This morning I went to view the Wallace Collection. It was primarily 17th and 18th century paintings (which I don't much care for), but had a very large collection of arms and armour through the ages, and, to my surprise, a fairly sizable collection of pages from books of hours (mostly Florentine; they sure liked painted jewels).

Also, second most interesting after the illumination, they had a room dedicated to how things were made. There was a very interesting display on how inlay work was done on 17th and 18th century furniture. It made me want to try it. It didn't look nearly as difficult as I thought it was.

But that means more tools, which means more money...If I ever won the lottery I know I would spend the whole damned thing on books and tools.

I thought that perhaps I could get through the whole of the Wallace Collection without running into a Picasso, a Rodin, or any artist I knew (I'm not that keen on 17th/18th century art, so I figured I'd be safe), but I failed when I spotted a couple of Rembrandts. Oh well. Rembrandts are allowed.

Ate my lunch in a nearby park. There were pigeons. I made friends with them.

Then looked at me ole map, trying to decide what else to do today. I had wanted to get over to the Horniman Museum, but it is Really Freakin' Out Of The Way. Ergo, I decided to go check out the ACTUAL portrait gallery, rather than the FAKE portrait gallery I went to the other day (it was actually the National Museum).

So I did! And it was filled with portraits. I like portraits.

But not 17th or 18th century portraits. BOOOOOOORING.

There was a lot of pieces I did like, though. I really need to get into portraiture. I enjoy that shit.

And now? I'm not sure what I'll do. I'm tossing up between taking a walk around the theatre district (though it's disgustingly busy, and I'm not sure I want to fight the crowds), or just heading back to the hostel and hanging around with the folks there. I suspect that will win out.

And just for a final cap on this entry, here is a picture of what I suspect the Horniman Museum will look like.

It apparently contains a poorly stuffed, rather elderly walrus, but really, this is all I'm thinking of.

Hot, man-mannequin window-sex.

Ooooh yeah.

And that's all, folks.