For Our Friends to the North & Trafalgar Square

It's Canada Day today, of which I was gratefully reminded when I read Barrie's post this morning! Thanks, Barrie. I'm having a heck of time getting back into the swing of things here and completely forgot the date.

So, in honor of our Canadian friends, I just happen to have a picture of the lovely Georgian building in which the embassy, Canada House, resides on Trafalgar Square. The building itself faces the Nelson monument, and to the left of the building sits the The National Gallery. This fantastic museum displays paintings from artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas, Rembrandt, Turner, Constable, Da Vinci, Picasso, and so many, many, many more. A cast of thousands, truly. We spent hours in there during our first full day, just wandering the galleries and staring in awe at iconic works of art, like Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Rembrandt's self portraits at Age 34 and at Age 63 (the year he died), as well as the stunning and vibrant religious art. Such a collection. I highly recommend this museum to everyone, and it's free (all the National museums are)...Although, donations are welcome.

Here's a side view of The National Gallery:



Something was always going on in this Square, some type of event. Be it an all-day Hari Krishna parade and festival or a Veterans' Day Event (June 27th) of celebration. This square also tends to be a gathering place for friends and only once did we find it nearly empty...and that was when when first arrived and the rain kept a lot of people inside.

I must confess, at first I too was confused by the drops of water falling from the sky...I've heard of this phenomenon, but to be a part of it! Very exciting. We just don't experience this in our arid, little Orange County. ;-)

Here's looking out past Nelson's Monument toward St. Stephen's Clock Tower, which, of course, houses the famous bell nicknamed "Big Ben."


(Look! There's water falling from the sky and covering the ground!)

Hope you're all doing well!

Do you guys have a favorite museum? I don't know that I could narrow it down to just one...What about you?

Michele