Nov 2010 a

Tue 02 Nov 2010
And so from our lovely summery visit in Australia, now we're plunged into the depths of a British Autumn.

 

Fri 05 Nov 2010
The one thing that makes the wintery weather bearable is all the fun sociable gatherings and festivals in the run up to Xmas. Tonight is Guy Fawkes night, and although there's a scattering of rain about, that doesn't dampen the spirits across the neighbourhood as random locally bought fireworks are let off from backyards and even various levels of council flats and roofs!
Here's Jen's workmate Lucy as we watch from our lounge room. This is a mash-up of two photos since the fireworks are in focus now too.

 
Sat 06 Nov 2010
Yesterday Ciaran arrived for the final leg of his stay with us. He's definitely had a hard time travelling about so intensely for 3 months and is looking forward to going home to Tasmania. However today the three of us headed off to the V&A museum to see the new Medieval galleries. Here is a photo of Steve and Ciaran as we enjoy a tasty roast lunch in the V&A cafe.

Above: The new medieval galleries are very impressive. They boast at having the only complete Italian Renaissance chapel, outside of Italy (which is beyond this magnificent renaissance choir screen).

Left: The Merode Cup. Approx 1400. This cup's description says: 'Set with tiny inset windows filled with translucent plique-a-jour enamel, this remarkable cup is the only medieval example of a rare technique.' Pretty cool. Other similar cups are described in period accounts, but this is the only one to have survived from the era.

Below: Who knew mosaics came in miniature? Each of these little golden squares seems to be less than a millimeter across!

 And so after seeing many wonderful things, including an entire wooden medieval spiral staircase (4 floors of it), we left the museum. On the way to the tube station home, we briefly enjoyed watching the ice skating outside the Natural History Museum!

Tue 09 Nov 2010 

Ciaran left London, for the other side of the planet today.  

Wed 10 Nov 2010 

Steve went to east London fighter practice and got to fight the new Crown Prince, Vitus. The comment at the end of the night was that Steve's repertiore of well-practiced 'shots/blows' had suddenly seemed to explode. Thanks to the 5 practices in 2 weeks back in Brissie.

 

Sat 13 Nov 2010
This morning Steve collected our good friend Kiriel from the local train station and the three of us set out towards Coventry. Kiriel is an Aussie living in Geneva, and it's great fun to have her come stay again, even if only for the weekend.

So, near Coventry today is the Original Re-enacotr's Market (TORM). After wandering about for two hours, (often bumping into other people we know) Jen had bought extra glasses to fill out our collection, and after a sufficiency of puppy-dog-eyeing about the Craticula (Pompeii oven), we ordered one, for Steve for Christmas. Steve was like a giddy schoolboy!

Kiriel had fun fawning over the musical instruments, but reserved her buying until tomorrow - the main reason for her visit, the Early Music Festival in Greenwich.

Sun 14 Nov 2010
And so here is Kiriel trying out an early period musical instrument with a massive price tag (at right). Unfortunately for her, the finger-holes were too big for her delicate lady-like fingertips, and she was literally unable to play it. Fortunately for her, there were other wonderful instruments which she did buy.

Below: Here's the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich - one of two rooms with early period (style) instruments for sale.

 

Below left: Kiriel tries another instrument out. This one doesn't quite make the grade.



RIght: A portative organ, with an astonishing price tag. Jen did give this one a test-drive. Interestingly, not so comfortable for a left hander!

At the end of the day, Kiriel and Jen both bought three musical instruments. Jen's were all percussion, and totalled to £33! Kiriel bought a soprano crumhorn made from beautiful boxwood, which included three interchangeable end attachments for affecting the sound. She also bought this sweet sounding wire-strung lyre.

The glasses and the percussion
Jen acquired over the weekend.

Terry caught up with Jen and Kiriel for a quick drink in a nearby pub, and finally K and J made their way home. Steve whipped up a Tasty beef wellington, to round out the perfect weekend!

  

Mon 15 Nov 2010
Early this morning Steve drops Kiriel off at the local City Airport, and its back to work for us both.