Half-Term Activities

I.  The Imperial War Museum

The first official day of half-term was a Monday, and Mom and I had it all to ourselves.  We immediately decided to head off to the Imperial War Museum.  We saw an exhibition on "Children of the Blitz" (children who had been sent away from London to avoid the bombing of the city by the Germans).  It showed things about school, included things such as letters, and it even had a typical house from London during the Blitz, which you could go into.  At the end, there was a little newsreel (brief movie) showing people celebrating the end of the war, but it also had a few things about how the children felt when they came back to the city from the countryside and other places outside London.  For example, one girl hadn't seen her parents for years, and they couldn't recognize each other when they were supposed to meet on the train platform.  We also went into a model trench from World War I -- a trench is where soldiers stayed before going out and fighting -- which had life-size  soldiers writing letters home, talking, cooking, going out from the trench to fight, and helping the wounded.

The Children's War - Morrison Shelter: air raid shelter in 1941  You sleep in it!  You ate on top of it!  ou could get a little tired of being in it!

World War One trench exhibit at the Imperial War Museum London

We also went in a pretend submarine and learned about accidents and sinking.  And, lastly, we went into a pretend bomb shelter: it was totally dark, the benches shook, and we could hear people talking and singing, trying to cheer themselves up.  After that, we walked down a pretend street and saw the ruins of houses and stores that were burning after the bombs had dropped.  In the bomb shelter, we sat next to a grandmother and her grandson.  She could remember being in a shelter during World War II as a child and she recalled the musty smell.  It was all a little scary.

II.  Mom's Work

My mom works at "The Junction,"and I had to go with her on half-term Tuesday so she could drop off some papers.  The Junction is in a narrow building without much space.  The Junction is where my Mom works with clients who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, such as heroin.  The people who work with her are from all different cultures.  Fred is from Scotland, Isaac is from Canada, Devika is from India, and Chinye is from Nigeria.  There are lots more people, but that would be too much to go into. 


III. Wonderful Wednesday

My Mom sometimes goes running in a park called Wormwood Scrubs, and finally on a wet Wednesday morning she took me there to see the birds and the nature.  It had open football fields and little clusters of undergrowth.  I had a good time there listening to the chirping of the birds.  After we got back home and ate lunch, we went out again.  We went to see the movie The King's Speech about King George VI whose father dies and the next king, his brother David, leaves the throne, to marry an American divorced woman.  This means that King George the VI, also known as Bertie, has to be king now, and he is a stammerer (sometimes stumbles over his words).  The hero is his Australian speech therapist, Dr. Loeb, who uses very interesting methods, like swearing, to help him and asks him all these strange questions.

The king, his wife and their two girls (Elizabeth and Margaret). I don't think they are the jokey sort.

IV:  Isobel and Her Kids 

On Thursday, we went to meet Mom's workmate Isobel and her eight-year-old girl Neve and six-year-old boy Fergal.  We couldn’t find them at the tube station where we had planned to meet—until we got paged!  When we did find them, we walked, or I should say zig-zagged all over, to Borough Market (in Southwark).  We walked through the market and smelled some Stinking Bishops cheese, which everyone hated but me!  Then we ate lunch in the gardens of Southwark Cathedral.  There we saw a European robin and a … fox!  (There are foxes in London, and both my Mom and Dad have seen them on their runs and rides through town.)  Next we went to the "Poetry Corner" at Southbank Center, where we sat and wrote poems.  There was also a kids' area, where kids could run around; and there we had a big PILLOW fight.  Overall, it was a fantastic day—and, I forgot, we had a Flake (vanilla ice cream with a milk-chocolate 'stick')!

V:  British Museum

We used the Friday of half-term to go to the British Museum.  First, we all wandered up to the first floor, where Dad and I looked at some old clocks.  We saw many lovely clocks, very complex, with all sorts of moving parts and things that chimed (like a church bell).  There were  beautiful and exquisite clocks: for example, two tall wooden "grandfather" clocks, with well thought out marquetry designed in the shape of birds, flowers, and other animals.  I love marquetry and I like to think about cutting out and fitting together all the pieces—which, though very tiring and difficult work, sounds like fun!

