London - June 2024

We went down to London on the train on Wednesday and are staying in Ian and Denise's flat near Tower Bridge which they have very kindly lent us.  On the first evening we went to see the play Fawlty Towers which is based on three episodes of the TV series, whilst we know the script almost by heart it was very enjoyable and the acting, especially by the actor playing Manuel, was good.  
Next day started badly, we were going to visit Ham House, yet another NT house, but because of a suicide on the District Line getting there was proving difficult so we abandoned that idea and went to the V&A and Science Museums instead. Not a wasted day but not what we planned.  In the evening another theatre trip, this time to see The Boys from the Blackstuff at the National Theatre.  It was very well done, quite a difficult subject to pitch at the right level, not overdoing the desperation of the unemployed which would could be overwhelming but at the same time not trivializing it. A memorable evening.

Friday morning was spent in the British Museum learning about being a Roman soldier.  The picture shows the only fully preserved Roman shield which for some reason was not fitted with the metal boss which covers the hand.  It might be that this shield was never used. I always assumed that all Roman soldiers wore the same army issue uniform but it turns out they had to buy their own and some were second hand so they were not quite as smart in appearance than the films portray. 

To make up for Thursdays disappointment we took the tube out to Hampstead to view Fenton House, a rather fine 17th century house with a fine collection of old instruments owned by the National Trust.  Even better they had a couple of musicians playing the very old harpsichords so a pleasant afternoon.