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...
No comments:
Post a Comment