Debbie Gallaway told me I had to visit Somerset House when I was in London.  I had no idea what she was talking about, but it turns out Somerset House is a grand museum of the arts, with some fantastic works by the impressionists.

I got lucky, I guess, because I happened to arrive at Somerset House on family day, when entrance was free.  Of course I had to share the museum with a gazillion little kiddies, but actually that just added to the fun.  Here's what the Somerset House website has to say about the event:

Somerset House celebrates its wonderful outdoor space, fabulous fountains and glorious galleries with a rolling programme of international arts events for all ages. Watch a performance, take part in a workshop, visit a gallery, or go on a guided tour of the exhibitions. Come along any time, any day - you can pop in for a short visit or stay as long as you like.

All courtyard events and activities are FREE. Entrance to the Somerset House collections is FREE for all on Friday, all other days normal admission charges apply. Come along any time, any day between 10am and 6pm – you can stay as long as you like or pop in for a short visit. No advance booking is necessary.

Somebody's dancing over there.

The courtyard, which features a unique fountain, is turned into a water park.

Actually I was tired and hot and it looked like fun, but nah ....

View from above.

They didn't want me taking pictures of the art in Somerset House, but I did manager to snap a shot of this very interesting staircase.

And here's one of my favorite paintings from the Somerset House's Courtald collection:  Edouard Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.  Notice how the bar maid is looking directly at you, the viewer, and in the background you can see a reflection of yourself.  Whatever it is you're saying to her, she's clearly bored.

Actually one of my favorite paintings of the day was a watercolor by Raul Dufy titled "The Passers-By."  But try as I might, I can't find a copy anywhere on the Internet.  So here's "Le bateau a voile," also by Dufy, which looks a little similar but really isn't the same at all.

Wait, look!  It's Sunday morning May 24, 2009 and I've just found this on the web.  There it is: Dufy's "The Passers-By."  I still like it.

After I left Somerset House I walked over to Trafalgar Square.

I wonder what Lord Nelson thinks of that ridiculous red rocket that's advertising a really pathetic children's film called "Thunderbirds," based on a 1960's marionette show on television.