Long-case clock, wood marquetry, made in England by John Draper ( 1700-1710), BM

Next we went to the room "Europe 1400-1800," and here are a few things that stood out in my mind:  There was a figurine of man, meant to be an allegory of "Winter" (dressed in winter clothes, with a muff that had wrinkles), made out of white ceramic.  I found it very beautiful and wondrous.  There were also two plates, one with a gray dog chasing a butterfly, with small drawings of bugs and plants on the rim; the other was clear glass with a green-leaf design.  I also saw some blue and white salt-glazed stoneware, earthenware (unglazed), and a ewer designed to look like a shell with glass coral (orange!).  I also discovered a new type of glass called potash-lime glass.  When it was time to leave, Dad pointed out a cup made from elephant and rhino tusks; there was also a cup with amber on it and things made out of mother of pearl.

Hunting horn of ivory, of European form (1490-1530), British Museum (similar to the one I saw)

VI:  A Day in the Eighteenth Century (Really!)

On the next day, a sunny Saturday, we headed out for some fun at the Wallace Collection.  They were putting on a "Day in the Eighteenth Century" program, with special actors and singers!  We first went to listen to a singer who was accompanied by a harpsichordist, both wearing fancy wigs and dresses.  Next we went to do a craft project, where we designed with colored pencils and pictures two golden boxes, which had patterns on them.  (I now use mine to keep all my beloved treasures in.)  We then went to another craft booth, where Dad and I designed our own "service":  paper plates, which would be used for "special" occasions (like the special porcelain services at the Wallace, used by kings and queens).  We also got to meet and listen to Madame de Pompadour—it was really an actress!  (On the way, I stopped and played some betting games with fake money—really fun!—and the two people running these games wore elaborate costumes.)  Madame de Pompadour, who wore a fancy pink dress, spoke to the audience about her relationship with King Louis XV; what it was like at court; her favorite artists; and her likes and dislikes.  After that we went to hear a bit from Voltaire—but he was boring, so we moved on!  Mom and I went to finish our boxes, while Dad went to hear a talk about the museum's famous collection of Sevres (porcelain).  It was, all in all, a fantastic day and an experience that was different from any other I have had.

Madame de Pompadour, painted by François Boucher [her favorite artist!], (1759), Wallace Collection

Madame de Pompadour, the actress (which one do you think is prettier?

VII:  Dinner with Family of Four

The final day of half term began as a bright Sunday morning, and I went for a good four-mile run with my Dad in Hyde park.  There we saw baby ducklings with their mother and father!  Fortunately for us, since I love nature, we noticed a tourist taking pictures and asked if he might be able to send us some photos—and he did!  (He was a nice Italian named Frederico.)

Make Way for Ducklings, Hyde Park Edition!

Later, at around 1:00, we left the house for an outing in a terribly rainy world.  We walked five cold, hand-freezing, shoe-drenching miles, until we reached Kenwood House (in Hampstead Heath).  Dad and I circulated through the galleries almost three full times; and we finally compared three of our favorite paintings in the museum, all in the same room:

1. a self-portrait by Rembrandt around age 60, with two circles in the back (the story goes as follows:  a famous medieval Italian artist Giotto wanted to show his artistic skill, so he drew a perfect circle—as did the ancient artist Apelles, they also say—and Rembrandt was trying to show that he could do that, too).

2. a portrait of Pieter van den Broecke by Frans Hals, with wild hair and very detailed ruffles

3. a guitar player by Johannes Vermeer, showing a woman with funny curly hair

And the winner was:  Rembrandt!  Second place went to Hals, and coming in third was Vermeer. 

Next we walked two more miles to Sarah and Boaz's house.  There I played with Ottilie (we did bother Isaac, too) and with the family pet, a brown rabbit called Muffin.  We also had delicious Sunday dinner.  So, after eleven miles, loads of paintings, hours of playing, yummy roasted chicken and potatoes, and torrential cold rain, I discovered the London truth:  that even horrible weather cannot dampen a wonderful, final half-term-holiday day!

Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, ca. 1665-1669, Kenwood House

Frans Hals, Pieter van den Broecke, 1633, Kenwood House

Jan Vermeer, The Guitar Player  (1632-75), Kenwood House

Dad Day, Fun Day, Sunday!

