Now where were we?

 I forgot to post yesterday--no real excuses, just didn't get around to it. (sorry)
I started yesterday(Sunday) heading to Spitalfields Market. I was especially interested in seeing this part of London since my mother's family lived here in the 1800's to early 1900's. Of course, there's very little left from that time period. What the Victorians didn't demolish in the name of progress, was taken care of during WWII.  I did take some photos of buildings that may have stood when my ancestors lived their (probably really hard) lives here.

After hitting Spitalfields and Petticoat Lane markets, I head back toward central London and got lunch behind St. Martin in the Fields (from years of listening to classical music on public radio this is a familiar name).

The National Gallery was my next stop, and totally worth it. So many painting with excellent portrayals of fabric. (I apologize for my non-fiber-geek friends). It is also fun to see one of the many portraits we studied in costume history in person.

Today I was in the London office, so not much to report. After work I headed down to Chinatown to get some take away. Everything fit on 3 streets, and most of the businesses were restaurants. The food was okay, but not great. I'll be eating lunch with the team tomorrow, so dinner might be a salad from Pret again.

Juliette

I could show you, but....

Sadly, the first 2 places I visited this morning don't allow photography, but both were worth the visit, and conveniently just across a square from each other.
I hit the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons. If you are at all squeamish, skip this one. If not, especially if you are interested in medical history, this is a great museum.

I know public bathrooms were built in the Victorian era--
maybe this is one?

Across Lincoln's Inn Fields Court is the Sir John Soane Museum. This place was close to being overwhelming, it was so full of interesting elements. Soane was a self-made success; an architect by trade and a collection. He left his home and entire collection to Britain with strict details on it being available to the public. Everything was clearly thought out, designed, planned and executed, apparently obsessively. The house is a work of art in itself, filled with ancient and contemporary art.

This was my view for lunch

I headed back towards the flat, picked up a salad at Pret a Manger (Ready to Eat), and found a bench in Soho Square.



















Next up was a fabric shop in Kensington that claims to have the largest selection of Liberty cottons in London (maybe the globe). After wandering around the basement, I believe them. They had other beautiful fabrics, including mens' suiting, but I controlled myself and got two half meter pieces for handkerchiefs. Shaukat Fabric


From there I headed across the Thames to Vauxhall to deliver the 4 teapot covers I knitted for the The Tea House Theatre. Before I got to the shop, I stumbled on the "City Farm"--a sort of petting zoo. They have chickens, rabbits, duck, geese, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, horses and pigs.

This one seemed to like it when I scratched his ears,
but then lied down where I couldn't reach

SQUEEE! Baby wool-making machine

I made it to the Tea House Theatre and immediately loved it. The building was a Victorian pub built around the same time as the Vauxhall Pleasure Garden, and now it is a funky, cool hang out where people drink wonderful tea, walk around to choose their cake (they keep it in covered cake stands and put them whatever table is free), play games and knit.
It was really cool to see all the warmers already in use (like the one here)












On my way back to the flat, I stopped at a couple of markets for things like yogurt and juice, and found these. I've already eaten the ones on the right, which were fine. I'll have to work up some courage to try the others...

Juliette

Here, There, Here again

I did quite a bit (maybe a little too much) running around today, and I didn't get to all the place I'd hope, but I had a good day, so no complaints.

I started off at the Tower of London. I'd resisted visiting since I heard is was a huge tourist trap, and I really hate tourists ;). But I am also not so slightly obsessed with the Tudor era--in my opinion, the original soap opera. So I am really glad I went. I did 2 things that made it more tolerable: I bought my ticket online and I arrived about 15 min before the gate opened.
Instead of posting photos of what everyone else posts, here's some stuff I thought was cool that might not be on websites or anyone else's SD card:

Front and back of one of the first doors I walked through. I love the little alcove that accommodates the letter box when the door is open.


















Some really old lathe and plaster.









The entrance to a tower. You know, they call it "THE Tower of London", but there's actually more than one. I'm not sure how many--seems like about 30, after I walked up and down all those spiral stairs, but maybe not that many. You can Google it if you really want to know.






