A Rare But Lovely, Lovely Day

A Rare day because Wayne and I rarely ever take a day off from work to just enjoy ourselves and do something nice for us. Work and practical stuff always seems to come first. We decided to take Monday off to celebrate Valentines Day by going to The National Gallery. Rare and Lovely because after days and days of rain and greyness, London had one of the most gorgeous Springlike days in ages. So clear and the air was fresh and crisp. London really is a beautiful city and when the clouds clear you can really see just how marvelous it is!

The National Gallery was a real treat. We had coffee and cake in the Gallery cafe (which has THE most amazing selection of cakes and treats) then mooched around looking at art. I took a picture of one of the main areas and immediately got reprimanded by one of the guards...(you can see her coming at me in the picture above!) Honestly...I know you can't take pics where the art is...but I had NO idea you couldn't photograph the lobby! Woopsie. Aw well...I wish I could have taken more because in that lobby there were these HUGE pewter urns (and when I say huge, I mean giant...like 7 feet tall!) chock full of fuschia Gladiolus...massive pink explosions...and against all that marble, it was amazing. The gift shop was a test of will. You have no idea how hard it is for me to go into a museum book shop and not want to buy at least 10 books. I was good. I only bought a print of an old map of London...£3.00...I thought I might do some illustrations on it.

It's probably also wise to say that although I was very strict with my spending in the gift shop, the same can not be said for my diet. I allowed myself a full fat Latte, a cherry bakwell tart...then we went to Pizza Express and not only did I get a really cheesy pizza and ate the WHOLE thing, I also indulged in some Dough Balls and a Sicillian Lemonade. Did I count my WW points. No. Do I feel huge and bloated today? Yes. Was it worth it? Hell yes...totally!

On top of all of it, I got some really nice gifts from the Hubby too. I had been eyeballing this gorgeous Teal Quartzite necklace from Lola Rose for ages...and this sweet little beaded flower ring is so me,...how did he know? The only thing I kinda regret from this day is that although I took my sketchbook in all good faith that I would do some sketches in The Gallery, it never made it out of my bag. When will I ever learn that I don't feel inspired to draw when I am in a museum...never have, probably never will. Why? Who knows...I should feel inspired...maybe I do but I just can't be arsed to stop my 'flow' of looking at stuff to draw it. Also who wants to sit perched on the edge of something uncomfortable, sketchbook teetering on knee whilst I fiddle about with my pens and stuf?. Not me...I just wanna walk and look!

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