I must be getting old...

I must be getting old - London's grime, crowds and attitude have ceased to be charming! I miss quiet little Cardiff! But I will bear with it.

So I started my day in London, per usual, at the British Museum. After a long walk down Tottenham Court Road - past the used bookshop that was also a licensed sex shop (downstairs) (ed. note - would you really want to buy used books there....), anyway, I also ended my jaunt out at the BM. Here are some images du jour....

British Museum: beginning of the day:

British Museum: end of the day (now you see why I got grouchy - the madding crowd):

Only place in the British Museum that was quiet. Thank GOD for Iranian shallow relief conquest murals (I know, I know.... who hasn't said that on a regular basis):

I found a whole cabinet of feet and toes in the Enlightenment room today - had never seen them before. Loved it. This is a monumental foot of a senator. Check out the pinkie toe. What's up with that? He's wearing Greek sandals (for the foot sculpture connoisseur):

Parthenon riders - because they're the most beautiful thing in the Western world. I know, I know, imperialism abounding, but they're pretty right where they are (until the Greeks rightly get them back, I know....) (and I don't know why the images have all gone to the right. I'm tired.)

This is one of my favorite galleries - Assyria. I never get tired of this stuff. Check out those gates!!  9th century (BC) massive great Balawat gates. Tourists included for scale.

 There, you learned something today despite yourself.

This was some kind of fruit tree from India - there is a stunning little garden installation outside the BM in the courtyard. I can't remember it's official name, but it's also called  a Dead Man's finger tree.
I LOVE IT. I want one.

And, my favorite weird little thing of the day. Those of you who have patiently listened to me talk about the British Museum know that it is pretty much where I want to die. I want my ashes to be snuck in and put in the Franks Casket when I finally shuffle off this mortal coil. Anyway, I try to do a new room each time I visit, but I think I can't anymore. I think, apart from research rooms, I've seen all the display rooms. So, I now look for new little tidbits in rooms I've seen a hundred times before. This little guy is a metaphor for all the days when I just can't get it right. I fear I too will pass to posterity in such a fashion - a rider w/out a horse.... just looking awkward!

And that's it for today. I think tomorrow will be inside a conference room in some bank building, so I cannot imagine I will post anything scenic. I will, however, post wry anti-establishment comments.

Off for a pint in the crap hotel bar. I miss the Goat!