London

For our 40^th wedding anniversary, we went to London.  The British Museum had a special display on Pompeii and Herculaneum that we wanted to see.  These are the two cities in Italy that were buried under ash in 79 AD in just 24 hours by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.  What was preserved and dug up 1600 yrs. later is remarkable.  Herculaneum was hit by a super-heated ash flow that came down the side of the mountain.  It sucked the moisture from all the organic material and left wood and food carbonized.  Pompeii was buried in an ash fall that collapsed buildings, but left wall paintings intact. Everyday life in a Roman town has been revealed by the items found in these two cities.

Mural from a home
 

Wooden Chest that has been carbonized

Door mouse Jar and loaf of bread behind it.

The Door mouse jar was used to fatten door mice as they were considered a delicacy. Food was placed in the top most cup like shapes and the door mice who lived in the bottom would climb up the layers eat and then hide again in the lower sections.

Carbonized cradle

 We attended a production of Jersey Boys Saturday night.  It is a musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  Great music and amazing singers.

We stayed near Kensington Gardens and walked through them on Sunday on our way to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  A beautiful park, it was full of families with small children.

Kensington Palace from Garden side

Elf Oak in Kensington Garden

 The Victoria and Albert Museum holds the world’s top collection of decorative arts.  What I found most impressive was the room of plaster casts.  These are full size copies of major sculptures, statues, doors, altar pieces and grave stones.  

Trajan's Column

Michelangelo’s David is one of these.  It was in a room they are working on, and you could see into it from one of the walk ways. I was amazed at the size of it.  From pictures I’d thought it was life size. It is probably 24 feet tall. 

Michelangelo's David

Trajan’s Column is also there from the center of Rome’s forum. The number and size of the pieces in the room is overwhelming.  One of the most amazing artifacts in the glass collection is a glass jar about 2 inches high that was made in 1400 BC. 

Glass Jar from 1400 BC

We had lunch in the cafeteria at the museum.  Great fresh cooked meal and the surroundings were impressive too.
 



Victoria and Albert Café with tiles on the walls.  Through the door the room behind has an amazing fireplace and mantel.