On now in the British Museum until the 23rd February is the Silk Roads exhibit which gives you an insight into the silk trades and way beyond. This is more about the connection, evolution and expansion of empires across this vast route.
All traders from all walks of life and what are they trading? Cloths, silks, pottery, precious gems, silver, gold and spices. In turn the wealth build trade settlements along the route and the route expands to already established settlements.
The exhibit takes you for a wonder from Japan, through China into middle Asia, all the way to Europe and Africa. There are some sad realities like the fact slaves were traded also, with incredibly well-preserved letters of slaves passing from one hand to another. This was partly due to the expansion of the Muslim empire into Africa and Europe which in turn pushed a dominant Buddhism out of Asia and Islam to take hold on the lands. This also transforms type of trades.
As you near the end of the exhibit you see some treasures from the Sutton Hoo collection. A burial in England where gems had come as far from Sri Lanka. And this was done thousands of years ago.
I was slowing waking up at around 5:30am and start looking at my the news on my phone. People are rioting in my country and I ask why, because a young boy for some reason killed children in a senseless attack in Southport near Liverpool.
There really is no need for violence, but what makes it worse are these people who are dishonouring their grand parents and great grand parents and family who fort against against the nazi’s in WW2. We fort for our right to live, for our peace and our liberty.
These values are why we have an influx of people to the UK, because they generally come from a lot worse place. A place where the simple freedoms we have and fort for don’t exist. Where other countries have failing economies Britain has always been stable. We welcome hard working people. Those that can help contribute and build a better future.
Those that come, who don’t follow the rules and commit crime. I would gladly send back. But if you can adapt, listen and learn. Then welcome.
But for those native people of Britain who feel its your duty to cause mayhem. Have you even considered the damage you’re doing. Weakening the fabric of a local area, weakening its economic value. This affects the value of homes and businesses in these areas you attack. Causing the tax payer money to be diverted into policing you.. the tax payer! Your own taxes into policing yourself. Unless you’re one of those unemployed people who are on benefits, because you’re too lazy to go out and work. Angry at the system you haven’t been taught to navigate. So are out on a rampage! WAKE UP! Look in the mirror. Please remember what we should really be fighting for and against. Not this madness of unneeded mayhem.
It’s not just Britain that has this problem, I see right wing elements in Europe and America too. We as a world fort against this over 80 years ago it’s time to be less fragmented and unify against these ideals.
Often I’ve been to Kew Gardens, which seems to be turning into a yearly ritual, I will walk all the way around. There is a spot I like to sit at and the view has interested me for a while. Right across from this view point is a little-known place called Syon House.
I finally got there and little it is not. It feels hidden away but as you walk down and through the entrance you are greeted with a long driveway up to a house that looks like a castle, that is palatial inside. Owned by the Duke of Northumberland this estate sits in the leafy green Brentford part of London.
The house sits on a former church site and the catacombs still exist under the house. The main entrance of the house The Great Hall is kind of a love story to ancient Rome. You follow through into an Ante Room of a completely different colour scheme, made up of composite marble, like the film studios use today when making film sets. There is a sense of grandeur through-out the house with that ancient Roman Greek design by the famous James Adam who after his grand tour of Italy brought a number of styles back with him.
The Anti Room follows through into the Dining Room. This room is far more subtle in colour with white walls and gold leaf designs and the traditional solid oak stained floor. The next room is the Red Drawing Room, far more opulent with an intricately decorated celling. There is a lot softer feel to the room as the walls are lined with material instead of paint. And a large Axminster rug to disguise the hard wood floor.
By now you would have made it through to the Long Gallery serving as a library with many books. The fades of time are very much felt here, the colours are very faded. Was it once a pearl sky blue?
Don’t forget to inspect all the painting on your way around, painted by the famous artists of the day. Plenty of Van Dyke’s around!
I had viewed many more rooms and then I exited to wonder round to have a look at the Great Conservatory which is on par in design as Kew Gardens, but not as jam packed with plants. Entering this area I was greeted with perfectly maintained grounds, a sea of ferns on one side and a perfect bed of meadow flowers on the other. There are areas of the grounds that need work on, but what a relaxing day out. Although I was worn out by the end.
