Naomi/Helen

We start our day with a visit to the V&A, both to catch up with the latest exhibitions and to meet up with an old friend. 

Helen has come up from Eastbourne where she now lives, enjoying her retirement. This is another of these cross-generational friendships that stretches back to WW2 when my parents opened up their home to Helen’s mum and her tiny baby. Soon after, her husband - an anti-uBoat captain-was killed in action and my mum was there to comfort her. Over the years, a new marriage and more children, the two families continued the close friendship, with Helen and her brother spending many summers in my childhood home in Anglesey, and us with them in the London suburbs.  Our parents are no longer with us, but we remain firm friends and whenever we meet, the years just float away.  

The big excitement is that the new exhibition ‘Naomi’ is open today to members (it opens officially tomorrow) so I can take Helen in as my guest (G has decided to explore other areas of the V&A). As usual, it’s beautifully done, combining a biographical novel insight into the supermodel’s life plus a fabulous array of the gorgeous dresses that she wore. 

There’s one section where visitors are invited to strut their stuff catwalk style while being videod. There’s no shortage of volunteers; the exhibition’s full of women in their fashionable best. Helen needs little encouragement. She’s tall and slim with the poise of an ex-professional dancer and looks so much  younger than her 67 years. Small wonder that she quickly becomes a focus of attention! Needless to say, I don’t follow her example! 

Naomi completed, it’s on to Fragile Beauty, the blockbuster photography exhibition featuring the collection of Elton John and David Furnish. There are many, many photographs to see, all ranged thematically. To be honest, I’m probably beyond taking much in now, so it’s a case of skimming through and finding my favourites. I love the stylised fashion shots, and the groups of famous people - a young Beatles quartet, a trio of Miles Davies’ hands. I’m particularly drawn to the views of photograph and viewer through the porthole like holes within the wall. I love the flowers, and the section on Reportage is particularly strong.  

But enough is enough; my walking’s a struggle - I should have brought my stick - and I’m developing a really nasty pain, so after a quick lunch in a manically busy South Kensington, it’s back to the hotel, bidding a fond farewell to Helen. 

An afternoon rest is essential when we’re in London, but this is different as I’m feeling so uncomfortable and neither rest or pain relief seems to ease it. G leaves to meet with Simon and Lloyd for a pre-theatre meal, while I stay rooted to the bed. 

Eventually, things ease, and I just about make it to join them at Sadlers Wells for a very different Swan Lake - the acrobatic variety! It probably was a mistake to see this now with memories of last night’s sublime performance fresh in our minds, but it’s entertaining and skilful - Odette standing en pointe in a high arabesque while  balancing on Siegfried’s head is something I won’t forget anytime soon! 

Thanks so much for your kind response to yesterday’s ROH shots. My main today’s the wonderful Helen posing in the Naomi exhibition, with extras from both exhibitions, including two collages.  And I promise I’ll catch up with your journals when I get home!