DDW Challenge; at the movies. Annie + Hall

We catch the early train for a trip to London today. First stop is the British Museum to see The Vikings; Life and Legend. The centre piece of the exhibition is the largest Viking warship ever discovered, the Roskilde 6, named for the fjord in Denmark in which it was found.

It’s around 37m long and although most of the timbers have gone, there’s an elegant stainless steel frame which gives support to the fragile timbers and shows off the shape and profile of the vessel. It is quite stunning and I can easily imagine the effect it had as it made its way along foreign shores, all those years ago. A very officious attendant told us off as Anniemay attempted to photograph it so you’ll just have to google it if you want to see the real thing.

As we leave the Vikings behind, Annie stops at the entrance to the main hall to look at a Japanese art work and hey presto - Annie Hall.

After the Museum we make our way to Bond St because Annimay wants to go to Tiffany’s for some reason. Gulp. But it’s only to take some pictures. Phew.

Then we cross the River Thames and head to the Design Museum to see a Paul Smith exhibition. The weather is fantastic and people picnic on the grass outside the Mayor’s Office or lunch in the various bars and cafes that line the riverside.

The Paul Smith exhibition is, in effect, a look inside the man’s head - to discover where he gets his inspiration from. It’s a lot of fun and at the entrance is a giant yellow sticky bearing the legend; everyday is a new beginning. Quite so.

As I park the car at the far end of the (almost empty) station car park this morning she says; "it’s OK, I’ll walk from here". At first I think she’s getting into the spirit of Annie Hall, but then I remember she hasn’t seen it. So I don’t tell her that it’s a line from the film. She waltzes off, so pleased with her little joke. My time will come.