Around 40 years ago I first set eyes on Monet's view of the Houses of Parliament and fell in love. So what a treat to see that very one (usually in the Musée d'Orsay) here in the Courtauld Gallery alongside several other of Monet's London works - the other two themes being Waterloo and Charing Cross bridges.
The exhibition finally realises Monet’s ambition to show this group of paintings in London, just metres from the Savoy Hotel where many of them were painted from the balcony of his room. A truly one-off treat.
First off this morning though, I was up early to take mum's samples to the doctor's before going into town and meeting Dave at the gallery. Had a very quick look round their other impressionist pieces while we were there - so many classics.
After, walked to Giovanni's in Covent Garden - a lovely intimate Italian restaurant tucked down an alley straight out of Harry Potter. Personal, friendly service and great food: orange and fennel salad, parmigiana melanzana, ravioli, spaghetti alla vongole, tiramisu and cheeses. And wine and limoncello.
Felt fine on leaving and on the journey home, but tummy played up again at home - can't seem to cope with my usual rich eating habits anymore.
Mum had eaten her salad lunch and was happy to tuck into the blueberry cheesecake we'd brought back for her.
Ian