Hello everyone,
Firstly, I want to say a huge "thank you" to all of you for your kind wishes and for the warm welcome back. It has been a good week here in this small corner, with a special day out on Thursday.
It was an early start for hubby and me as we drove down to Warwick Parkway station to catch a train to London for the day. When he retired from work last year, my hubby received a voucher for an experience day, which we used on Thursday. We visited The King's Gallery and had a tasting meal at a lovely Indian restaurant nearby.
It has been many years since I travelled on the London Underground, and I did not enjoy that experience. However, this time I was pleasantly surprised. It seems mid-morning on a Thursday was just a good time to travel; mind you, it was busier on the way back around 4 pm - but nowhere near the squashed sardines that I remember from the last time I was on the Underground.
The meal at the restaurant was delicious. We tried everything on the 5-course tasting menu, and very little was left at the end. The service was excellent, and we had all the dishes explained to us, along with the ingredients used.
I took a few pictures, but several times I forgot and had already started eating. I might be more adventurous with Indian food next time we eat out, as I normally stick to the usual favourites.
Here are a few dishes we tried:
- Mini poppadoms and dips
- Banana stem soup with banana chips ( It really did not taste of banana)
- Crab tart with mustard cream
- Meen Polichattu (fish marinated in spices, coated in a tangy tomato sauce and steamed in a banana leaf)
- Lamb shank varutha curry
- Malabar parantha (layered flaky flatbread)
- Thalassery chicken biryani
- Kumquat, milk chocolate and ginger mousse.
The other half of our day's experience was a visit to the King's Gallery. The current exhibition on display celebrates the centenary year of our late Queen Elizabeth through the decades of her clothing.
We saw her christening robe, commissioned by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, for her eldest son (Edward VII), and some of the cotton Liberty dresses that she and her sister wore as young princesses.
Through the 40's and 50's, the Queen favoured darker, richer looking colours with full skirts and the style of ' New Look' Dior. Later in her reign she wore much brighter colours so that the public could see her more clearly when she was among crowds.
Her favoured designers over many decades were Hardy Amies and Norman Hartnell, and we were able to see various sketches that eventually became outfits for the Queen.
It was lovely to be able to see some of the clothing that had special significance, such as the Queen's wedding dress, coronation dress, outfits from overseas tours, the dress used for the parachute entrance to the 2012 Olympics and the last dresses seen in public when the nation celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Of course, there were many hats on display, too. We also saw more practical clothing for walking and enjoying holidays with her family at Balmoral.
Here are a few photos I took while we were there. If you want to see more, here is the link to the King's gallery, which also includes a 3D walkthrough as well as more information about the Queen's style.
Wedding dress
Coronation dress
State visits
Platinum Jubilee
Hats and crowns
We had a wonderful day out seeing the exhibition and enjoying our meal. A long day, but worth every minute.
This week looks more like a normal week. How is your week looking? I hope you have things to look forward to and that we all get to see a little warmth and sunshine.
Look forward to seeing you again soon, and thank you for visiting x
An absolutely fascinating and stunning exhibition! I love many things from the Victorian era. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe loved seeing all the dresses that our late queen Elizabeth wore during her long reign on various occasions. The detail on the dresses was incredible and some of the beading must have made some of them quite heavy. Glad you enjoyed seeing a few photos.
DeleteOh my ... what a wonderful day out.
ReplyDeleteYour Indian meal looks and sounds great.
The exhibition at the Kings Gallery looks incredible.
Those dresses are exquisite and the workmanship/needlecraft etc that go into each piece on show is stunning.
May the new week ahead go well.
All the best Jan
The meal was definitely a delight to the taste buds and the banana soup was a real surprise.
DeleteThe Queen wore some beautiful dresses and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to see them up close. Thank you for your good wishes for the week, Jan. I hope you have a good week too.
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos of the Queen's gowns, I have really enjoyed examining thrm
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed seeing the gowns, Angela.
DeleteThe gowns are incredible - I think that would be one of my favorite things to see. What a wonderful time you had!
ReplyDeleteThe detail on all the dresses and outfits was stunning and we really enjoyed seeing everything up close. I'm sure you would enjoy seeing the exhibition. Hopefully you can see the link and get an idea of what it was like.
DeleteI would absolutely love looking at all those beautiful clothes. The workmanship would be incredible.
ReplyDeleteYou would not be disappointed, Cherie. They were all lovely. From first sketches to the finished gowns, a lot of skilled work was involved. The exhibition is open until October if you are able to visit. Hope the link worked for you so you at least get some idea of what it was like.
DeleteSo much embroidery! The dresses are magnificent. How lovely that you could see them.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine all those hours of hand stitching pearls and beads on some of those dresses! They were amazing to see up close.
DeleteThat sounds like a wonderful day out. Tasting menus are really good as you get to sample different things you wouldn't ordinarily try. I must admit that I usually stick to things I know, just in case I don't like what I've ordered, you don't have that problem if you've got a number of different dishes. The Queen's clothing exhibition looks fabulous, how opulent her gowns were. She was a stylish woman and carried what she wore so well.
