Dickens and Downtime

Today brought to us to the Charles Dickens Museum. We met up with Graham and Jo for coffee beforehand, so we were well-energised to look at the Dickens house after the ten minute walk to arrive there. Apparently, it was his house here in London for about three years. I was surprised at how big it was. Five floors with accompanying double staircases for each, gets you from the bottom of the building, essentially the basement where the food prep and washing were done, up to the top where the bedrooms were.

It was a grand old home, not full of ornate bling, but the furniture and crockery and ornaments of the late 1800s. A clock chiming on one wall, subdued colours for the walls, sometimes more colourful carpet, chunky bowls and plates, big cutlery, table lamps, pictures of family and successes, a piano. Dickens’ writing desk was large and had an incline sitting on top so that he would not be working flat. I understand that he wrote some of his earlier works in this house. It was a quiet gentle morning. I enjoyed it.

Morning tea followed in the Dickens Tea Room and a good sit down. Standing and looking at things at museums and galleries, reading little plaques and here in this one, climbing the stairs as well, is all quite tiring. I think walking is easier. At any rate, a rest and then a farewell at the Tube to Chris’ folks and we were on our way home. Chris is fighting off a low-grade bug and not feeling great. Rest is what we need.Read more