Rhonda Bracey: At Random

Today was our last full day in London. It was a free day, but a small group of us went to see the Horse Guards near Trafalgar Square, then on to the nearby National Gallery (free) where I was very quickly SOOO over the medieval artists’ penchant for half and fully naked women, Madonna and child, showing breasts, and babies that had the faces of old men and the body lengths of 4 year olds! Plus, after watching Hannah Gadsby’s ‘Douglas’ several years ago (or one of her comedy routines), I was on the lookout for some other commonalties, and I found it in dogs! Almost every one of those medieval scenes with multiple people in them in awkward poses also had 1 or more dogs, typically in the lower left or right corner. Who knew there were so many dogs!? I got quite lost in the medieval section (literally – the place is like a rabbit warren) but eventually found the Gainsboroughs, Turners, Monets, Van Goghs, Seurats etc. It was in interesting morning and I can now say I’ve ‘been there, done that’, but it wouldn’t be on my agenda again. And the people! SOOO many people! The place was packed, though it was a Sunday, so I’m not surprised.

But the absolute highlight of the day and actually of the trip so far was ‘ABBA Voyage’ which we went to this evening at the specially built ABBA Arena. We had 2 adjoining dance booths, and I have no idea how much it cost, but it was absolutely worth every last cent! What a phenomenal show. 4 hours later and I was still buzzing! The light and sound and how they brought ABBA to life was just amazing. We were only allowed to take photos up to the start of the show and were warned that anyone taking photos or videos would be ejected, which was a great policy — didn’t see a single glow from a screen anywhere. If you’re in London or anywhere else that this might go, go along and see it – you won’t be disappointed! (well, you might be if you know nothing about ABBA and their music!)