I:  One Saturday in mid/late February, after Dad returned from Hyde Park and his morning run, he and I went off to Tony's.  Generously, Tony offered us some minced apple pies.  After we came home and had breakfast, we packed up stuff that we planned to work on and headed off to the V&A.  When we got there, Dad and I went up to his office to do work—yes, work!  Dad works in the Research Department, on the fifth floor, above the crowded museum galleries.  He has a small but nice office, and sometimes he also works in the National Art Library (also in the V&A building).  But today, we were sitting side-by-side, in his office, working on our various projects (for me) and books (for Dad).  We also had tea and treats:  peppermint tea for me, and also Spanish marzipan, molasses cookies, and Tony's pies.  We took an afternoon break and went down to the galleries at 3.30, where we looked at beautiful textiles, which their makers must have worked very hard on!  The lace had very fine detail, and I remember one sample of lace showing acorns and leaves.  Though very noisy and crowded, the V&A is quiet upstairs, and I got a lot of work done—plus fun chattering with Dad (whom I also call "Pai")!

Band of hair lace, England (1625-1675), at the VAM

II:  As usual on Sunday … I had a run with Dad in the park (!), and this began our eventful day.  After breakfast, Dad and I headed out to Leighton House, a museum that used to be the home of Frederic, Lord Leighton, an architect and painter, who also collected beautiful objects from, and designed rooms after, the Middle East (Orient style).  We admired the splendid Arab Hall, which had a little fountain, a kind of Syrian/Egyptian window covering with holes, and a domed ceiling.  We also went into the Narcissist Hall, with a shining gold ceiling and ash-blue tiles (Narcissist was in love with his own reflection).  In front of the stairwell, there was a gorgeous peacock sitting on a couch that had been made from a Muslim wedding chest (no one ever sat on it, though!).  It was awesome!

Arab Hall, Leighton House Museum

Next we walked to Nuria's house (a kid from school).  Dad had bumped into her father one day on his bike ride to work and, after they chatted a bit, Nuria's father invited us all over for a Sunday Lunch plus playdate at their house.  Nuria is on Year Four (3rd grade) and has a brother Aniol, who is five.  We had seafood paella, a Spanish dish with rice, shrimp, monk fish, and calamari rings—very tasty!  Playdates are hard to get in London state primary schools, so this was a real treat.

Seafood Paella:  amazing we haven't dug in yet!

Conclusion:  I love my London weekends and I love spending time with my Dad!

Fri, Sat, Sun

I:  Weekends are often spent going on long, fun outings, and, almost always on Fridays, we spend an evening out at a museum or do another cool cultural thing.  The first weekend in February was no exception.  Mom and I walked to the Tate Britain to meet Dad for "Late Tate" (music and art).  There we looked mostly at Constable and Turner paintings:  Dad and I admired Turner's early and late stuff and saw an exhibition on his use of line and color; Mom spent her time sketching.  The Turner exhibition showed what the eye saw and how that can change.  For example, they had a black box with a bright light inside; after looking at it, if you closed your eyes, you could see the image of the light appear to you again (vaguely).  There was also a (loud!) music installation, which was really annoying!  I like the Tate, since it has lots of different kinds of art.

 John Constable, Flatford Mill (`Scene on a Navigable River'), 1816-17, Tate Britain

On Saturday evening, we walked to Stephanie and Doug's house for a house-warming party.  On the way we saw a type of stork or heron flying above us, which was really magical.  And on Sunday, after   some small errands, we went to the "Little Draw" at the Wallace Collection.  Little Draw is a monthly activity where kids (and even adults) meet in a specific gallery and try to draw something with help from a drawing instructor.  This time it was held in the "Great Gallery," which is long hall and grand gallery that includes the museum's most famous paintings:  Frans Hals, The Laughing Cavalier, Titian, Perseus and Andromeda (Mom's favorite), and the painting I drew of Titus, who was Rembrandt's son.

Rembrandt, Titus, the artist's son, 1657, Wallace Collection

II:  The following Friday, we went to the V&A.  There was a concert in the Norfolk House Music Room (in the British Galleries), so we went there and, in the fairly crowded room, watched a viola player and a pianist.  Then Dad and I went to the porcelain galleries, where we looked at old English ceramics.  Then we looked at the Dutch ceramics to try to find a "puzzle jug," which is a jug with all sorts of holes in it; the trick is to drink from it without spilling all over yourself!  Finally we went to look at some ceramic bowls among the European stuff, and  I spotted 75 snuff jars from all over Asia and Europe:  all different colors, textures, shapes and sizes, and all with interesting designs.