Looks like someone was doing a little DIY here...

It's not often you see hinges on wearable items:

found this on my way to the museum

After the Tower, I headed to St. Pauls, but decided I didn't want to pay the entrance fee. (maybe another day), so I went over to the Museum of London. It was fun to see all the little kids with their parents getting excited over history and stuff, but the group of French teenagers had a knack of blocking every walkway/entrance/stairway they got near. I stopped trying to be polite and just shoved my way through. Je suis desolee. (c'est pas vrai)

Knitted! items from 1500's (see below)

Sewing tools and samples of madder dye

This museum is pretty dang cool. It starts with Pre-historic, then on to Roman when the city was called "Londonium". Really, Honey, I wasn't kidding. I was really excited to see garments from many periods, and even a few from Medieval and tools and some dye samples (Deb!)

















A few of the many garments:

I also visited Kensington Palace and the Victoria and Albert Museum which I will call from now on "Vickie & Al's" thanks to David for that, and the Fish & Chip rec near Holborn.

Running out of steam so that's it for tonight. More tomorrow!

Juliette

A day with friends

I spent most of the day with the wonderful Rachel Kurland. We met at the Victoria & Albert Clothworkers' Centre in West London.
Even the building was cool. An old postal center office, it is now filled with treasures from various museums across London, and security is TIGHT.

The first room we went into holds over 10,000 items--all clothing and accessories. Rachel is a curator at her local museum, so she asked to see some of the storage facilities.

Larger dresses

Lockers containing racks of clothing

Drawers for a few really special garments...

Rachel with Sara, one of the docents

When the docent opened this drawer, I am sure we both gasped. This is a gorgeous beaded gown made by Hartnell for one of Queen Elizabeth's visit to France. I can't post detailed photos on this blog, but I can give a link to the dress on the V&A site: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O16820/the-flowers-of-the-fields-evening-dress-hartnell-norman/

Rachel asked what was in the next drawer, and we were treated to an Elsa Schiaparelli gown and cape. This one: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85663/evening-ensemble-elsa-schiaparelli/#

toilet stalls have become vaults

Sara also showed us storage for hats, fans and shoes, and then we headed back to the main room where the gowns Rachel had requested were played out on tables waiting for us.

This was such an amazing experience, and I really hope to do it again. We looked at 4 gowns in the morning (we didn't get to one because we took so long looking at the others)

Does Rachel look happy? You bet she does!

Rachel's husband David met us, and we headed out for lunch and found a nice Persian restaurant. I really don't think this needs any explanation:







 After lunch, Rachel and I got pretty lost trying to get back to the center, but finally made it back and spent a couple more hours looking at amazing garments, these from the early 20th century, then finished off the day looking through the cabinet of mounted fabric pieces-- we saw embroidered silk from China and Turkey (1800's), printed cotton from the 1920's, even a piece from 1600.

I'll look through the photos later and describe what we saw, but due to copyright issues, I cannot post them here. (But I can show you when I see you, so please ask!) David joined us again, and we headed toward Waterloo/Lower Marsh to visit I Knit London. I found another skein of tasty sock yarn, and Rachel round a lace scarf pattern from the shop owner that she like (Ravelry, yea!)

We had dinner at a kebab place near the Old Vic, then headed back over the bridge so Rachel and David could make the 7:30 show for Oppenheimer. I headed back to the flat to rest my feet, post here and plan my day for tomorrow. I'm thinking: Tower of London, St. Paul's, London Museum, fish and chips for lunch, then over to Kensington Palace, some fabric shopping in South Kensington, south of the Thames to drop off some tea pot covers and get some tea and cake, then back to Kensington to spend the evening at the V&A (or as David calls it, Vickie & Al's)
More photos tomorrow!
Juliette

Back in London!

