Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist

Last week we visited a special exhibit at the Royal Collection on da Vinci's sketches of the human anatomy.  Late in life da Vinci became obsessed with not only documenting the inner workings of the body, but understanding it thoroughly.  He dissected several human bodies in hospitals and medical schools, as well as cows, ox, and other animals.  His drawings were some of the first ever of its kind, including the circulatory system, the brain, the fetus, the spine ... in amazing detail.  Experts say his drawings are were anatomically accurate and hundreds of years ahead of his time.

The exhibit was incredible and showed da Vinci's lesser known talent as a scientist in a really beautiful way.  Sadly, da Vinci died before he could publish his treatise on anatomy and another man beat him to it some years later.  His anatomical studies weren't noticed until almost 400 years later.  

Check out some of our pictures and the link below ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/apr/30/leonardo-da-vinci-anatomy-exhibition

Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens

Sorry, been busy so on the weekends we are making sure to take pictures and post ... This past weekend we took a long walk through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, which has become one of our favorite things to do on a lazy weekend afternoon (it's a short bus ride away). It was a hot, sunny day and everyone was out sunbathing, picnicking and walking their dogs.

We love this picture...

The Italian Garden in Hyde Park 

The pigeons have their own ladder to get into the fountain! 

Setting the Olympic stage on Serpentine Lake for the triathlon!
See an aerial view of the lake here: www.london2012.com/venue/hyde-park/

Portobello Road

This past week we visited Portobello Road, but also went back to the V&A Museum for a tour and a look at some sculptures ...

Pretty glass sculpture at the V&A

In the gift shop ... metal bird clothesline clips

Colorful Portobello Road

Wooden shoe horns, brass plates, decorative soap dishes...

Interior of a boutique ... lined with Singer sewing machines from floor to ceiling!

Fun antique metal boxes

  

Old sport equipment

Borough Market

Today we went to Borough Market under London Bridge.  It was incredible!  It had everything from fresh fish, meats, pies, fruits, vegetables, beer, wine, cheese, sweets, breads, and cooked items to go like sausage sandwiches, fish & chips, sushi, rare meats (kangaroo and ostrich burgers!), and luckily for us, a little taste of France - raclette cheese melted and poured over local potatoes with cornichon - delicious!

Half of a wheel of raclette melting under a heater, which they then slice off on top of your potatoes 

Raclette lunch!!!

Brownie, anyone?

Dessert ... scone with raspberry jam, strawberries and whipped cream :)

Wimbledon

Early last week we went to Wimbledon for the day and saw Schiavone, Clijsters and Gasquet.  It was a great day, a little rainy, but a lot of fun!

Players' draw

Gasquet

Clijsters 

Schiavone 

Schiavone 

Strawberries and cream while we wait out the rain!

The Longest Match was played on No. 18 court 22nd - 24th June 2010.
John Isner (USA) beat Nicolas Mahut (FRA).
Match duration - 11 hours 5 minutes.

Hampstead Heath

We spent today in Hampstead Heath with Zoe (she went on her first train ride on the Overground tube - it took about 20 min from where we live to get there).  Hampstead Heath is 790 acres of untouched woodland, meadows, heathland, ponds, and valleys just north of central London.  It's serene and beautiful, and you'll find many families, couples, dog owners, and painters relaxing there.  Since we've arrived this is one of favorite spots especially because Zoe loves it so much :) www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampstead

Drinks afterwards at Freemasons Arms