I had planned to visit the Natural History & Science museums (mostly for present-shopping purposes): little did I realise the effect of School Holidays... We abandoned the Natural History upon seeing the queue, and snuck in as far as the shop in the Science museum. And there I wriggled through the crowd, trying not to freak out. Shopping achieved, we took refuge in the myriad delights of the V&A: a half-scone devoured by Hitchcockian pigeons; paddling folk (including Sara); Eleanor of Aquitaine's effigy; and the Small Spaces exhibition which was dotted through the museum.
Then it was time to head for Brompton Cemetery, which dates back to 1840. We were attending the annual Dr Death lecture in the chapel (hosted by the extremely welcoming Friends of Brompton Cemetery). The talk was supposed to be sepulchral symbolism, but Dr Death's laptop exploded (in Friday 13th fashion), and his back-up talk was on the Victorian relationship to death (black plumes, black plumes, everywhere). I really enjoy old graveyards, and this place, after hours of darkness and rain, was suitably atmospheric. Lovely walk around.
The wackiest part of Brompton was its avid supporters. Someone came up to Sara with the opener: 'Don't I know you from Kensal Green cemetary?' Apparently there's an entire circuit of cemetery folk...
2 comments:
was that a grim reaper??? I think I'd have liked that place... looks really cool. Found my great grandads grave recently in a really old graveyard outside Clonakilty. Turns out I was from West Cork before North Cork! Odd. Lots of tombs there. Still though you said atmospheric, can't help thinking there's another story to tell? :) x
It *was* a grim reaper - the Friends of the cemetery take things seriously :-)
That's amazing about your great-grandad: trust you to be attuned enough to return to your roots...
You would have liked :-) Just like the tattoo folk of Camden: I just want to parcel them up and send them straight home to you!
Atmospheric for a gloomy afternoon, I guess: crows perched on tombs, children's graves, lifetimes of love and families and loss. But also kooky stuff - chat up lines (for Sara) from the Cemetery Folk; bizarre conversations & plans for the upcoming Bat Walk. Should be good!!
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