Hi everyone
I had a great time with family the day before my birthday and got some lovely pressies including a new hat and the aquamarine necklace.
So before the promised skirt blog (which will come out next week) here’s some pics of my trip to London. I wore my new charity shop jacket (found at Emmaus which is, of course, the best charity shop for vintage and really excellent clothing amongst other things you can find there) and an orange charity shop top bought earlier this year, along with a long black skirt from M&S.
And our first stop was at the Tate Modern for Yoko Ono.
I never tire of that view from the Tate across the Thames.
And what did I think of the Yoko Ono exhibition? Hmmm. I’m not sure what I was expecting I mean,Yoko was, above all, a performance artist and I think if you were actually present at these happenings, maybe they would have meant more. Tbh, I thought the entire exhibition was pretentious nonsense, and I can say that as I have seen a lot of exhibitions, and many a quirky modern one too, but this was a bit empty both literally and metaphorically.
Only my opinion, as exhibitions are very subjective, but there you are. Peace and love, people! But in reality I was feeling hot and frustrated.
Fortunately, there was another more interesting exhibition on, Expressionists: Kandinsky, Munter and the Blue Rider, so we looked at that.
I rather liked this one with the hats! And this.
The colours were so attractive.
And then there was another free exhibition at the Tate, which was quite quirky. This was about the urban environment – I liked that.
I like quirky, but Yoko Ono was a disappointment.
On to a lovely birthday meal in Bermondsey.
And then on the following day – off we went to my favourite museum, the V&A. This is my happy place.
There we saw Fragile Beauty: photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection. It was outstanding.
These were not photographs taken by Sir Elton and David Furnish, these were the photographs they have collected over the decades.
The photographers included Richard Avedon, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Nan Goldin, Eve Arnold and many, many more.
That is a fragile beauty, if ever there was. Monroe was so lovely.
And fragile.
There are around 7000 photos in their collection hosted in their five homes and stored elsewhere and, to be honest, they should have a small museum of their own.
The exhibition was broken up into different sections.
It was just such an outstanding exhibition, and something that the V&A does so well.
I can’t wait to come back for Naomi in Fashion, which opens shortly.
That was a great couple of days out.
And now for some sad news. Lynda Bannister has been a regular reader and commenter on my blog for simply years. I can’t actually remember how long it’s been, but she regularly commented on my political Brexit pieces that I began to write in 2016 and she always commented on Frugal Fashion Shopper – Every Single Week. She stopped commenting in late April and this week I plucked up enough courage to ask about her health. Sadly Lynda died on May 8th. I feel incredibly sad as I’m writing this as although we never met I felt she was my friend as well as a follower. She had a celebration of her life yesterday and I attach a link to a page dedicated to Lynda’s life https://lyndabanister.muchloved.com/
Well, dear readers, Lynda, and indeed me and my other half, Mr F, are huge role models for checking one’s skin. We all had melanomas but, fortunately for us, ours was caught in time. Melanomas are vicious cancers, so people, check your skin, and of course, cover up and slap on the 50+ if you have to go out in the sun.
That’s all for now, with love and gratitude to you all
Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
So sorry to read about Lynda. I often saw her name in the comments, and as you say, a friendship can develop via blogs and comments. I know I feel ‘connected’ to various people I interact with online. You will feel the loss of someone who commented in such a thoughtful way.
The photographic exhibition looked wonderful. Your hat and necklace look like perfect gifts. Happy belated birthday greetings x
I have never been a fan of Yoko Ono. Always thought she was not talented and even annoying. Of course I don’t know the woman irl…. Sad to read about Linda.
I think Yoko is an extraordinary woman in so many ways (as in not exactly likeable but unusual) but her performance art didn’t translate well into a static exhibition.
I feel very sad about Lynda – it is interesting and rather lovely how we connect with people on the ‘net. This is the absolute best side of blogging I think.
Thanks Nancy 😊
I did feel very connected to Lynda which is so interesting as to begin with on the politics side and, especially Brexit, we were on opposite sides of opinion. And yet, like Rory Stewart and Alistair Campbell we agreed to disagree agreeably. And thereafter Lynda was always in contact. I miss her.
And the photographic exhibition was very good. Thanks for the birthday wish – eek, another year!
Thanks Kathy 😊
Lovely preview of exhibitions, one of which I’m going to in 10 days’ time; however, to comment on your melanoma reminder, I would only say that in the annual medical review for people over a certain age, particularly those like me who live alone, there is no invitation to strip off so that the heathcare nurse could spot what might be dangerous. I have of course mentioned this, but…..I’ll do it again!
Enjoy the exhibition!
