10 from half-term

March 02, 2020 by famapa in london

It was half-term a couple of weeks ago, and for the most of it we just spent it at home, as the weather was pretty pants, and being at home is so cosy and comfortable, you know? We managed to spend one day in town though, and went to the Meet Vincent van Gogh Experience, which with it being the school holidays, was packed. It wasn't as amazing as the similar van Gogh experience we saw in Paris in the summer (which reminds me, I HAVE to start posting the giant backlog from last year!), but it was still fun to see. It’s basically giant projections of Van Gogh’s painting, that you are steered through, with headphones so you get to know a bit more about the art and the man himself.

There was an enlarged section of one of his paintings, so you could touch the thickness of his brush strokes.

And a shadow projection of van Gogh and Paul Gaugin painting side by side inside the Yellow House, where they eventually had the huge fight that pushed Van Gogh over the edge, and led to him slicing off his ear.

Right at the end of the show there was a big projection wall with all of the paintings that van Gogh made in the 10 years he painted. I got a lump in my throat, as I usually do when it comes to him. He had no idea that he would one day become one of the worlds most famous and influential artists. I wonder what he would make of what’s happened to his art since his death, and how much it sells for now, and that you can buy The Sunflowers umbrellas and cushions, or little crocheted Vincent van Gogh key rings.

We walked along the river to Tate Modern, where I spotted these girls doing some sort of dance in front of a smartphone, to post on TikTok I’m guessing, as that’s what all them kids are doing, aren’t they?

Reflections and silhouettes.

FUN TIMES.

Didn’t stay long at Tate as it was also packed. Just below the gallery the tide was out, but Oomoo wasn’t interested in going down there and having a wander. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Hello dude! The more I see the ever changing London sky line, the less I recognise it.

Oomoo and I ended up in Covent Garden, going for a wander where we spotted lots of funny little details, like this climber, making a run for it to the neighbouring building.

And then finally, evening. The guy standing in the window is the reason why I took this pic, and when I had a closer look at it, I could see that he was looking straight at me. Sorry guy! That must have been so weird to see someone stop on a busy street and take your picture like that.

Pond life

February 25, 2020 by famapa in everyday life

It started with one swim a week back in September, then eventually two, then four, and from the beginning of January - a daily one. To say that I’m addicted is an understatement. Those few days in the past six weeks when the Kenwood Ladies Pond was shut due to storms completely threw me; a morning without a swim messed my whole routine up, and I didn't feel like I was in my daily groove at all.

From the off I sent a daily picture to my friend Z in Amsterdam, with a temperature update, and some lines about how the swim was, like a little digital postcard. I’m so glad I have, as I now have a visual record of the seasons changing, and also because it’s so dang pretty.

I mean, am I right or am I right?!

The pond you see in all of these pics is not the Ladies Swimming Pond. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, photography is not allowed, but I sneak these of the neighbouring Bird Sanctuary Pond, which kind of looks like painting. The ponds are south facing, so when it’s sunny there are sections of the swims where your face is bathing in sunshine, which feels SO good in the middle of winter.

Now here’s the funny thing... I’m actually not looking forward to spring and summer this year! The water will become warmer and the Pond busier, and having the Pond to myself as I swim (which happens a lot) - will be a distant memory. BUT. What makes me so happy is that I’m now looking forward to next winter, which is kind of brilliant.

My Swedish friend M and I started swimming here after watching The Ponds film at the cinema. We don’t always manage to go together, but we get about two swims in a week. Here she is, drinking hot tea on freezing cold February morning. That hot drink, once you’ve got all your clothes back on, is crucial to get your body temperature back up again. The water temp hasn’t gone below +4 degrees celsius (38F) this winter, which apparently is warmer than usual. I’m so curious to feel the difference between +4 and +1. Maybe next winter?

In my favourite changing spot. As it’s cold, and these days quite wet in this little corner, I usually get it to myself, which I love. I used to get changed in the changing rooms, but as it’s quite small and can get very busy, I try and keep to myself as much as possible and just enjoy that last moment of quiet and nature, before rejoining modern life again. This spot reminds me so much of my childhood in Sweden; the being outside in nature, whatever the weather or season, is the one thing I miss, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to live so close to this magical place. I’m forever pinching myself.

Buddy pic of the week IV

February 21, 2020 by famapa in everyday life

That cat sure has a lot of fur to clean. I hope it tastes like candy floss. Have a great weekend friends!

Roll 2

February 19, 2020 by famapa in 35mm

More film pictures, but this time from my little Olympus XA2. Here’s Oomoo walking through Olafur Eliasson’s ‘Your blind passenger’ installation at Tate Modern last year. I took many many more pictures in there with my DSLR on our previous visit - still need to post those!

Walking across Waterloo Bridge, back in May, after seeing a classical concert at the Royal Festival Hall. It was our first, and I hope to go again one day. When I saw that the London Philharmonic Orchestra were playing Shubert’s Unfinished Symphony I quickly got us tickets to see it, as it’s one of my favourite pieces of music ever. I remember there was an older woman sitting in the seats behind the orchestra, and during the first movement she had her hands clasped under her chin with the lovely smile on her face. She was clearly enjoying it, and maybe hearing it live for the first time too. I could hardly believe it myself, I mean to be able to sit and watch an orchestra play a piece of music almost 200 years old, that’s bloody terrific that is!

Walking home from the overground back in the summer. This section is usually a part of my runs, but I rolled my ankle back in November, and it still doesn’t feel right. Being middle aged sucks when it comes to recovering from injuries :0(

Found a playground halo.

Walking along Fournier St in Spitalfields and travelling in time. It’s lined with beautiful Georgian houses, and I’d love to see the interior in one of them. Positively dreamy. Found this blogpost where you can see what the houses looked like in the 1970’s, compared to now. Back in those days the houses were not the highly desirable ones they are now, and could be bought relatively cheaply.

My mum came to visit back in June, and we went in under this huge tree in Hyde Park. We were not the only ones.

My sister H, taking a pic of these bill posters further down on Fournier St. Isn’t the contrast between the past and the modern day great here?

That’s it for film pics this time round, as my third roll is full of personal pics, and none of them of the ‘taking pictures of loved ones from the back’ type. This was also the roll that had pictures on it from 2016 - Oomoo was tiny in comparison to now! Crazy.