Snuff bottles, China, 18th century, half coral bead set in metal [stopper] and carved nephrite jade [snuff bottle]

On Saturday, we went to Tony's, and then we took a fun walk in the market--it was quite an adventure!  We walked through Portobello Market and got pig-crackling samples from a man who has a stall with a big, dead, roasted pig!  We also popped into Garcia, one of the Spanish delis, which had some great jamón serrano and cheese tasters.  Next, on to Golborne Road, where we got mussels from our favorite fish monger (Golborne Fisheries).  We also wandered into a gallery/shop, which had the owner's exotic collection of stuff:  a stuffed peacock, dead butterflies, animal (and human?) skulls, and two small yellow birds (live!) outside.  And then, on our way back home, we passed by a popular stall that sold sandwiches with lamb and chicken kabobs.  There Dad noticed our award-winning crepe maker--I'll explain.  In Portobello, whilst we stroll along, we usually check in at the many crepe stalls to marvel at the crepe makers.  We even started a crepe "Olympics," where we judge the stalls by their spreading, folding, flipping, and other crepe-making techniques.  Our award-winning stall also has an award winning crepe-maker (a man), whom we got to meet as we walked along Golborne Road.  His name is Jemal, and he is very nice (he invited us for a 'gratis' crepe).

Jemal, our Portobello Market "Olympian" crepe maker (so famous, we found a picture of him on the web!)

That Sunday, I went for a run with Dad, as usual, and for breakfast we had pancakes.  Valentine's Day was the following Monday, so I went out with Mom to buy Dad some licorice tea.  It turned out that V. Day was super, and I got lovely cards and cookies from Mom and Dad.

III:  One more weekend:  The next Friday night, Mom and I walked to the National Gallery.  Once we got there (and after our usual pre-art snack!), Dad and I went to look at the Old Masters.  First we looked at paintings from the medieval times, when they were crazy about Jesus!  Then we headed to the Van Eyck room, which has the famous "Arnolfini Portrait"; but Dad and I also ogled over "A Man in a Red Turban," also by Van Eyck, who painted the turban with very detailed folds and knots.  I also loved a painting on pear wood of St. Jerome (with lots of animals) by Albrecht Durer.  The National Gallery is one of the many places in London with endless, entertaining art!

Jan van Eyck, Portrait of a Man (Self Portrait?), 1433

Albrecht Dürer, Saint Jerome, ca. 1496

Modern London

I:  The Saatchi Gallery

On another January Sunday (23/1), I went for my usual run with dad.  After that, we made plans to meet Andrew, Emma, Stephanie and Doug Smith, friends of ours also living in London for the year.  The Saatchi is a museum-size gallery of contemporary art.  We explored the galleries on our own, since A, E, S, and D only came to eat lunch and left after eating.  In the galleries we saw one sculpture called The Piano Lesson made out of all sorts of  media; it made a "visual pun" (Dad calls it) by hanging a house "key" off one part of the sculpture (get it:  piano "key"!).  I also remember the work of a woman who used pictures of her family when they were children and then staged similar pictures with her family members as adults (brother, mother, sister, herself, and so on). To help you understand the exhibition, they had on the top floor pictures of all the artists.  Finally, there were also some cool art works by kids, which was fascinating and inspiring.  It was very nice.

Clarisse d'Arcimoles Petit Roi (My Brother) 2009 at the Saatchi.

II: Tate Modern

The very next Sunday, dad and I went for … another run!  After breakfast, we all headed out to meet Marta (Dad's colleague), Bruno, Cecilia, and Isadora at the Tate Modern, a modern museum of modern art.  I hung out with M, I, and C, ate a bit of lunch and had a hot cocoa, while my parents watched a film that Bruno had made [ed:  about David Hockney].  Then dad, Ceci, and I went to the galleries to look at some art, including pink cow wallpaper (by Andy Warhol) and a block of wood that had been carved into a tree!  Next, we went to the members lounge, where M, I, and B were hanging out.  We got another hot chocolate!

Two conclusions:  While I am not so fond of contemporary architecture, I do like modern and contemporary art.  And when I look at modern and contemporary art, I get ideas for my own pieces, which I want to do.