It's all about me.....

Today I decided to have a cheeky day to myself. The boys had tickets to see an ice hockey match and our original plan had been to go shopping, until we realised it was Colombus Day Weekend and the shops would probably be mobbed! So Anna and Kirstie headed to Harvard for a mooch and I wandered off to find the Boston Museum of Fine Art.

I arrived at the museum to discover the most enormous queue. It transpired that because of the public holiday entrance to the museum was free and everyone wanted to go! Luckily the queue moved quite quickly and within about 15 minutes I was in!

Then I managed a fairly blissful 3 hours wandering the corridors. The museum has a renowned reputation and it didn't disappoint, with Monet, Rembrandt, Pollock, Ruebens, Canaletto, Van Gogh, Burne-Jones, all in situ. I looked for a Reynolds painting that I had been involved with at work, which was rumoured to be hanging there, but I had no joy. I did spot one of the most powerful Turner's I have seen.

Called "Slave Ship" it was based on the real life events in 1781 when the captain threw over 100 slaves overboard because they were ill in the hope of claiming the insurance money.  

There was a small exhibition of World War I propaganda posters, which I really enjoyed. Set up by Woodrow Wilson in 1917 the Committe on Public Information were charged with creating a propaganda campaign to secure support for the war effort from the general public.

After a wander through the European and then the American art I found myself in front of the most beautiful piece of contemporary art. It was by an American called Shinique Smith. Most of her art work consists of elements of disused clothing, and whilst some are clever others just look like bales of material. But this one piece was just so gorgeous. Called "Majesty" it was inspired by glacier walks in Iceland. Maybe I should add I eland to my list!!! I would quite happily have painting on my wall! 

Whilst I stopped for a quick bowl of soup I was treated to a performance of flamenco music and dancing which was an added bonus, but very soon I could take no more and so headed out for a walk around Fenway Park. I live Boston. You can just walk everywhere.

Newbury Street was my next port of call. This is a well know street for shops and cafés. I forced myself to break the "shopping seal" and finally buy something! 

One of our cab drivers had suggested that we head to "Top of the Hub" a bar on the 52nd floor of the Prudential building. Given that the boys were way laid in pubs after the ice hockey it seemed fitting for the girls to dress up and hit the town. It was well worth it. Amazing cocktails with a fantastic view. We could see the planes lining up to land at Logan Airport and it became rather mesmerising!