I made it to London. Boy, do I love direct flights. Sure, they are usually more expensive and you're stuck on a plane for 10 hours or so. BUT you get on a plane in one place, have a snack, something to drink, maybe sleep a little and WHAM! you're in a totally different place. and usually your luggage is, too.  No eating nasty airport food while waiting for your connecting flight that *might* be delayed for any number of reasons.

I did not take any photos today, so you'll just have to visualize things.
Here are some of things I've encountered since leaving our house:

Waiting to depart in the Austin airport:
a couple married for 47 years who were headed on 40+ day all over Europe.
a little girl (8? years old) who acted like I was a superstar when I said I was professional seamstress. She just got a sewing machine for Christmas, and according to her mom, it is all she wants to do.

In London:
stumbled on the British Museum while wandering (I was able to drop off luggage , but the apartment was still being cleaned, so I had to keep myself busy) I LOVE this museum, esp when a docent at the one of the "hands on!" tables let me handle a tool, then told me it was made by the Neanderthal ancestors. Also love hearing all the kids getting excited about stuff in a museum. One little boy came up to the table while I was there and commented that the hieroglyphics on the fragment we were handler were much clearer than any of the objects upstairs. This, my friends, is where future archaeologists come from.
Had a great conversation with a guy from Atlanta, GA who works on TB control for the CDC while having a tea break.
Saw a boy getting fitted for his first kilt. (not just the kilt, but the whole deal--jacket, pouch) I will be going back to that shop--gorgeous knitted and woven wool sweaters and scarves--all made in Scotland.
Stopped at Soho Square for a rest. Started chatting with a lady who sat down next to me. Turns out her entire family were from Florence (another city I love). I should here my hand-knitted socks when she told me no one knits or sews anymore (I also showed her my silk jean jacket. She said, oh, I knew it was silk from the sheen.) We talked about how sad it is when people walk around London looking at their phones instead of up, at all the incredible buildings around them. She was there to meet a friend to play PingPong

So, first day in London almost done. The apartment is fine--clean, a little funky, but all I really need (though I would like to be able to get the tv on).
I've hit Sainsbury and picked up tea, muffins and digestives (and some fruit, of course)
Tomorrow I meet up with fellow fiber junkie Rachel Kurland to fondle, I mean study historic costumes at the Clothworkers' Centre.

Juliette

It's Getting to Be that Time of Year Again

Once again I'm fortunate to be going to Europe for work/vacation. I'll be on my own like the first time, but I am meeting friends in both cities, so I won't be alone or lonely.

I'm returning to two cities I really love: London and Paris. This time I'll stay in Covent Garden area in this flat:

Covent Garden Flat in London

I'll take a few vacation days before I head to the London office for a week.

Among the things I plan to do:

• Spend a day with Rachel Kurland at the Victoria and Albert Clothworker's Centre where we will be examining work by Madeline Vionnet.
• Visit Fashion on the Ration exhibit
• Attend a knit night at I Knit London
• Afternoon Tea with my co-worker, Manuela.
• Take in a show, depending on what is available last-minute.
• LOTS of time in museums.

From London, I'll take the Eurostar to Paris. I'll stay in same apartment I've stayed the last 2 years. 

Monmartre Apartment

I love this place--it is on a quiet street, away from the crazy crowds of tourists, but close to 3 metro stations (not much of Paris isn't), and it has everything I need: a private deck to relax on and enjoy the view of Paris, a washing machine so I can pack light, wifi for, you know, everything, satellite tv so I can practice French with old US shows, and a phone so I can keep in touch with my hubby. I'll be here for just over 2 weeks. Mom will join me the second week for her very first trip to Paris (to France, to the Continent, for that matter).
With Mom, I plan to take the city 'par arrondissement'--neighborhood by neighborhood. The only things planned for sure are lunch at Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower (seemed better than standing in line for an elevator) and Chateau Versailles.

I really thought I had scaled back what I was packing, but my case is bulging (22"--and there are gifts in there) and my carry-on is pretty full (but my big travel coat/airplane blanket is in there).
By this time tomorrow (local time) I hope to have dropped off my belongings at the apartment and on my way for some fish & chips.

More to come...
Juliette