This must be the most-photographed view of the new British Library. But it was such a beautiful day, and the building looked so striking against the clear blue sky, that I just couldn’t resist. I went to see the Royal Manuscripts exhibition which was very beautiful, but very busy. I got a bit tired of having to peep over other people’s shoulders, so I left after about an hour and went up to the Treasures of the British Library gallery instead. Much cooler, much quieter, and still full of beautiful things.
While I was there I wandered over to the conservation centre, where they have a little exhibition that I hadn’t seen. I was surprised to find that I actually knew almost everything the exhibition had to show me. I always feel as though there’s more I can learn about almost everything, so sometimes it takes me by surprise to discover that I already know more than I think!
In the afternoon I met up with a friend who’d been in a meeting just around the corner from the Grant Museum. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go in again, and was excited to discover that we’d arrived on their birthday! Yes, we did sign the card and fill in the quiz. Jo loved the museum – although frankly who wouldn’t love a place with a skeleton in a party hat?
I had every intention of taking lots of artistic photos, but Jo and I were so busy going around pointing at exciting things that I failed miserably. I did like this one though – another ingenious bit of labelling on an elephant’s heart.
As if Jo wasn’t already excited enough about the preserved infant manatee, she was thrilled to bits when I gave her a gift of manatee socks! The manatee looks suitably impressed, I think. Probably jealous. Jo’s going to visit manatees in Singapore soon, as well as meeting orangutans in Borneo. Now I’m jealous!
Despite leaving London just after 5, it was getting dark by the time I walked home from the station. The lake was misty as the sun set, so I took the opportunity to snap a picture. Quite a contrast to the blue sky over London!
