Fans and mirrors

News from home

Tourists enjoying the national gallery

Pie and Mash

Goddards at Greenwich

Fan by Pure Evil (based on Audrey Hepburn)

Afternoon tea at the Orangery

Award-winning loos 

The London papers always have a story about Australia. Today’s article is a kangaroo that looks like Putin. Every day there is something new from home, maybe it amuses all the Aussies living in London.

This is our last city day, so we head into Charing Cross and straight up to the National Gallery. Scouting via the gift shop we are here to see Reflections an exhibition based on the reactions of the pre-Raphaelite painters who were influenced by the arrival of the Arnolfini Portrait at the National Gallery in 1842. The theme of the paintings is reflections in mirrors and it makes me look quite differently at all these paintings. A really lovely experience.

Now a quick walk through some favourite National Gallery rooms and then its time to move on. So down the Thames we go on a ferry trip to Greenwich.

Off the ferry and Jane leads me straight to Goddards at Greenwich to introduce me to pie and mash, another traditional British meal. Eek, the sign outside says, ‘we use real eels’. Do we have to eat eels? No, apparently that is not part of the experience. Phew. We are in and Jane has quickly ordered two meals before I can say no. The meals are served piping hot, all covered in parsley sauce.

Sitting in front of my pie and mash with equal measures of excitement and trepidation. I take the first bite, flakey pastry, tasty sauce and yummy potato. I declare it a success!

An explore of the markets and we are off to the Fan Museum. Its quaint and interesting and has the most amazing loos. Am surprised by the street art exhibition, did not expect to see any work by Pure Evil today. Topped off with afternoon tea in the orangery, a delightful way to end the day.