What a fantastic, if slightly hectic, day exploring London's vibrant art scene! I kicked off on my cultural adventure, starting bright and early from Lichfield on the 7:50 AM train. I arrived at a sun-drenched Euston around 9:30 AM, and even before reaching the galleries, I stumbled upon a delightful discovery: the Matthew Flinders and Trim Statue. I'd never noticed it before! My little travel companions, Dave and Harry, sat with Trim. It struck me as quite fitting that after years of passing through Euston, I'd only just spotted this statue, especially as we're about to move to Tasmania (though sadly without our trusty companion, Kitty).

My first official art stop was the Royal Academy's Summer Show. It was absolutely perfect! I had tried to pre-book tickets earlier in the week, but they were completely sold out online. However, with a bit of optimism, I managed to get there around 10 AM and bought a 'walk-in' ticket. Getting in was a breeze, and I appreciated being able to check my weekend bag, allowing me to truly take my time. I bought a pen from the shop and marked each painting with a symbol, creating a wonderful way to remember the artists and details later. I hadn't planned on doing this, but it was entirely worth it. So much art to see and a brilliant way to recall the experience. I spent a good three hours meticulously marking the paintings I loved and those that left me wondering- ‘what is that meant to be?’ (see last two photos). Kind of inspires me, if they can get in, why can’t I? Let’s see what happens hey?

By 1:40 PM, my stomach started rumbling, leading me in the direction of Fortnum & Mason. I found myself admiring the incredible 3D paper cut-out designs in their windows. The allure was too strong, and by 2:00 PM, I walked out with three exquisite macarons: lime + mango, blackberry + crème brûlée. At £7.50 in the sweetest turquoise gift box, they were worth every penny, even if it meant a slight hit to the wallet. F&M's holds a fond and special place close to my heart; I love visiting occasionally. I remember my granny saying that she used to shop there back before the war, and on her shelves in Tasmania, she'd still have the green and gold tea tins, but storing something entirely different, like brown sugar or sweets.

A quick stop for an M&S sandwich and a "Hive mind" mead drink followed and enjoyed in Green Park. I sat in a wonderfully quintessentially English spot, right next to the green and white striped deck chairs – surprisingly fun and a great spot for people-watching. The lime and mango macaron was, of course, promptly consumed!

The unexpected highlight of my afternoon was meeting a very fluffy Ragdoll cat from France. They had the most adorable companion, nine years old and named Moyuela after a town in Spain. She was so calm and had the most exquisite blue eyes!

By 3:52 PM, it was time for the Tate Modern. Bag checked, I headed straight for the Do Ho Suh exhibition. His work is always thought-provoking, and this was no exception. I just love learning more deeply about artists I'd heard of, and really getting to know their processes and the thoughts behind each piece. Do Ho Suh's exhibition was fascinating, revealing things I'd never seen before by an artist. As he explores, "His work explores how, as we move through the world, we constantly reconsider who we are, through contact with the places in which we find ourselves. For Suh, the phrase ‘walk the house’ describes how we carry multiple places with us across space and time. The relationship between architecture, the body and memory is central to Suh's interests. As he says, 'memory amalgamates in these spaces and memories shape our perceptions of them. Yet, they're not stagnant. They're not foreclosed environments in my work. They're transportable, breathable and mutable'. To the artist, 'home' is not a fixed place or a simple idea. Instead, it evolves over time, and is continually redefined as we move through the world." I felt a real connection to this, which made the exhibition truly moving.

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By 5:25 PM, I was utterly exhausted but creatively satiated. I took some photos of the iconic Turbine Hall, one last wander to the bookshop (always dangerous!) and I left with a postcard, a tangible memory of a truly wonderful day. Then I found a quiet seat in the Corner Bar, ordered a small rosé, and began writing in my journal, reflecting on the day where i nibbled on the Black currant macaron. Yum!

Stepping out at approximately 7:20 PM, I was mesmerised by the vibrant energy of the River, bustling with boats, people crossing, and strolling along its banks. Others sat by the river walls, enjoying conversations, drinks in hand, and soaking in the last rays of the summer sun. It was a perfect farewell to the river, a moment to appreciate the many wonderful years spent by and on it. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I made my way to the station, ready to join my friends for the remainder of the weekend.