Saturday, August 19, 2023

Introduction to 2023 Travels

Mentone Hotel, London, across Cartwright Gardens
When I began my math-related travels back in 2016, I worked hard each day to keep up with my blogging.  This sometimes kept me up until 2am.  Seven years on, I no longer hold myself to that exhausting regimine, but now I've let 5 months go by without blogging even once about my most recent math travels!  And I'm leaving in less than three weeks for my next expedition, so I guess I'd better start posting.  This is my Math Sab Plus blog, so it's not all math; in fact it's quite a lot of other stuff, but I try to tie in the math history.  

Mentone Hotel, London
I stayed at the Mentone Hotel because it was located between the British Museum and the British Library.  The purpose of my travels is always that of study, so the location was excellent.  I got in on a Friday night, which is the one night of the week that the British Museum is open "late," so after picking up a few things at the Tesco Express just outside the Russel Street tube station and dropping off my luggage, I ran right over to the British Museum.  (I don't like to waste a minute of my travels.
British Museum

British Museum
As usual, the first thing I wanted to see was the Rosetta Stone.  As usual, that's what everyone else wanted to see too!
Rosetta Stone
But, with some patience, a clear shot is possible.
Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone

I then headed over to the display of items associated with mathematician and conjurer John Dee.  I rarely see anything new at the British Museum -- mostly stop by to visit old friends.
John Dee's Wax Seals

John Dee's Crystal Ball and Obsidian Mirror

Four Castles Gold Disk of John Dee
And then some other favorites -- the Royal Game of Ur, the Lewis Chessmen, the Elgin Marbles, and the Winged Bulls of Nineveh.
The Royal Game of Ur

The Lewis Chessmen

The Elgin Marbles

A Winged Bull of Nineveh
I love the central courtyard, day or night!
British Museum

British Museum

British Museum

British Museum

British Museum
I felt good about how much I was able to take in on that first evening, and then I had the treat of a beautiful walk back to the hotel on a spring evening.

Russell Square

Russell Square

Walking along Marchmont Street

Walking along Marchmont Street