Arvo Tea!

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Ali had always wanted to visit the area of Lincoln's Inn, mainly because it is featured in a number of Dickens' works. Lincoln's Inn is one of four 'Inns of Court' in London. These are a complex of buildings which house chambers, libraries, chapel etc (and in the past accommodation) for use by the legal fraternity.

Right next door is the former home of architect, Sir John Soane which is now a musuem. To quote their website (http://www.soane.org/)

"Soane designed this house to live in, but also as a setting for his antiquities and his works of art. After the death of his wife (1815), he lived here alone, constantly adding to and rearranging his collections. Having been deeply disappointed by the conduct of his two sons, one of whom survived him, he determined to establish the house as a museum to which ‘amateurs and students’ should have access."

Our first impression was 'oh, yes another nicely presented 19th century home' - but - when you head downstairs it is staggering! The amount of 'stuff' crammed in to tiny rooms is almost overwhelming! One room in particular is so jammed packed with Greek, Roman and Egyptian artifacts that you can appreciate why they make you put your shoulderbags into a plastic carry bag so you don't knock things over! We were particularly taken with the 'picture room' which manages to display over a hundred paintings in a tiny room using an ingenious system of moveable walls. Ali had particularly wanted to see the Hogarth series 'A Rake's Progress'. There was a guide in the room who gave an excellent commentary on this series as well as another Hogarth series, 'An Election'. We have just found an interesting little video by Private Eye's Ian Hislop - http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/282088-sir-john-soanes-museum

On to arvo tea at the Langham Hotel! We have never spent so much money on a few sandwiches and cakes! Mind you, we hadn't eaten lunch and we didn't need dinner afterwards! It was lots of fun and we just had to have that second glass of champers (at £16 a glass!!).

We walked home through Mayfair, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (we pleased to get plenty of warning from a fellow driving around with a loud speaker announcing that the gates were closing!). In Kensington we stopped in at the Mall Tavern, a favourite from our previous visit to London, and had a glass of wine. We may have indulged in another if not for the loud-mouthed 'git' at the table next to us.

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Photos

John Soane's Museum
It was a good day for indoor activities as it rained pretty much all day!

Comments

[Wen]

Afternoon Tea
I think I have already sent a message but if I failed in my attempt, I just said that John looks completely at home at the Langham....he adds to the ambience ( I spelled it incorrectly in the previous attempt anyway!!) and they should hire him! Gorgeous decadence.