Re: your medical review. I think if you have moles and are pale then ask the nurse to look at areas you can’t easily see yourself. Mr F’s melanoma was on the back of his neck ( a very common site for men) and I hadn’t noticed it. Remember I had to drag him to this examination as he was sure there was nothing to worry about – how little we know. My melanoma was on the back of my arm and I would anyway, never ever have gone to the GP with it in a million years. It didn’t look anything at all and was quite small, until that is it was spotted, and then on closer examination I could see its shape was irregular. So ask for the back, and those other areas not easily seen by yourself, to be looked at if you have moles.
Very best and thanks Victoria 😊
I would just like to thank you Penny for mentioning that you have a mole check every year at the Mole Centre. I started going about 5 years ago after reading about it on your blog and they found a BCC on my first visit, which I had removed. A friend said could she come with me the following year and we have been going together once a year ever since. On our last visit, the nurse spotted a mole on my friend’s arm that she thought was suspicious. It was subsequently found to be a stage 1 melanoma and has been successfully removed. If I hadn’t read about it on your blog, none of this would have happened, so thank you again.
Oh wow, that is such a good recommendation to have an annual skin check. So very glad your friend’s melanoma was found, and in time. We know so little really it is best to get things checked by a professional. Phew and thank you for giving me that feedback. I shall continue to broadcast the importance of having an annual skin check for ever more.
Thanks again Deborah 😊
Very good advice Penny. I must look into a mole check too. I slap on the 50 SPF on my face every day of the year. Maybe that’s overdoing it but I still spend quite a bit of time outside in the winter, gardening and walking. It has become such a habit that now I don’t even have to remind myself to slap it on. Oh, and I have a hat for every occasion, gardening, walking, sunny, raining, I love a hat.
Enjoyed your pics by the way. We’ve just been to the new Munch museum in Oslo, well worth a mooch is the official verdict.
Yes, I put on nothing under 50+ SPF now, btw, I use a good quality mineral SPF as don’t like the idea of a chemical one. And yes, always a hat, so glad you’re like me and love hats!
It’s not a bad idea to go at least once to a Mole Clinic, even you don’t have many moles. They cost a certain amount but my word they are thorough as they take 45 minutes to go through everything from the top of your head down to your toes looking at every blemish (and I have many) with a monocular. My lovely local NHS skin department (which was very fast to react btw, no waiting around to be seen once they think you’ve got something nasty) told me they can only give people 15 minutes to examine the whole body. So what I do is have the annual check with the Mole Clinic and then if anything is found I go straight back to the NHS which in my area reacts very speedily.
Funnily enough I am going to Oslo in September – will go to the Munch if I have time as I have some family business to attend to first.
Thanks Pamela 😊
Hello, Penny
The Impressionists exhibition looks most interesting with the photographs coming a close second. Can’t say that the others rated any stars though.
I was so sorry to hear about Lynda; I had wondered about her for a while. She and I had exchanged several comments on here over the years and I always appreciated her input. I checked the link you gave – what a lovely lady!
How good it is to make long-distance contacts with like-minded people through blogs such as yours, Penny. I don’t follow many, but cherish those that I do, including yours. We readers gain a new perspective, another window into others’ worlds and so expand our own. Thank you for that, and for the time and trouble you take to share.
May Lynda Rest in Peace and her family find peace.
Zepherine x
Yes, both the Expressionists and the John/Furnish exhibitions were great – thought the photography pipped the paintings! It is very subjective though, but Yoko Ono’s performance art didn’t translate well at all to a static viewing of her escapades.
I too am so sorry about Lynda’s passing. I shall really miss her comments and absolutely agree that we can make long-distance connections with people on the internet without meeting in real life. This is the best aspect of blogging the connections we make – long may that continue.
And thank you Zepherine for being part of this community, I value this very much. 😊
Great birthday photo of you Penny! and happy birthday. I enjoyed the vicarious trip to the London museums and especially the photography exhibit. My daughter and I are planning a visit in two weeks to an outdoor sculpture exhibit, It’s called Storm King, sitting on a mountain above the Hudson River over many acres, I have passed nearby in my travels over the years and always wished to see it, so finally doing it. plus time with Rachel. condolences on the loss of Linda. Each day is a gift. Love, Darby
Thank you Darby, as you say each day and each year is a gift. The Photography exhibition was outstanding and great to hear about your planned visit to the sculpture exhibit. Hope the weather in the States isn’t too fierce – we keep reading about heatwaves and tornados. Fingers crossed you are all safe and well where you are.
