Monday 27 February 2023

Guess that like Punxsutawney Phil, I saw my own shadow and returned to my hole - and reports that I'd emerged from hibernation were premature. I was so cross with myself on Friday evening for letting the day slip away that at 7pm I grabbed my coat and set out for the V&A and Donatello ... what an inspired idea and why don't I do this more often! There was hardly a soul there and I communed in peace with perky spiritelli and Madonnas holding properly wriggly babies.
Nearly 600 years old ... but so alive you could imagine him in Florence today, standing at the bar with his espresso or a glass of Chianti. After 40-odd years of living in London, I still sometimes feel awestruck at what I can access with my old-lady travel-pass within 30 mins of home.

7 comments:

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

The spiritelli (the sculpted bust of the man who looked very monkish to me?)was fantastic. So very life like. Ah, the beauty of London; being able to access hundreds of amazing spaces in a short time! More power to your old lady pass, Mary.
xxx

Mary said...

So lifelike, he stopped me in my tracks. But spiritelli are lively little Cupid-y sprites who feature in many of the bas-reliefs. Sorry, not very clear from what I wrote - especially as Blogger won't let me do paragraphs these days.
I love my bus-pass! Only good thing about getting old!

Pam said...

He's amazing. I wonder where you lived before London? I myself couldn't live there - far too big and scary. And the tube! - whizzing about underground - very alarming. But it does have good museums, which I enjoy via your blog, so thank you.

Mary said...

I love London, Pam - always remind myself how lucky I am to be here after growing up in the NW. Which I've never missed! I even love the Tube - whizzing about underground is so efficient! Most days, at least!

Pam said...

I can't get used to there being so many people in London, none of whom I know. In Edinburgh, you can't walk along the main street without meeting someone. Harder to lead a double life, I suppose. And I agree that the tube is efficient, but can't help imagining bombs - how would you ever get out? It's being so cheerful... You don't miss being near the Lake District?

Mary said...

Well, you won't necessarily meet someone walking down the street, Pam - but I often run into people I know in art galleries or at the theatre - and then, of course, London is a conglomeration of villages so you do run into people on your own patch. But to be honest, I like anonymity. And although the Lake District is lovely, I'd be getting fidgety after a week. I think cities are great for older people - good free transport and everything on your doorstep. Anyway, we're not completely bricked up here - I can be strolling along the river in 10 mins, 20 mins to cows, deer and polo ponies!
I do feel a bit boring not having a double life, though ... have I left it too late to acquire three husbands and a career as a spy?

Pam said...

I think one husband is quite enough for anyone to train. I'm probably a country person, just one who never managed to get out of the city. I'd ideally like to live on an island where I knew everyone. Or so I think, anyway!