By Christine Swan
The weather last weekend was beautiful. I had booked a weekend in London to watch two plays and to fill the rest of my time as I pleased. I caught the train to Paddington and after a worrying episode of will it, or won’t it shed its passengers at Reading, due to a cracked rail, fortune favoured us and we continued to our destination.
I walked across Hyde Park, skirting around Round Pond and onto Kensington High Street, towards my hotel home for the weekend in Earl’s Court. As a young student, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was my manor. My gran informed me that: “That’s where all the Toffs live!” During the 1980s, I don’t remember there being too many Toffs in Earl’s Court. Chelsea was slightly different – Sloanes, New Romantics and slightly older punks vied for attention on the Kings Road, as did I of course. It was a challenge to create fabulous looks on a student budget, but army surplus, a frilly pirate shirt and gold ankle boots seemed to fit the bill. I decided that a weekend of reminiscing would be a tonic.
After checking into my hotel, I fell into a deep sleep and woke up just in time to dash out to the underground station to get to my first theatre visit of the weekend. The working week and warm weather had knocked me for six but, by some miracle, I still made it on time. I have seen some great theatre productions so far this year, which I will review in a future post.
This has to be the finest hotel room for a lover of all trains – including the underground. Surprisingly, I couldn’t hear any of them!
The following morning I decided to visit a museum. After a good rest, I rose and breakfasted early, and headed off. As I had predicted, the Natural History and Science Museums had snaking queues at their entrance already, so I walked on to the Victoria and Albert Museum, affectionately known as the V&A. My time was limited so I chose to visit the Performing Arts gallery, but became distracted by jewellery, which isn’t hard to do.
The Natural History Museum looking splendid in the spring sunshine
I chose the V&A and avoided the queues
The Jewellery Gallery is darkened to highlight the beauty of each piece. The lit cabinets cause gems to dazzle, metal to shine, and colours to pop. Here are pieces from centuries ago, through glorious Victoriana, to modern wonders. Not all jewellery contains precious metals and stones, instead, I found myself fascinated by a necklace constructed from broken fragments of old clay pipes. I did enjoy standing very close to Queen Victoria’s sapphire and diamond encrusted crown and Beyonce’s diamond butterfly brooch.
The Roman who wore these beautiful earrings had similar taste to my own
There are statement rings – and then there are statement rings
One of these pendants has a message on the reverse, and the other a miniature
I was drawn to these coral and turquoise designs from the nineteenth century
Queen Victoria’s diamond and sapphire crown
These modern earrings appealed to me greatly. Museums provide great inspiration for design
A modern necklace fashioned from broken pieces of old clay pipes
Beyonce’s bling
Ancient jewellery is just as impressive
After my delightful diversion, I headed for the Performing Arts gallery. I walked past the Leighton Gallery, dedicated to the work of Frederic Leighton, whose house I recently visited.
The Performing Arts gallery covers all aspects and elements of the craft, but I feel that there is a huge archive and repository of items not on display, and I wondered how you begin to select which to choose to exhibit. I achieved the same, when deciding which to photograph.
A fan letter from Judi Dench to Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh’s dress worn when playing Cleopatra
Judi Dench’s costume when playing the same role
David Bowie’s lyrics for Blackstar
I headed back out into the sunshine and bought coffee and cake and found a table. A starling perched on the chair opposite me and cocked his head on one side. Before I could even say hello, the starling swooped and took a beak full of cake. “Hey, cheeky!” I said in surprise, but the starling was already plotting a second attack. I decided that I could, and should, eat far quicker than a starling can. Thus their plan was foiled.
The Cromwell Road entrance/ exit is so impressive
I left the V&A and walked towards Knightsbridge.
London seems to still find space for street trees – this garden sponsored by Louis Vuitton
Kings Road looking magnificent
For old times’ sake- my former university building still looking great
I couldn’t have put it better myself – seen on my old Chemistry building
Vivienne Westwood’s World’s End shop – I was pleased to see the clock working again and some fantastic murals of the lady herself
I walked to the site of my old Biology building, which has long since been converted into apartments. I must have walked between campus buildings hundreds of times but, as an undergraduate, I found it an inconvenience, but today it was a joy. A joy to remember carefree days, with few responsibilities or cares. I never excelled, but plodded along satisfactorily.
I walked towards Brompton Cemetery but Fulham Road was closed to traffic, indicating that Chelsea Football Club were playing at home. I checked the time and asked what time the match was due to end, “About now”, was the answer.
The stand at Stamford Bridge as seen from Brompton Cemetery
An exodus from Stamford Bridge indicated that it was time for me to depart, however, I was surprised to encounter many women and small children dressed in blue and white as it was the female team that had been playing that afternoon.
I continued my circular walk back towards Earl’s Court and headed towards Redcliffe Square and Gardens. In my first year of university, we were advised to be quick to secure accommodation for the second year. One advertised flat was in Redcliffe Gardens, perfectly placed for the short walk to the university – meaning no more early starts such as those needed to travel from Tooting as I had experienced in my first year. With high hopes, myself and two friends arrived, only to find a long queue of other potential residents. The letting agent arrived and unlocked the door. The long line of people entered, looked around at the damp and falling ceilings, dirty carpets, and most curious of all, a shower cubicle in the middle of the kitchen. The queue continued, like a conga line, all heading in one direction – straight in and straight back out again. We tried to see the potential, but decided that the longer trek from Tooting was preferable, even though the opulence of the buildings of Redcliffe Gardens was attractive. In fact, they appear far more attractive now, as all appear to have been renovated to a good standard, and the park creates a little community.
Redcliffe Gardens
I chose to sit in the park and read my book for an hour before returning to my hotel ready for the evening’s performance. It was a great weekend of memories. New ones made and those remembered. As my hotel was close to Earl’s Court tube station, I walked past the police telephone box, which fans of Doctor Who will recognise as the shape of the Tardis. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to travel back in time and be a student again? I almost felt as if I had.
Earl’s Court station with the famous police telephone box outside
More information
The Victoria and Albert Museum – https://www.vam.ac.uk
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