Bomber Command and Manet

The weather continues very cold and wet, but we took advantage of the brief moments of sunshine to visit the memorial to Bomber Command.  It is terifically moving evoking, for those of us old enough to remember, the rumbling monsters from the Second World War. While the fighter pilots protected Great Britain, it was Bomber Command that took the war to the enemy.

While the weather seemed to be holding, we walked to the Royal Academy to see the Manet exhibition.  For much of the route we were in Green Park which, as you can see, was pretty wintery!

A Cold, Wet Green Park

Since we were early, we decided to have lunch at Fortnum and Masons (purveyors to the Royals).  While tourists inevitably flock to Harrods, Fortnum and Masons is, we believe, much classier.  We had a light meal there and delighted in the tea service.  As you can see below, "now that's a tea service!"

On the corner of Duke Street

The Tea Service

An Easter Egg at Fortnum and Mason

Purchasing Tea at Fortnum and Mason

Almost next door to Fortnum and Mason is Hatchards, the oldest bookshop in London dating from the 1790s.  The only words to describe it are "elegant" and "comfortable."  It is the appointed bookseller to HM the Queen, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and HRH the Prince of Wales.

The Manet exhibition was crowded.  Too crowded to really appreciate everything that was on display.  Also, some of Manet's more iconic works were not on display.  Bruce found it a bit dissapointing although there were several wonderful pieces. Especially appealing was a painting of the artist, Berthe Morisot, holding some violets.

Berthe Morisot with Violets