Tate Britain

Al at the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at Tate Britain. You aren't allowed to take pictures in there really.

I have always loved the Pre-Raphaelites, what teenage girl doesn't fall in love with them? I never outgrew it though, but it's been years since my first rented flats with posters of Ophelia and (of course) April Love on the walls.

Anyway, we went today and all loved it. It was busy, with lots to take in, and we were well over two hours which is probably enough romantic art for a nine year old boy! However, there was lots of Arthurian references which Al enjoyed (particularly tapestries of The Knights of the Round Table leaving on the Quest for The Holy Grail, and another when they find it) which he enjoyed. He also liked William
Morris's bed, which he loved so much he wrote a poem to it, which his daughter then made into a tapestry hanging around the four posts! Al loves his bed enough to write a poem about it!

Betsy also loved the many Shakespearean pictures, Ophelia, Orsino, Feste, and Viola.

The highlight had to be The Lady of Shallot though, for all of us. I've never seen it before, and in person it was so stunning I couldn't begin to describe it.

Having said that, we went to The Morpeth Arms for fish and chips and treacle tart and custard, and that was a close second!

So lucky to have these things so close by. Not The Morpeth Arms I don't mean!