Sun! Cold, but sun!

We had a great day yesterday. The sun shone, as did our spirits. We got away by 10 to Trafalgar Square to the National Gallery. As we went in we were so proud to see a group of protesters parading around out front with signs saying that Canada and its tar sands had copped out in Copenhagen. It brought a tear to my eye. Normally they ignore us.
I may have mentioned that the galleries and museums are free here. I think that it's wonderful that the Government of England has enough respect for the history and the arts of their country to make it available to all. The galleries and museums are struggling though, so I think that some sort of minimal charge, say $2. a head, in addition to government funding would be a good compromise. It would not keep people out, and it would help maintain the institutions. For a low income family at home, the cost of entrance to museums and galleries is prohibitive. There, I got that off my chest. Anyway the art was wonderful.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, The Tate Modern. I'm sorry, I try, but, for the most part, I just don't get it. It was warm though and I spent about 1 1/2 hours not getting it in the warm. Sheelagh proclaimed that she wasn't going to look at that stuff and headed for the restaurant, bought a pot of tea and looked out over the Thames. The 7th floor view is the best part of The Tate Modern in her humble opinion. Then we wandered on down the river walk to see Southwark Cathedral. It was very close to The Globe Theatre and Billy went to this church and they have a stained glass window dedicated to him. We passed "The Clink", the worst prison into which one might get tossed. Voted so by the people. They also had a replica of The Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake's ship.
Passing through a series of unbelievably great street markets, and a group of Morris Dancers, "Poofs with hankies" as Blackadder calls them, we arrived at The George. This is the last coaching inn in London. Some of Shakespeare's plays were put on using the balconies.
Last night we went to The Royal Albert for "Carols by Candlelight". You really had to be there. It was so beautiful. I should have taken pictures, but I didn't. There was a choir and an orchestra all in white wigs and period costumes. As Shush said, it made you feel that you could sing. A perfect end to a perfect day.