The Russell-Coates Museum

Winter has certainly arrived now and with only a few beautiful exceptions the leaves have fallen from the trees and have mushed underfoot. We wrapped up well and walked into town to visit the Russell-Coates Museum and Art Gallery.

It was all decked out for Christmas and looking even more sumptuous than ever, which is saying something because even on a normal day it is stuffed to the very high rooftop, in typical Victorian style, with all manner of objets d'art. The dining table was set - when was the goose going to arrive on a splendid platter!

It is an enormous building, with many of the rooms facing out to sea, some with windows opening onto balconies, it must have been a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by, to see people strolling up and down the promenade or out along the pier.

In the hall someone was playing the grand piano and the music floated through the rooms that lead off from this central space. The sound really added to the atmosphere of the place. Two young girls in museum dressing-up clothes hung over the balcony to watch and listen.

Everywhere I looked there were lovely things to photograph, but because of the lighting it was difficult to capture what I wanted, reflections and bright pinpoints of light distorted the picture. There is going to be a candle-lit evening event later this month. I'm sure that will be a lovely experience.