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As the blue door (above) of 82 Inverness Terrace Hyde Park closed behind me I became officially homeless. A mix up in the booking of my bed and breakfast accommodation meant that I had no bed for the night! Fortunately my lovely nephew Drew came to the rescue and let me stay with him and his housemate for the night. After dropping off my suitcase at the B&B who also very kindly let me do this, and after receiving counselling from the cabbie who took me there who thought my husband had deserted me (I think,) I regrouped in a local cafe and decided to take myself off to the Victoria and Albert Museum where I could leave my overnight backpack in the cloak room and wander the museum getting my breath back. I did spend about four hours there-at first thinking maybe it wasnt for me looking at all those, albeit wonderful, objects from everywhere-too much for my old brain. However I began to settle down and take it in (after my traumatic morning), The building itself is breathtaking with a marvellous courtyard and pool in which you are allowed to paddle (not swim!), The atmosphere slightly downgraded by the large TV showing the Olympic tennis final.
In my wandering I came across a very large room full of 16th Century tapestry-it was slightly darkened to help preserve the materials and so was very soothing and contemplative to wander around. For some time I was the only person in the room and I had to marvel that, given the number of people in London at the moment, here was I quietly sitting in a darkened room on my own with acres of tapestry made 500 years ago. That was a lovely moment.
I then stumbled across the adjacent room which housed part of the theatre and stage collection of archives and information- everything from costumes to scripts to the history of producing,directing,lighting-EVERYTHING and not just traditional stage but rock/pop etc. (see the photos). Mick Jagger's all in one white getup being just one highlight!
You always have to go to the shop at every museum and art gallery and find something essential so of course I did that!!
That night was spent watching the 100 metres sprint final on TV with my nephew and housemate-also having a great dinner cooked by said nephew.
Finally the next day I was able to move into my bed and breakfast in Nottinghillgate- delightful- but that will be my next blog!!
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