Having a Lie Down

I was in Tate Modern last Monday, and whenever I’m there I can’t resist standing on the first floor balcony that overlooks the massive old Turbine Hall and indulging in a few minutes of people-watching.

I spotted this man lying flat on his back montionless, and he just stayed there, his daughter alongside. I felt rather envious of him. It was gone four o’clock in the afternoon and I still hadn’t had time to eat lunch let alone have an after lunch siesta.

It’s been a manic fortnight. First there was the visit to see the Poppies at the Tower of London and the poignant listening to the Roll of Honour at dusk (click here to view that Post). Then I made a day trip to Compton Verney in Warwickshire to see an outdoor installation of Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin sculptures. That was a real treat for me and the camera.

And then this past Monday I had a truly memorable day in London that involved shooting with a Leica M, seeing the Matisse ‘Cutouts’ exhibition at Tate Modern, and a river walk. (More about all that next week).

Those three trips have yielded over 500 images that I’m slowly getting to grips with, and frankly I feel a little boggle-eyed from all I’ve seen.

So, I feel a little envious of this man lying flat on his back. I could do with a lie down just to refresh the brain. But I’m back in London this Sunday and then off to Greenwich on Tuesday to see the end of the Tall Ships Festival. And today there is news of another un-missable exhibition in London – Abram Games, the Designer ‘Designing the 20^th Century: Life and Work of Abram Games’ from Sept 8 – Jan 4 at the Jewish Museum NW1.

Whoever thought retirement was the time to sit down and put your feet up?