The reason I call this a hidden gem, well there can’t have been more than 20 people around wondering around. I don’t believe Syon House is advertised and for such a beautiful estate. I guess everyone is at Kew.
On Monday 8 July 2014 after some time of archiving and moving out goodness knows what. The British Museum has decided to open the doors of the old Reading Room to show the public with a few plaques of famous historic names of past visitors.
Books and archives all the way round synonymous of the old British ideal. And a beautiful dome room to match.
I’ve wanted to get down to Battersea Power station for a while to see all the modernisation work and what has been done there. It was after 11:00am when I arrived in the week and there really wasn’t much footfall in there at all. I asked one of the guards and he said the place was much busier at the weekends. I hope he was right! Upon walking around there are bits here and there that show the old workings of the station and Control Room B was turned into a bar that still has a fair chunk of the old technology in it.
Downstairs from the riverside entrance was one unit showing the process to how the station became what it is today. And then there are a lot o high end brands about the place from Ralf Lauren to Rolex.
Bars and restaurants here and there, a place called Bounce where there are a load of tables to play table tennis and even a cinema.
Further upstairs to the third floor, is an optional lift going all the way up to see a view and a few display bits, but I chose not to do that as I thought the price of over £20 was far too high!
I’d thought I go and check out the Cenotaph in London before they took away the wreaths and pay my respects. At the same time I had planned to visit the Household Cavalry Museum, however that was closed due to the state visit from the South Korean president and his wife. This isn’t the first time a state visit has interrupted my plans either and probably not the last!!
Only just started in the British Museum is the Burma to Myanmar exhibit that explores the few treasures that have come from the country. And there are some amazing pieces on display, from a gold letter to the King of England that went un-replied. To an intricate ivory chair.
You get a bit of a glimpse into the art that has come from the country but due to constant conflict there, there is a sense of limitations in the exhibit. Like so many subjects there is a vast story to tell and the scope isn’t there. A pebble in the sea of what information they could have given? What is on offer may give some insight, however to me it’s just showing off what they have in the British Museum collection.
I love Star Wars, there are so many good things, and at the same time so many disappointments. I grew up reading the books after the films and feel the final had me wanting more and irked at little things.
I don’t know why Sabine suddenly had a power boost in the final show, why throw away some good characters into the abyss and why leave Ahsoka on that god forsaken planet! As for Ahsoka who wields a lightsaber well it looked terrible at times, sloppy, missed place strikes. For a woman who is seasoned it looked unrefined and she needed a lot more training than given.
As for Thrawn I like the fact that the Grand Admiral got away and got back to the galaxy we know, it leaves it open for advancing the story, however the acting felt flat! I was left feeling underwhelmed by the whole process. I truly wish for better.
On now for a month you can go to Sotheby’s on New Bond Street and see a vast collection of items once owned by Freddie Mercury before they go on sale. I’d say if you can, go see it now, because after the six auctions all his treasures will be scattered and most likely scattered to the four corners of the world.
I feel it will be a shame, as I felt a lot of these items should have stayed in his house and that created into a museum. Nevertheless, this is a part of life and its story in this famous character.
I knew he had a love for Japanese art, but I didn’t realise how vast his collection was. From a very nice collection of prints, to ceramics and sets of kitchen ware. There is a degree of opulence about the character and a slight insight into the eccentric nature of the person we see from his things. There is also a degree of love for the items on display, from the clothing to the records and his famous piano. A new Yamaha piano will set you back £5,000 but if you want Freddie’s make sure you have more than £2 million + capitol. And if I am honest, there are some even nicer things to get your hands on than the piano.
This is a little hidden gem in the Bank area of central London. When they built the new Bloomberg building they moved the Roman Mithraeum temple out and then put the ruins back to where they originally found them. You can now go online and book a free visit if you have a spare half an hour to visit it in your day.
Entering you are treated with an ever changing art space, then next to it is a wall of finds which you can browse before descending down the stairs to the temple. There is a brief bit of information in a waiting area and when let through you are treated to a very mystical setting, low lights, barely visible and it is a treat to watch and listen to the story.
After that’s finished you can have a walk around when it lit up better, take some photo’s, ask those questions before leaving. Well worth a visit in my opinion.
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