A wow visit to a reopened Painted Hall

It’s been closed for two years for a major conservation project, and reopened last weeked. I was able to book tickets on the opening weekend through week, and it was truly wonderful. At one point I thought we might not make it down into Greenwich at all as MOH was working (again), but just after 3pm on Sunday he escaped his laptop and we headed on what is a daily walk for me.

It was a lovely day and Greenwich Park was full, which was quite strange to see. I’m so used to seeing it with workers hurrying through and the dog walking community meeting for their daily - or least morning - constitution, that it’s easy to forget the weekend leisure users of the space. And on a sunny day, how that multiplies.

We’ve been to the Painted Hall many times before, in fact we visited with family including a cousin’s American husband the day after our wedding whose reaction was “gee, this is old!” Which of course is correct, it is.

It’s part of the Old Royal Naval College and was designed as a ceremonial dining room by Sir Christopher Wren, and some dining room! It took 19 years to complete the vast decorative scheme, painted by Sir James Thornhill and that started in 1707. He was the first British artist to be knighted and painted himself into the picture, which was pointed out in the new audio accompaniment - so look out for him later.

Previously entry was free, and is now £12 which before we went I thought was hefty. Having visited, I think it’s pretty good value, especially as you can use your ticket to gain entry for a year. That won’t work for everyone but they’re not the only organisation to do that, and it doesn’t stop you visiting, does it.

The entrance is new too, and much more focused. You enter through the Undercroft, now renamed the Sackler Gallery and there’s the obligatory shop and a cafe too. The cafe is particularly welcome as it’s yet another space for food and drink on campus, although despite only going this weekend I’d already forgotten that in the everyday busy-ness of the working day. And this week too, I’ve been less good about taking lunch to work and reverted to popping to the garage for a sandwich rather than trying something a little more social.

LOOKING UP

Looking up in what used to be the entrance area was spectacular, and only partly prepared you for the wow when you first glimpse the main event. It is truly breathtaking.

A photo really can’t do it justice, but it does give you an idea of how spectacular it is.

Before the hall was filled with large wooden tables, which took up most of the space. These have now gone and have been replaced with cushioned benches down the centre of the space, these allow people to view the ceiling lying down, and if you weren’t aware of that, the following photo could be quite amusing!

And it’s a vast improvement of a mirror that was there before.

I’m not usually much of a fan of audio guides, but I took one and it was impressive. You can dip into and out of the information in a way that works for you. It translates the latin inscription around the edge of the ceiling in an engaging way. It’s been many years since I studied Latin - amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant and all that.

Earlier I promised you Sir James Thornhill, well here he is with the tools of his trade behind him on the ledge - that’s just one of the useful facts on the multimedia guide.

It’s definitely worth a visit, and it’s definitely worth visiting Greenwich for. And if you visit give me a wave!

Post Comment Love and Blogger Showcase 29 - 31 March

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week.  If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome.  Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and encourage you to pop over to some of the posts linked and take the time to leave a comment or two so that everyone benefits from some extra love.

So we’ve reached the day that should have been Brexit, but isn’t. Where we’d hoped things would be sorted, but they seem as far away as ever of being resolved. Parliament seems in even more disarray than most of us thought possible and no doubt, there’s still a few more dramas to come.

My first reaction when we discovered that it was no longer Brexit day this week, was thank goodness for that, I’ve already got a busy week. And it has been busy, with lots of toing and froing, but I think I’m making progress, slow but progress nonetheless.

My photo this week is another from Joyful Living in Norfolk, look closely and you’ll see it’s a rug made from scraps of leather, and is totally gorgeous and quite unusual, with such delicate colours. Although I’m sure that’s deceptive as I bet it’s much more hardwearing than it looks.

Blogger Showcase: Davis from Everything Starts With Tea

1 Who are you?

Hey, I’m Davis from Everything Starts With Tea. I’m a single parent to one beautiful little lady, I’m animal mad and own pretty much a small zoo consisting of a dog, two rabbits, two hamsters and a mouse! I run on a lack of sleep and an abundance of cold tea, complete with milk and two sugars.

My corner of the internet is all about lifestyle, parenting, mental health, self improvement and blogging, I like to think that it’s a reflection of me, as those are all topics of which I feel passionate about. There’s sure to be book reviews in the future, too, as I’m never without a good read on the go.

2 How did you discover blogs/blogging?

I actually discovered the world of YouTube first, obsessively watching a few of the popular ones with their beauty, fashion and lifestyle offerings. I discovered one of my favourites had started a blog initially, and so a whole new world was opened up to me. A world of which is much better suited to me and my passion for the written word.

3 Why did you start blogging?

After finding other people’s blogs and becoming hooked,  I decided I wanted to get involved too. I don’t thrive in social settings due to my anxiety and it seemed like a good way to make new friends online. One of my favourite hobbies is writing, so I eventually bit the bullet and got involved. My only wish is that I’d done it sooner! That was in 2015 with a previous blog. My current blog is born after a blogging hiatus and I’m so excited to be back in the thick of it!

