L.A. Day Out

I went with my girlfriends to Downtown L.A. on Sunday, and we had the best day. Our plan was to see the Museum of Contemporary Art, along with a number of beautiful historic buildings, the kinds on the tourist highlight lists.

First stop was a photo opp outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Then we took in the works at the MOCA. It was free to get in, and not all that large, and the pieces were...interesting. That's modern art, right?

I did think this huge block print was cool, and took a photo for Violet, who has been making linoleum stamps.

We then walked a few blocks to the gorgeous Bradbury Building, built in 1893. The details are amazing; it's been featured in tons of television shows and movies.

Bradbury's ceiling, and us. I borrowed nearly every one of these photos from my friends.

Next stop - lunch at Perch, with a drink on the rooftop bar. It was actually pretty darn warm, so a cold drink was welcome.

Then we went to the opulent Biltmore Hotel (opened in 1923) and Los Angeles Central Library (turning 100 this year).

This Chinese vase is part of the hotel's art collection.

This is the Biltmore.

Then, a snack at L.A. Central Market, before a trip on the Angels Flight funicular railway. This ran from 1901-1969, and then had to be moved downt the block because of redevelopment, reopening 30 years later.

I don't remember ever riding it, so it was a fun novelty.

This was such a fun day - I never go downtown because so much of it is dirty and unpleasant. But, we were in the areas that were worth a visit, especially on a gorgeous winter's day, and it felt like we were on a trip together hundreds of miles from home.

Redmond, Part II

 On our first full day, Stace and Uncle Bill went to the Boeing Museum of Flight, something Stace has always wanted to do when we visit. He enjoyed it very much - lots of historic and modern planes.

Meanwhile, Aunt Patty, Violet and I went to a neighboring town to get Violet art supplies at Hobby Lobby. She's been creating print stamps out of linoleum.

We went to a cool coffee shop and did some shopping at a neat area with eclectic, independent shops.

On Saturday, we met up with Will, Anna and Miles at a natural area for a walk. We got there first, had a little walk around and got a photo.

Later, we went to Cottage Lake, where we went kayaking in 2020. Violet was hoping to fish, but signs reported that the lake was closed for fishing for the season.

Stace helped Uncle Bill sand part of his Pontiac.

Winter Break

 Stace went back to work this week, while Violet was still off for Christmas break. Cora started a short 5-week English class to fulfill her English requirements for her AA degree. She also started her theatre class to prep for the upcoming regional college theatre festival.

We had a bit of a normal few days - cleaning, baking, taking walks. Violet is working on new stained glass projects at home, since she received the equipment for Christmas.

Violet and I took a nice walk at Whitney Canyon, where the stream was lovely.

Lots of fungi around too.

Cora worked at her old school to help build the set for the next play, and I went over to help out as I could. Basically, I can sweep and find the right screws and bolts, while Cora and Jarod do the actual work. 

Later in the week, we went to a rehearsal - Cora will be stage managing the show, and I will write a press release, so I interviewed a couple of students.

I took Violet to L.A. so we could go to the Natural History Museum's exhibit on cats. It was worth a visit, though the traffic home made us question that decision a little. 

And we met up with Colleen and Liana at a thrift store in Castaic. I took this photo for Cora, who likes old glassware.

Cora went sliding at the skatepark, and we met up for dinner at California Fish Grill. Stace couldn't meet us because he was at a brewery for a retirement party, and didn't have cell service.

On Friday, I met Kelly for coffee for my birthday, and later had lunch with other friends. Violet and I went to Quigley for a walk and were happy to see new horses in the field near the open space.

A nice, normal week!

Sunday Things

 

I went with my friends to Pasadena on Sunday, to the Asian Pacific Art Museum. It was a small place, but we enjoyed the exhibits, and it was free!

I thought Violet would enjoy the exhibit on music, since she has been interested in old/ancient stringed instruments.

There were even camels to ride!

After the museum, we went out to Jen's favorite Thai restaurant. 

Meanwhile, Stace and Violet went to a music shop to look around and get new picks for the mandolin. 

They also watched our favorite history programs and were inspired to make a medieval apple and pear pie.

When I got home, we went out to the archery range, and then to the store for the ingredients.

Then, they started chopping!

Simple, as it would have been 500 years ago.

But beautiful...

...and delicious!

We watched Fantastic Mr. Fox while enjoying our pie.

London: Tower of London

We packed up Tuesday morning and took our bags down to the hotel's holding closet before walking to the Tower of London. I'd visited on my first trip to London, with JT, in 2001, but hadn't been back since. It's castle, fortress, prison, center of government and museum, holding all manner of fascinating pieces of English history.

Here, we're in front of the White Tower, built by William the Conqueror in the late 11th Century. Now, it's a main part of the museum attraction, with the Royal Armouries and much more inside.

We had to start our day with a tour of the grounds with a Yeoman Warder, who gave us great stories and details with typical dry humor.

Two of the many centuries-old suits of armor, which have been on display for hundreds of years to tourists like us!

The 12th century Valasse Cross was on display, on loan from a French museum for one year. It's bedecked with precious stones from Egypt, Iran, India and beyond, with a relic said to be from Christ's cross inset into the gold.

The cross was displayed here in St John the Evangelist's chapel, within the White Tower. Built as a place of worship for William the Conqueror, it held medieval church services for the royals, and fills the same role today. It is a majestic space.

Above, a bedroom fit for king! King Edward I, to be precise, who reigned in the 13th century. 

We're posing together in the throne room of Wakefield Tower. 

We really enjoyed this day together, learning a lot in our 4-5 hours on the grounds. We toured the rooms used by Sir Walter Raleigh while he was imprisoned at the Tower, and we also saw other prison and torture exhibits.  
 

A crowd gathered to watch the lower bridge go up, to let a tall ship - looked like a wooden old Tall Ship - go through.

Tanks and a Market Day

For my birthday and our Father's Days, Dean bought tickets for the lads, including Euan and Dad, to go to this year's Tank Fest at Bovington Tank Museum. We got to go around the museum and watched live reenactments of tank battles from WWI and WWII as well as demonstrations - driving, not shells - of tanks from the dawn of mechanized warfare all the way to the modern British Army machines.  

The weather stayed dry, we all got a little sunburned, and had a great day out together.

To the side of the main outdoor arena was a field where a First World War trench system had been dug. Reenactors wore period uniforms and had weapons of the era. It was quite eerie in a way.

Meanwhile, the ladies had a shopping day in Langport.

The Langport Vintage Market was a hit.