Natural History Museum today. What a brilliant place! Last time I went was thirty years ago - how things change. If you live near London give it a go while it's still free. Nice to give a donation, though.

It was almost my second home when we lived in London and a posse of Grandchildren from Devon used to come and visit. Its an absolutely marvellous place.
doatie

Nice to give a donation, though


My nephew and niece are all parcelled up and in the mail now.

I appreciated that bit of humour, Michael.
I agree about the N H Museum, I must have another look next time I'm down.

Who said that was humour, Romily? They can have me too - but not quite yet.

Do you ever have a day out in Newcastle?
It is all happening there. The new Library is worth seeing.

Very often, Romily. I like the place a lot. I haven't seen the library yet, thanks for reminding me. And something I can never remember: to look into the remodelled Laing Art Gallery.

When you do go to the Laing, look for John Martin. I usually take a long time savouring his paintings.

Thanks for the tip, Romily. I can't say the name's familiar. I'll make a point of looking.

Some of John Martin's stuff is terrific (some though is pretty ghastly). He was around the first half of C19 and came from Northumberland. He tended to paint pictures the size of a wall, predominantly with Biblical themes. I often used to sit at the Tate staring in awe at his work "The Great Day of His Wrath" which I've attach below (sorry it's so huge but the painting itself is enormous and I wanted to reflect that though you really do need to see the thing in the flesh, as it were, to appreciate its full effect).

Incidentally, his older brother was "Mad Martin" who set fire to York Minster and only escaped hanging on the grounds of insanity.

That's not in the N.H museum!

No dear. The topic, inevitably, has wandered a little. Romily took it to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle and I took it to the Tate in London. Do keep up!

Just being facetious.

Smack!

Incidentally, his older brother was "Mad Martin" who set fire to York Minster

I had a vague idea that was Richard Dadd. Must be my years or something.