4 What do you find most challenging?

As I already mentioned, I’m a Mom. I also have other responsibilities aside from my daughter and so balancing everything in my life alongside blogging can be a huge struggle. Sometimes my time management can be a little off and that’s when things start to slip. The technical side of things can prove tricky for me, too. The C-panel is NOT my friend!

5 What is your favourite topic to write about?

Ooo this is a tough one. I enjoy writing about all the topics within my blog (lifestyle, parenting, mental health, self improvement and blogging) but if I had to choose any for the top spot I’d maybe say self improvement... Or blogging.

6 Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

Both! I love blogging and with my last blog I was purely blogging for the fun of it. I’ve started ESWT with the intention of making money though, too. I want to work from home so that I’m able to bring my daughter up myself, not having to put her into childcare. So, I really hope to be eventually making a living from my little corner of the web.

7 What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Connecting with other bloggers and being a part of an amazing community. Writing comes as a very close second, but I’ve made so many amazing friends through blogging, some I consider to be my best friends. It’s the cherry on top of an incredibly delicious cake! 

8 Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?

I haven’t, but I’d definitely be interested in doing so! This is one of those things I’d like to add to my never ending to-do list: find out about any local blogging events!

9 What are your three best posts?

For variety I’ll share posts from different categories.

1. Parenting: Pregnant to an abusive partner. What should I do?

2. Self Improvement & Lifestyle: Try these 113 ways to improve your lifestyle now

3. Mental Health: The SAD side of Winter and how you can help

10 Describe yourself in three words.

Clumsy, empathetic and loopy!

 11 Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

Tea, biscuits and cake... And any other sugary treat available... Actually, food in general. 😝

12 What’s your idea of a perfect night out?

I don’t actually go out any more since having my daughter, but I used to enjoy having a few pre-drinks whilst getting ready with the girls and then heading to somewhere with karaoke! I prefer pubs to clubs, or something kind of in the middle with a dancefloor but plenty of seating available.

13 Your perfect night in?

Candles lit, plenty of snacks and reading a good book. I like to have DVD nights with my Mom, too, complete with tonnes of snacks and maybe a gin or two thrown in. If it’s a perfect night, the ultimate for me would be a combination of the two! Topped off with a snuggle with my little one once I finally get to my bed.

14 What would your best friend/OH/Mom or kids say is your best quality?

Asked my Mom and she said it’s my compassion. My toddler would probably call me an egg, not because I am an egg, but because that’s her favourite word these days. 😝

Thanks Davis for sharing more about you and your blog. Before you link up why not pop over to Davis’ social channels, as we all know how much a new follower or two is appreciated: Twitter - Instagram - Facebook

If you’d like to be featured in a future Blogger’s Showcase then please send Morgan or I the answers to our questions and we can sort out a date.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Lanterns and loveliness

Joyful Living has been a regular stopping point for ogling interior loveliness when we’re in Norfolk, but it’s been a while and I was long overdue a visit. That was something remedied on our recent visit to Norfolk and it was reassuring to discover that while the stock has changed, the quality and ethos hadn’t. On this visit it was the lanterns that caught my eye, and the succulents of course but that goes without saying doesn’t it?

The intricate patterns and weathered finish are great aren’t they, and would work as well indoors or out, with a candle or without. The round shape makes a change too, as often lanterns are the more traditional square shape. But if more traditional is your thing, then there’s also those as well. I love the finish of both, and would happily have them indoors, but only if I could be certain that MOH wouldn’t set about polishing them, which could take quite some negotiation.

But there’s plenty more than lanterns here, and it wasn’t long before I found myself drawn to the yellow pouffe and blankets. The pouffe, especially, was a favourite. I’m on a mission to get more yellow in our house, but I wasn’t quite sure about this one just now.

It’s just as well I hadn’t seen these cushions though when we were on cushion-hunt. A couple of these might have ended up on our grey sofas as the constants. And I think that would have given our living room a very different look, possibly a more grown up and sophisticated look, but there’s still time to grow into that I’m sure.

Had I seen this star in the run up to Christmas I’d have left with as many as I could get my hands on. I’ve a plan, that may or may not actually come to fruition, to make some of these giant stars myself from wire we have left over from our gabion baskets - yes I know that’s quite random - but I think they could look really good. I’m still working out the lights, but we’ll see how far we get with this before worrying about that just yet.

It’s also the type of place that manages to make bowls of shells look effortlessly stylish. Maybe it works because it’s on the North Norfolk coast, and that’s more authentic than a South London dwelling, who knows.

And as ever, there’s always room for some sequins. And more stars.

What I’m seeing more and more of is macrame-type holders for jars and plants. These have that feel to them too, but expect to see much more macrame around. Even in the Facebook craft groups and craft magazines it’s making an appearance and reminds me of growing up in the 70s - I’m sure we had a spider plant, with many many babies hanging in a window complete with louvre openings at some point. Our 70s house rocked.

Ah yes, more succulents. Aren’t these little pots lovely? I was quickly ushered out of the shop at this point, but look at the shelf too - it’s a scaffold board painted white. Something that would work equally well in a home setting too.

So lanterns and more loveliness as usual, I won’t be leaving it so long for my next visit either.