The Albert Memorial

A detail of the Parnassus frieze

From start to finish, my recent visit to the Natural History Museum lasted approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes – according to the clock on my camera – but, if anyone wants to take a really good look around the museum, it takes a whole day.

Shackleton and Livingstone

With the rest of the afternoon left to explore this part of London, I carried on up Exhibition Road – stopping to look at sculptures of Ernest Shackleton and David Livingstone – until I reached the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens.

My brother - whose company had recently cleaned and restored the Parnassus frieze and the four continents - suggested that I take a look at this extremely ornate example of architecture by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

I had never seen it close up before and, as a specialist in stone matching, I was particularly interested to see the variety of stones that have been used in its construction – and its repair. Although it is only possible to go beyond the memorial railings on a guided tour, there is plenty to interest a Geotourist around the perimeter of the monument.

General views of the Albert Memorial

Whilst waiting for the sun to emerge from behind the clouds, I used my time to very closely examine the various stones that have been used in the surrounding paving and, when I was on my hands and knees looking at the stones through my hand lens, a man came up to me and asked me what I was doing.

Paving stones at the Albert Memorial

Among the very many other people who were also looking at this monument, I must have been a very strange sight and, during the friendly conversation that followed, he told me that he had never been to the Albert Memorial either - having arrived in London from Africa 25 years ago - and that he had made a special visit with his young daughter to see it.

Africa

Being only too willing to explain what I was doing, I then proceeded to give a very short informal lesson in geology, which they both enjoyed...