Boog's Blog

Early morning, breakfast with Bobby kens and then off to Victoria station to take the train.

However, when we got there, I found the train actually goes from Waterloo station. Southern Railway southwestern Railway they all seem the same.

Fortunately, we got to Waterloo in time

Naturally did not know which car to get on because the tickets didn’t say which coach and we were supposed to get on the coach that had an orange dot on it even the fellow passengers didn’t know which car was which, and which cars went to Southampton. 

That said an excellent train.

The most outstanding part of this trip as far as I’m concerned is that Sharon ‘s breathing has been good. Maybe the pollution of London?

Too cold to use it. 52 at photo time.

Hot tub has been the only disappointment with this fine hotel. They are calling maintenance to see if i am correct about the temp. Apple Watch does not fib!

Late night at the opera. Early morning breakfast before heading to the tour so nicely arranged by Bobbikins.

Well, after getting up bright and early before the sun and having lovely porridge at Gales, the tour was canceled.

We figure the lead soprano must be recovering for about a week. And an amazing performance and amazing amount of energy.

The main difference is this is a student run club where the MIT group was an alumni run club for Angel investors of alumni from MIT

Tomorrow off to Southampton.

Morning, Sunday, barely, breakfast at Bobbikins. Walking and then nap and steak dinner.

Monday:

Went to the Caravaggio exhibit at the National gallery.

After a 30 minute queue you get into the exhibit. It has two paintings and several panels of explanation.

Yes, the full exhibition is two paintings



The main piece:

His demise

Note awaiting commentary by Dee with explanation why we await Dee.

Incredible opera. I don’t know if this was the best performance ever, but it was certainly the best performance I’ve ever seen.

BCAO. National Portrait Gallery , Palmer Gallery, Shopping, SMCG Muru and some of his pieces

A busy day was planned. Breakfast at Bickenhall Mansions (eggs and porridge promised), then an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery – an opportunity to see Muru as he is mostly living in his flat.

National Portrait Gallery

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2024/the-time-is-always-now?_gl=1*8n5mu1*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJRxK2tFAtST4tAe_-GNsYKg5Rbdc7cW0wdxVoDTwu3QoHjlM4GRD0RoCGm8QAvD_BwE

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2024/the-time-is-always-now?_gl=1*8n5mu1*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJRxK2tFAtST4tAe_-GNsYKg5Rbdc7cW0wdxVoDTwu3QoHjlM4GRD0RoCGm8QAvD_BwE

Palmer AI portraits

https://palmergallery.co.uk/exhibitions/11-post-photography-the-uncanny-valley-exhibition-02/overview/

On 17th April 2023, Boris Eldagsen won the Sony World Photography Award in London. However, instead of receiving the award, he confessed that the image he had submitted to the competition had been made in collaboration with various generative Artificial Intelligence systems

https://palmergallery.co.uk/exhibitions/11-post-photography-the-uncanny-valley-exhibition-02/overview/

Other AI works in the range of 1000 to 6000 pounds



Muru’s work

Started with unexpected rain for which we were not properly dressed. Had planned a lovely walk over to the Royal Academy, but taking the tube got in the way.

Arrived at the Royal Academy, slightly damp.

Typical art

Fabulous exhibit of ships, cutouts, and colonial . Black art.

Ships first

Cut outs. The highlight by far of an excellent exhibit.

Interesting pieces

Off to the Garden Museum and a Monet exhibit. Basically a bust

Some great gnomes there so not a total bust.

The plan was the garden museum for Monet and dinner at the museum with…..

Excellent dinner at the museum cafe

Nippy weather today and forecasted for the week. QB will no be complaining about the heat.

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/capturing-the-moment

Exhibit was heavy on photography, some of it the most incredible color compositions put together. One of them was probably 25‘ x 10‘ made 1000s of pictures in color and completely seamless. Apparently took a year. Was homage to Hokusai

Virgin Air this time.

Having flown a number of the majors in the recent years , rating just for comfort of sleeping: Singapore, JAl, UA Polaris, Jet Blue Mint, Virgin.

Flight greatly shortened by turbulence leaving 40 minutes late and arriving 40 minutes early.

After fussing a great deal about the room, lack of things that we had sent notes about to prepare such as having a bathrobe and slippers and towels, amenities and other items working… It’s England. None of the staff seems to speak English or at least the version that we speak. That said they’re all trying hard but understaffed This time we returned to the Holmes unlikely we will come back here again

Lovely dinner withBobbikins

Sea bream.

Dinner was at the Fish house a place we had been to in the past, but is now both lower in price and veteran quality according to Bobbikins.

Oh, central heating in London. The room was cold. Maintenance came up and said it’s is working fine summer temperature now the room was about 61°. We got a space heater.

This is both an introduction and a test of the blog now that is moved to WordPress.

Luxury travel this time, not adventure sleeping in a different bed each night. Hopefully more relaxing and less likely to cause unexpected illnesses.

Cali to London to southhampton to nyc to RI

Earlier than original planned return. Respiratory.