Journal Entries...

"Tuesday 11 October

"Slept in a bit, then tube to St Pauls Cathedral. Central Line service halted in all central London due to sick passenger. Walked down Holborn, stopping for snack at Paul. Walked to Old Bailey, then around the corner to St Pauls. [NOTE: we missed the "Occupy" protests which sprang up the following week.]

"Entered and took audio tour (meh) and walked around. No photos allowed inside the building; North Transept had "Light of the World" painting, incredible mosaics (Victorian era) on the aisles of the Quire (Choir) and Sepia painted dome interior [by Thornhill - same guy who did the Painted Hall in Greenwich]. Large memorial to Wellington in nave.

"Walked up stairs to Whispering Gallery (not very noticeable), then up to Stone Gallery, Oculus (tiny hole in floor, not railed hole visible fr floor), then to Golden Gallery below lantern. Good views. Walked down to floor and met with D (she declined the stairs).

"Went to crypt and saw Wellington, Nelson, several of Nelson's captains, Howe, Anson, St Vincent, plus Falklands Wren Hooke Turner Constable Sargent (memo only) Donne. Too many to see without being able to take photos.

"Walked over to Tate Modern and had great pulled pork sandwiches on crispy toasted Ciabatta. Saw Richter retrospective, Taryn Simon (interesting (if exhausting) portfolios of extended family worldwide taken exactly the same, with stories). Walked through 5th floor States of Flux - Picasso, Rodin, Duchamp. Will return tomorrow to see 3rd floor and turbine room. Dinner tonight middle eastern.

"Wednesday 12 October

"Walked by St James Palace on way to Tate Modern; sat and watched the new Turbine hall exhibition (Tacita Dean) and got some good photos of the crowd watching. Walked through 3rd floor and was annoyed by the lighting in the Rothko room of Four Seasons murals (lights too close to the artwork so angles were bad - corners not lit.). Picasso, Monet Water Lilies, Cornell, Miro, Barnett Newman, Ellsworth Kelly, Pollack. Walked over Blackfriars Bridge to Temple, which was closed unfortunately. Wandered over to Foyles books and got 3 Iain Banks not available in US. Drinks with hotel GM and then Italian for dinner."