Farewell, 2013

It was a dreich day, but we forced ourselves out for a walk to Dulwich. I'd intended to visit the Whistler exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, but it was shut (good for them, giving their staff a long time off work). I admired the mallards paddling about in the rain on the River Effra and was puzzled by the tennis players in Belair Park - it was not tennis weather today.

Since I had art on the brain, I suggested the Tate Modern, which was open and easy to get to from Dulwich. We tripped into Wagamama's on the way (it would be rude not to) and, bellies sated, we spent a good two hours learning, revering and being surprised by Paul Klee. I learned that there was an informal German policy to keep writers and artists from The Front during WWI, and so Paul Klee had a desk job. He became a teacher after the war; one set of students hired a plane to parachute some gifts to his house, but the parachute didn't open and the gifts fell at speed into the roof. Oops. It's the thought that counts.

The exhibition is arranged chronologically and it was interesting to see the progression of techniques and subjects from one year to the next. He had a great sense of humour, too. If I could have a wall of Klee, I'd choose:
• Summer House
• Aquarium
• Fire evening
• A Young Lady's Adventure
and one I can't find online - a blood-sucking plant insect, which was really fun.

Then it was the evening and all that pressure of New Year. We stayed local, walking to The Park pub for 11.30 for a swift drink then up to the top of Norwood Park, which we hoped would give us a great view of the fireworks. We weren't disappointed. We could see the fireworks from Westminster to east of Canary Wharf - what a show! Best of all, it wasn't crowded, we had a flask of tea, and it was only 15 minutes' walk from home. Result! We all sang "Auld Lang Syne" then headed home with a smile, "Happy New Year"ing everyone on the way. All the various Universal Churches were full of people singing and in good cheer. It made for a jolly walk through West Norwood.

Happy New Year!