ReplyDeleteIt was a long day for us but very worthwhile. The food was excellent although probably not what you would find at an average Indian restaurant. However I will try to be more adventurous with my choice, some I will like other I won't.
DeleteThe exhibition was amazing. Queen Elizabeth wore her clothes with style through all those decades.
What an amazing day, and the meal looked very tasty.. when I lived in Billericay I went to London often, I don't miss it these days except, when I read how people like you, have enjoyed a day there!
ReplyDeleteThe meal was delicious and we were so full afterwards. I haven't been to London for a long time but it was a pleasant experience all round. My husband was born in Billericay and spent his early working year travelling in and out of London.
DeleteWhat a wonderful day out. The food you chose looks tasty and the dresses are stunning. Interesting to see both design and finished garment in your last photos:)
ReplyDeleteGood food and fine fashion seemed a good combination. It was interesting to see some of the designs and read about how those ideas became the beautiful gowns we saw. It was also interesting to see the see- through raincoats she wore so that people could still see her when it was raining, and the warm cloak she wore to walk the dogs when it was cold. A real insight into her life via her clothes.
DeleteSounds like a great day out. I love Indian food so that taster would have been right up my street. Those dresses are amazing, and the tiny waist on some of them!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you would have enjoyed everything on the tasting menu. It was all delicious.
DeleteIt was a real delight to see so many of the Queens dresses and other items on display and all the exquisite details that you would never otherwise get to see. The dresses from the earlier part of her reign certainly did have very small waistlines but like most of us, that expanded over the years. She always wore her clothes well though.
What a lovely way to return to blogging after a busy week 😊
ReplyDeleteYour London day sounds like the perfect mix of culture, comfort, and a bit of adventure. The King’s Gallery visit paired with a proper tasting menu is already a great experience, but I especially like the contrast you noticed with the Underground — it’s funny how timing alone can completely change how we experience a city.
And that 5-course Indian tasting menu sounds delicious! There’s always something exciting about having dishes explained as you go, especially when it nudges you to try things outside your usual favourites next time 🍽️
Thank you for your kind comments and welcome back. I do appreciate your visit.
DeleteOur London day out was a perfect combination of food and fine clothes. It made the day even better with hassle free transport. A really fun day.
It's really lovely to see you back, Beverley. I do hope all is well. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely photos, especially of the late Queen's gowns. I thought she always looked beautiful, right to the end of her reign.
ReplyDeleteYour meal looked fabulous. It seems you had a well deserved enjoyable trip.
Have a good week,
Angie x
Thank you, Angie. I'm taking things a day at a time, most days are good but a few are still very difficult.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen had a style and elegance that was maintained throughout the many decades of her reign.
We very much enjoyed our meal at the restaurant and sometimes it is good to try something different.
Hoping that the rest of the week is good for you too x
What a splendid day out. I'm pleased you enjoyed it, and thank you for the link.
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to read that you had been experiencing a dreadful time. Somehow, I don't always receive notifications on my reading blog list. Anyway, I hope you and your family are coming out the other side now.
I'm glad we were able to see this particular exhibition. All of the Queens clothes were beautiful and with such intricate details. It was also good to see some more everyday wear, when she was not in the public eye.
DeleteThank you for your support, Janice. Life is still unpredictable for us but we are moving forwards each day.
It’s great to see you posting again and what a lovely day you had in London! It was wonderful seeing Queen Elizabeth’s gorgeous gowns and others. Your meal looked delicious and exotic Thanks for the link too. I will enjoy that! Denise x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. We had a great day out in London. We rarely visit the capital but this exhibition was well worth seeing. Glad the link works so that you see a little of the beautiful dresses on display.
DeleteThe meal was also a fun thing to do as we tried lots of new to us foods.
Sending love and best wishes on Memorial Day as we remember those who have given their lives in the service of others in many parts of the world.
Love a glamorous frock! Also, your dinner looks delicious and beautifully presented, too. It is so good to see you back xx
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like the Queens glad rags and posh frocks. Food was yummy at the restaurant and we were very full.
DeleteThank you for your kindness. I'm glad to be back x
It is a true joy to read this—what a wonderful day! I love good food, and I love fabrics in all their textures. Thank you so much for your photos and the link... it is a delight to gaze upon these beautiful dresses; if I could, I would definitely visit the exhibition held in honor and appreciation of Queen Elizabeth II.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards, Viola
Thank you very much.
:-) It's me again.
ReplyDeleteHello Viola. We had a really good day in London. Hopefully the link gives you a little view of some of the beautiful dresses of Queen Elizabeth. I know how much you love fabric of all kinds and being able to see items up close was very special.
DeleteHave a really lovely week x
Amazing photos of the Queen's dresses over the decades.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea of how to use a random corner of the garden. Wild flower areas look so lovely - as does the rest of your garden. xx
Yes, they were all really beautiful dresses with such fine detail and of course lots of sparkles.
DeleteThat part of the garden has always been difficult to know what to do with but at least it now has some greenery covering the ground. it will be good to have some wild flowers blooming there later on. Thank you for your kind comments, Joy x