Europe 2023 August 16th Day 13 - Tate Modern and Hertford

Had to stop at the post office first to send some items back home Jane had specifically brought over for the classes at Birmingham and this was not the simple exercise expected. Box, weighing, purchase packing tape, re weigh, sign declaration etc, there was half an hour gone.

Caught the tube station close to the Tate Modern and popped in to a Paul's patisserie for a coffee and a very nice apricot pastry. The current major temporary exhibition was 'Forms of Life' Hilma AF Klint & Peit Mondrian. 

This was a very large exhibition that required a couple of hours to get through. A little different and more of Klint than Mondrian, but still enjoyable. Had a little look through the rest of the gallery before leaving to get a little food and drink. Stopped on the banks of the Thames at the Harbour Tavern just in time to catch the second half of the Matilda's vs England. The roar in the tavern when Sam Kerr scored the equaliser was deafening much to the chagrin of the poms, not so good when they scored another two to put the game beyond doubt.

Left the tavern and jumped on the river taxi down to Westminster and then on the tube to Liverpool Street station. From here we caught the train to Hertford West station. Another family history sojourn in Hertford re GGrandfather Fortune James Barnard who emigrated to Australia around 1850. Went to The Wash but the house was no longer there before we had a gentle walk around what is a very nice 'ancient' town.

For those who go to the Jumpers and Jazz in Warwick each year, well Hertford has it own version which was on display. 

Caught the 4.39pm back to London, where we changed to Kings Cross to catch the 6pm session of the David Hockney light show exhibition ' Bigger and Closer' at the Lightroom in Cubitt square. An excellent hours entertainment and myopic view of his work. Cubitt square is a redevelopment of an old Gasworks and industrial area giving new social space and restaurants.

After this it was back to the hotel via a quick Indian meal ( later considered a very bad move for Jane 😢) and the tube back to Baker Street station.

Forgot I'd put the beer in the freezer so had to defrost whilst watching the 60's music channel again before bed after another jam packed day. Life's short just live it .