has been living in London for the last year during her lunch break in Holborn. After lunch and lots of catching up she offered to show me through her office. Sure, I thought, why not? Little did I know she works in the most awesome office space I've seen, Atlantic Swiss at High Holborn House, decked out by the director James Gallimore. Seriously cool.
The British Museum
The Photographer's Gallery - Gregory Crewdson's Cathedral of The Pines Exhibition
It was great to finally see some of Crewdson's work in the flesh. "Cathedral of the Pines (2013–14) was made during three productions in and around the rural town of Becket, Massachusetts. In images that recall nineteenth-century American and European paintings, Crewdson photographed figures in the surrounding forests, including the actual trail from which the series takes its title. Interior scenes charged with ambiguous narratives probe tensions between art, life, connection and separation, intimacy and isolation.
Day two, walking London with a broken inner compass
Anyone who knows me is aware that my sense of direction is awful, but today I think it reached a new level. I set out late this morning with no agenda, simply to wander and see what I stumbled across, but somehow I ended up finding my way back to the same places; not just once, but twice! I definitely need David here to remind me that if I instinctively think I should go one way, I should definitely go the other.
Growing my collection
I love it when people are in the right place at the right time
I definitely spent more time taking photos of the insane architecture than of the artwork it withheld
Adios Monday!
London, day one in summertime England
English summer - it looks cold and wet but it's 18 degrees and the humidity is at 94% which is a rather strange feeling; not hot, not cold, kind of sticky and just altogether weird.
My abode for the next few days in pretty Notting Hill. My room has the most darling english windowsill and squirrels in the trees in the yard below.
Had breakfast at Farm Girl Cafe in Portobello. Not sure I could have chosen anywhere more Melbourne! Seriously yummy baked eggs were had. Oh...and the cake window was just wow.
They seem to have a thing for pink doorways around here.