Love to you Darby and thanks again 😊
There is truly no place like London! I got to celebrate a birthday there in 2016, I believe. I’m trying to think if we ever went to the Tate Modern. I do know we’ve been to the V&A a few times. I love the art museums and just about everything about London! I haven’t ever cared for Yoko Ono’s art. Your word, pretentious, is right. I would love to see all those photographs from Sir Elton and his husband, especially the ones of the Beatles and Marilyn Monroe. She was truly stunning.
You look so happy in your photos, Penny! It’s a wonderful thing to be showered with thoughtfulness and gifts on your birthday, isn’t it?
I’m so sorry to read about Lynda’s passing, especially as she’d made such an impact on you and your readers. May her memory be for a blessing.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha and both the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern are worth a visit. Perhaps the Tate Modern pips it as it was an old power station that has been converted and is a rather exciting venue because of that.
Yoko Ono is an unusual person – not really that likeable – but unusual. Sadly her performance art didn’t translate at all well to a static exhibition space. It all seemed rather empty.
I wonder of the John/Furnish collection will be shown in the States as apparently he’s lived in Atlanta for over 30 years – I didn’t know that but one of his homes is definitely there. It was an outstanding exhibition and once they’ve done the work on the items, they do often repeat it elsewhere. Tbh, I think the photographs deserve their own museum.
I’m feeling really sad about Lynda’s passing – she made a big impact on me and the blog – she will be much missed.
Thanks Marsha 😊
Hi Penny thank you for sharing your birthday trip to London. Great photos and I love your colourful outfit. V&A is always worth a visit. I’ve never been to the Tate Modern but will definitely take a trip very soon. Gill
Hi Gill and I definitely rate the Tate Modern, which is easily got to with less than a 10 minute walk from Blackfriars Station. There are many free exhibitions within it as well as the two you have to pay for. The building itself is astonishing in its own way having been a power station before its change to an art gallery – you can have a very good day out there for sure :))
Hi Penny, Happy belated birthday wishes to you and you looked lovely for your trip to London. I think the Impressionist paintings are my favourite followed by the photography in black and white. Such a fascinating place to visit. It is sad news about your follower who died last month. Isn’t it interesting the people that come into our lives through blogging. Thanks for sharing your birthday outing with us at #WeekendTrafficJamReboot and I’ve selected your post as one of my favourites to feature next week. xx
Hi Sue and thank you so much for commenting. The John/Furnish photography exhibition was huge and I haven’t given you the half of it. I wonder if it will be shown elsewhere as the work that went into it could be repeated in other continents such as yours and the States. Hope you get a chance to see it. And wow thanks so much re: picking me as a favourite – will look your blog out for sure 😊
Hello Penny, so sorry to read about Lynda’s sad passing .
So glad you enjoyed your birthday trip to London and your gallery visits. I have never been to the Tate modern but it is on my list if I am ever lucky enough to return to London. I remember seeing a Yoko Ono exhibition in Sydney when I was there for my 60th. (where has that ten years gone) , if memory serves me correctly it was more interactive than the one you saw. I also liked the hat pictures.
Seeing you at the V & A did bring back happy memories of meeting you and Gail there, the photographic exhibition looked amazing.
I have many happy memories of meeting you at the V&A – I often wish we lived nearer to each other!
The Tate Modern is definitely worth a trip as it is such an iconic building with incredible views over the Thames. There are many exhibitions there many of them free, it has a vast collection. But the Yoko Ono was rather flat and empty – disappointing! Never mind it’s good to see these exhibitions and think about why they instigate these feelings – and of course, exhibitions are always a subjective experience as someone else might have enjoyed it.
The hat pictures were great!
Thanks Jill 😊
I love, love, love that photography exhibit. Photography is my thing.
Your opinion on Yoko’s exhibit is the same as mine probably would have been! I have never been a fan of hers. I love that you had such a to-the-point reaction. lol!
Thanks for sharing this post and all the awesome photos and being part of the Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot each week.
I always enjoy reading about your visits to exhibitions & hope one day soon to get to the UK to see for myself.
I just want to add something as I live in the melanoma capital of NZ which also has one of the highest rates of it in the world. Yearly checks ,yes, hats yes sunscreen yes ,all good but please do what I only recently found out about – get your Vit D level checked with a blood test.
In NZ we have to pay for it but I found my level was very low & it plays a huge role in our immune system to fight off cancers ( which is what our immune system is always doing without us realizing).I got mine tested when Covid arrived as I don’t get out in the sun much being fair and a family history .I was shocked though!
Sunlight on fairer skin produces Vit D very quickly but supplementing is effective too.I ‘ve been much healthier since I started taking it and it’s another thing we can do ,which always helps mentally when we lose special people too soon.