Final Day with Johanna...

Today was another big walking day as we made our way across town towards St Paul’s Cathedral. 

I’d read that there was a free viewing platform overlooking the cathedral, but it was closed that day. Instead we went to the rooftop bar next door so we could enjoy a drink with a view instead.

On our walk home, we passed by Infinite Accumulation, a newly installed sculpture by Yayoi Kusama in front of the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street Station. Known for artworks with repeated polka dots, with a height of 33 feet (10 meters), width of 39 feet (12 meters) and length of 328 feet (100 meters), this sculpture really takes dots to the next level. Such a fun visit!

Three days later, Jimmy and I were in the area so I’ve included these photos to show how it looked with a blue sky...

…and our attempt at a selfie.

 

Sir John Soane’s Museum...

On Johanna’s final full day in town, we opted to see one London’s quirkiest museums: Sir John Soane’s Museum.

What was originally the home of one of England’s greatest neo-classical architects, it became a museum upon his death in 1837. 

A Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy, Sir Soanes was a dedicated collector of paintings... 

…sculptures...

…and architectural fragments.

While much of the museum may have appeared crowded and chaotic, we really enjoyed it.

 

The Queen’s House...

Since Johanna had already been to London several times, I tried to fill the rest of her visit with less traditional places to visit. Next up was Greenwich. Built in 1635, the Queen’s House was a royal residence for just seven years on the grounds of what was once Greenwich Palace. From 1806 it was the center of the Royal Hospital School for the sons of seaman and in 1937 it became part of the National Maritime Museum. This painting from approximately 1690 celebrates the remodeling of Greenwich Park.

The Sea Maidens

This painting from 1886 by Evelyn de Morgan might have been inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid where the brokenhearted doesn’t necessarily live happily ever after. 

Transport

By painting a bar code on such a large scale over a cargo ship, this artwork from 2006 draws attention to mass consumerism and its impact on the world. 

There was art everywhere you turned, including on the ceiling. 

This portrait of Elizabeth I was painted around 1588 just after England defeated the Spanish Armada.

The coolest architectural feature was the Tulip Staircase. Made of ornate wrought iron, it was Britain’s first geometric and unsupported staircase. As I stood there it wasn’t its history that impressed me, but rather its beauty.

 

Seeing Art with Johanna...

On August 4, 2024, just as Jimmy was at the Eurostar terminal catching a train to Brussels, I was at City Airport meeting Johanna who had come from The Hague for a four-night stay. The following day was full of art and sightseeing. We started with an eclectic exhibition at Saatchi Gallery.

If you look closely, you can spot Johanna in Chelsea on They Were on a Wild Ride to a Safer Place with Rabbitwoman and Dogman, which we had encountered earlier in the year near Tower Bridge.

Next we went to see Chihuly at Chelsea Barracks, featuring colorful blown glass displayed in fountains...

…and flower beds.

Our next stop was Battersea Power Station. 

We enjoyed a late lunch at Tattershall Castle with its great view of the London Eye.

We continued the theme of bars with iconic views as we took a break from our long walk along the Thames to enjoy a drink at The Bar in front of the HMS Belfast. 
 

Final Bits of Berlin...

Luckily I managed to fall back to sleep after seeing sunrise at 4:37am. 

While the guys worked, I spent the day with Fleshmob and some other visiting hashers from Edinburgh. During our long walk from the East Gallery, we saw the Oberbaum Bridge, a double-decker bridge with subway trains crossing on the top since 1902. 

Next we went up the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower). built in 1969 as a functioning broadcasting facility and a symbol of communist power. At 1,207 feet (368 meters) tall, it is still the tallest structure in Germany. 

The observation deck was at 666 feet (203 meters), which is actually shorter than Horizon 22 in London. The views were nice, but not sure they were worth the high price of entry (guess I’m spoiled with all of those free viewing platforms in London).

We saw the sunset from our plane back to London.

While we were flying back, Dogsh*t (who we knew from Amsterdam and now lives in Hong Kong) was at City H3. He accepted an award for Opee for Most Trails Laid in the previous year. 
 

In Search of Beer...

The guys worked the next day and I just goofed around. That evening Jim took us to Pratergarten, Berlin’s oldest beer garden dating back to 1837. 

It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed eating outside.

Pretty sure these Jimmys weren’t the target demographic for this shop.

After stopping at a craft brew bar, we finished the evening in a uniquely Berlin drinking spot: a spati. These convenience stores have tables set up so shoppers can enjoy a cheap beer outside. Apparently there is around 1,000 of these little stores around the city center. 

Jim had fun modelling some of the merchandise. We didn’t know it at the time that this would be our last time visiting Jim in Berlin because he’d be moving back to the States before the end of 2024. It was definitely fun while it lasted!
 

Also Spotted in Hamburg...

....urban art...

….reflections...

….twins?....

…an unusual fountain...

…and a melted van. That evening we caught a train back to Berlin where we spent two nights with Jim.