UK April 2012

Had a magical week in Gloucestershire with the saintly Viv and not so saintly Rich and dog Annie.

Usual programme of country walks, stately homes and beer. Rich had business in London on Tuesday so I trained in with him and spent the day sightseeing. It being rush hour the ticket cost more than my flight  to Amsterdam. Started at St Botolph without Aldgate, walked down to Tower Bridge. London looked wonderful - clean, modern and bogan-free.

Popped into Southwark Cathedral where I lit a candle to help me stop smoking. It hasn't worked yet.  

Found myself at Tate Modern where I rediscovered one of the favourite paintings of my youth. Very impressed with the security guard who seemed to know everything. I wanted to see if they had any Australian paintings. They had a rather crappy Sidney Nolan painting of the Australian interior.

Next to St Paul's. I spent 3 years in London and never saw it. I had planned to spend a few minutes there knocking it off my list but couldn't tear myself away. As fine as anything I've seen anywhere, including the Duomo in Florence. Loved the military memorials and particularly taken with the memorial to Lord Cornwallis whose sculptor clearly thought big and liked nipples. I scampered up to the Whispering Gallery and the roof for a fine view of London and then on the National Gallery where I met up with Rich. He's keen  on the Pre-Raphaelites whereas I am more of a Renaissance man. He escorted me round the nearby streets to knock off Downing Street, the Mall, Horseguards and the Houses of Parliament.