Enjoy the evensong and have free access to St Paul’s Cathedral

Wondering in the city of London, visitors cannot seem to avoid seeing the most notable feature of St Paul’s Cathedral — the dome. The majestic delicate spire has dominated this piece of sky for many years, and the cross at its summit definitely looks sacred.

When the gold spire shines, I suppose many would image how the interior is like. I actually got interested in the inner image.

One tip from a local gentle man: you can possibly,for free, enter a church or cathedral in the afternoon (when it is not available for common visitors) if you wish to listen to Evensong.

Internally, St Paul’s Cathedral has a large spaced nave and choir. The walls are decorated in Baroque way, generally white and partially gold.

Candles were lightened to drive away darkness.

Choral evensong wafted across the building.

I was impressed by the sense of awe and a solemn atmosphere.

I had very good time sitting in the stalls listening to the choir. The evensongs were beautiful and vibrant, which made me feel calm and peaceful. Even though I fell asleep for 15 minutes, I didn’t think it is boring at all. Here, I felt sort of relaxed.

When eventually looking at the interior of the dome, I saw classic religious paintings telling a story somehow. If only I could understand more with more Bible knowledge!

What is more, as Wikipedia says :”The interior of the dome showing how Thornhill’s painting continues an illusion of the real architectural features.”  Nowadays, I definitely rely on the Internet when I need to further.

Related articles

• St. Paul’s Cathedral (racheltakeseurope.wordpress.com)
• Choir commended at Service for Seafarers, St Paul’s Cathedral (theroyalhospitalschool.wordpress.com)
• St. Paul’s Cathedral Dome (controlledbiorealities.wordpress.com)

Regularly visiting museums

London has always had a great deal of events, and surely it will always have too. This could be a good reason staying in London, so as to broaden my limited horizon and regularly gain a profound insight on things.

Fashion is a fashionable topic here and also has become an increasingly significant industry across the globe, contributing to the making of a modern economy. It would be interesting for me to know how a well-known brand develop, taking Paul Smith for example and taking a tour in London Design Museum.

“Shaped by the imagination of the designer and the skills of the maker, fashion is a creative art and craft that reflects on the nature the body and on individual identity. A constantly fluctuating language, it can also define a section of society or group.”  These words on a wall dragged me into a room of fashion, although I am not a big fan.

“Paul Smith” is famous for its witty style, something the designer describes as “classic with a twist”.  Rainbow pinstripe is the most recognizable icon. From shirts to suits lined with vintage fabrics, this brand really offers stylish products with good quality.

 

 

Inspired by his wife Pauline, he launched his business in Nottingham with a tiny clothing warehouse, a 12ft x 12ft store. To everyone’s surprise including himself, however, he would have such an achievement. Paul Smith suggested, he just wanted a shop and never thought it would expand into an international brand. He still remains his modest attitude to introduce himself through the exhibition  “Hello My Name Is Paul Smith”, even if he has got knighthood. “I just could never imagine being called Sir Paul. It’s so weird.”

Step into “The Collaboration Room”, I suddenly realized that Paul Smith is cooperating with a wide range of brands. From the first collaboration with car manufacture, Rover, then cameras, rugs, motorbikes, bicycles to snowboards, Paul Smith has labeled many more than products than I imagined.

What unities the many projects Paul Smith takes on is the common touch. Collaborations with artists can be seen here and there within fashion industry, but he would rather partner with less elitist companies. Apparently he is combining pop culture and sporty interests with his brand by this way, expressing “It is just fashion and it is fun”.

As the description says from Smith”My style often drawn on very British traditions and motifs. Past collections have referenced, for example the British postage stamp, British poets, artists and eccentrics and much much more.”  I found his inspiration is from everywhere, the valuable point is that he applies well.

Related articles

• Hello, My Name is Paul Smith (thebritishfashionista.com)
• Paul Smith and John Lobb (paulsmith.co.uk)

RICHMOND THE ROYAL PARK

For a city that has so many famous parks in urban area, such as Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, Richmond is one of those parks which you shouldn’t ignore when planning a trip in London. Sitting in the end of district line, it is not a place that people doesn’t live there will visit often. However since there are several famous actors like Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp who bought luxurious house in the neighbor, Richmond is no doubt a wonderful place to live.

Apart from the fact that Richmond has a great community attracting famous people to move in here, Richmond Park is a great park of this lovely place.

Once you walk into the park, there should be some unusual animals lying on grasses enjoying sunbath around. They are the iconic deer that makes this park so unique in London. I have been there several times and every time me and my friend can be amazed by these interesting animals. Also in the pen lake, swans could have a big open space to swim and fly. With these animals you could definitely relax yourself and enjoy the openness and fresh air. So, next time when you do feel depressed in the city, just jump on a district line train and take a short trip to Richmond and visit this fabulous park.

Got lost and Mind the gap London underground

Some places I would probably never go unless I get lost by chance. But, don’t panic if it happens, by all means take advantage of the view along the way to please myself.

I tried to please myself as possible as I can because today I feel really gloomy. So that I missed the station for change when I was in a daze.

For once I passed Embankment Station, I heard a different voice saying ‘Mind your gap.’ Suddenly it occured to me that a moved love story happened at this place.

An elegant lady used to sit in the same seat at Embankment station, but she never got on the train. One member of the TfL staff kept seeing her doing the same weird thing for a few years, but he never figured out the real reason.

Until that day Transport for London changed the system of announcement, which means the voice of ‘Mind your gap’ was no longer the same.

She finally come over to a TfL staff member and said ‘Mind the gap’, which was utterly confusing for him. ‘May I help you?’ He could only say that.

‘Forty years ago, my husband and I met in this station, we fell in love, we dated, we had a child… He had a wonderful voice….’

Eventually the kind Staff member had a clue ‘It was your husband voice? Mind your gap?’

Yes, she exactly came here for the voice. She was there to commemorate her dead husband. However, it was phased out on that day.

Since that day they spoke, he hadn’t seen this woman return to this station. No doubt, she had no reason to come back.

‘Time always has a way making things slip away, until there is nothing left.’

As days gone by, when the woman came to this place again, she heard a man’s voice. She was too delighted to believe that was her husband’s voice. What is more, she got a record of the special voice.

‘Are you leaving for somewhere now?’

‘Yes. I can go on from here now. I have my memories.’

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21719848