Good news this morning. Sally Gaucheron, our host for the art residency at Atelier de la Rose, sent us a note that our art bags arrived safely yesterday. What a relief! Our many thanks and kudos to XSBaggage. What service!
Our first full day was spent exploring Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. This vast park stretches from Kensington Palace to the famous Speakers’ Corner. We limited our exploration to the Kensington half today.
The Serpentine. Inside this is a small cafe. Tables are on different levels. The floors are glass. One also can climb to different levels on the exterior via glass stairs.
This is one arch of a bridge across The Serpentine, a long lake that separates Kensington Gardens from Hyde Park. Not surprisingly it is named The Serpentine Bridge. We watched a parade of geese swim under for some time. They seem to only swim in single file.
The Italian Garden has a wonderful building with a pond. These flowers were among many water plants blooming in the pond.
Of course sketching was on the agenda. Here Jean sketches next to a statue of Edward Jenner, the discoverer of the smallpox vaccine.
The Italian Garden.
A swan in the ponds of the Italian Garden.
Jean walking along one of the many paths. Pathways are blacktop like this, stone, and grass. There are good maps and directions signs as well. However, this did not prevent us from getting turned around on the way home. Of course Jean’s directions proved to be correct.
A statue name Physical Energy.
One of the many paths. The large trees are beautiful. They remind us that this park was begun as Henry VII’s private hunting preserve.
Paul’s first sketch of the trip…one of the swans in the Italian Garden. This was about 10 minutes’ work.
Paul’s second sketch, an attempt to capture the building at the head of the Italian Garden. There were very large dark trees behind it and a pond in front. This was difficult due to perspectives of all the facets.
All of London remains on high alert baby watch. No news yet from the royal family. The queen is getting nervous because she’s due to go on a holiday soon and doesn’t wish to change her plans.
Travels With Picasso 
Been to London once but did not see those lovely things..
I’m following these walks closely. Did you see the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens? It’s set back a bit but well worth searching out. My father used to row me around on the Serphantine back in the day. Was the cafe also the Seerphantine Gallery or a new one (or the old cafe reconfigured)? I’ll have to check it out, it looks amazing.
We missed Peter Pan. I knew he was there, but didn’t realize how vast the park is. There are so many trails that it is quite confusing. Since it is close to our hotel we may visit again.
Yes, the Serpentine Gallery cafe was there. I think you must mean the one near the Lido. It’s quite an interesting building that’s sort of Art Deco in style.
You kill me Paul with your swan sketch.
And, I might as well ask, what did you speak about at Speakers corner?
I’m glad you like the swan. I may try to do a painting of it when we get to our paints. As for speaking at Speakers’ Corner, my lips are sealed.