jun, 24th - v&a reading rooms....

day 499:

the great thing about London......is that there is always something new to explore....sometimes, it's something brand new but other times, it's a gem that has just remained undiscovered....it was always just there.

earlier in the week, i went to see this exhibition, on South African photographers, at the V&A. afterwards, i decided to try the V&A Reading Rooms. i'd recently read about them. they're not in the actual museum but across the road, a short walk away.

and what a find. a wonderful collection of books and you are enthusiastically encouraged to browse with a chilled glass of something in your hand....i was there mid morning so i chose a coffee instead. there are nooks throughout the space to settle in and turn some pages.

i found a sunny spot in the window and spent a good hour reading up on a wide selection of topics from the photographers that i had just seen to a history on victorian underwear......there is an eclectic collection in this place. a sweet spot. definitely worth another visit....especially for a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc. 

so, if you're in London - pop into the V&A Reading Rooms, it's like visiting a friend, with a brilliant library AND bar.

jun, 22nd - float like a butterfly....

day 497:

words floating about in my head at the moment: metamorphosis, rebirth, flight (well...at least a severe longing for some travel).....so it was apt that we visited the Natural History Museum's butterfly exhibition yesterday....

the outdoor butterfly house has become an annual event.....and something that i thought Limi would love this year. 

yes, butterflies have become a little overexposed of late (they need to sit their PR company down and sort this out)....popping up at weddings and birthdays, all over stationery and fabrics......it's allowed the lesser known dragon-fly and ladybug to become way more hip.....but there's still something about a butterfly......

their ability to float and gently step down onto the tip of a leaf....watching them is something that will never get tired of.

we had a brilliant morning in the butterfly house......although, yikes, it's like a sauna in there.......perfect for butterflies but not so great for humans wearing more than a swimming costume. so, if you're planning a visit wear the least that you can get away with. then, as you are skipping down the paths after butterflies you won't leave a trail of sweat droplets behind.