Rossetti in Bournemouth

Today was our last day in Poole so we decided to hop on the bus and head to Bournemouth ....why? Well because I read in a  brochure there was a house that had Pre-Raphaelite art there.....I did not expect Rossetti though! So when we arrived my first adventure was in a balloon......

 You can just see Larry waving below....he doesn't like heights.......

 The balloon is anchored by a cable but does rise 500 ft (152 metres) and there were great views......

Then we headed down to the pier and a walk along the beachfront heading to the house. Along the way some great English beachside........

 The legs were a little weary so we took the cliff lift......

and then we found the house....what a hidden gem. The house was built from 1897 to 1901 as a birthday gift from Sir Merton Russell-Cotes to his wife! It is now the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.

 First a cup of tea and lunch and I had the most incredible walnut and feta pasty! And Vicki joined us once again....

 And here was the 1864 Rossetti painting I had come to see - Venus Verticordia. It is not Janey Morris and in fact x-rays have revealed underneath that Rossetti used three different models.......

 Apparently this chair suite belonged to Queen Victoria..........

 The ladies loo was pretty spectacular as well.........

 And the soap sculpture in the loo intrigued me and I found more about the artist and her project here....interesting idea!

 Embossed linen wallpaper.......

 Not a bad view of the ocean and Bournemouth pier from her bedroom......

This was an incredible and unexpected find! As I sign off it is 5pm and Larry is already having a nap and snoring! We head to London tomorrow for a few nights before the long trek home. Thanks everyone for dropping by and for leaving your comments.....more from London in a day or two! xx