virginia's bedroom

Virginia Woolf's bedroom.

Monk's House, Rodwell (Sussex).

via the persephone post

Dreaming about...

...Italy.
Image source.

Exploding Rats

The Australian War Memorial currently has an exhibition on animals in war ('A is for Animals') and the latest issue of their magazine Wartime features the 'exploding rat' developed by the Special Operations Executive. There's an 'interactive' display at the UK National Archives site (source of the above image). On the Australian War Memorial site one can also read about the Dickin Medal ("the animals' VC").

Squirrels of France

It is perverse to add Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte to the 'must see' list just because of the heraldic squirrel connection. Paris Breakfasts has some images. Sadly it is closed in Jan./Feb., but just thinking about their restaurant called 'L'Écureuil' makes me happy. I'd settle for a mug...

Images: top: www.chapitre.com; bottom: Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Things I Must See

Ever since I saw a poster of this vase about 15 years ago, I have had the Musée Guimet high on my list of Things I Must See. I am determined to get there next year. The web site says it is temporarily closed due to a "serious technical injury" (one hopes it is not the smashing of this vase; cf. the Fitzwilliam Museum debacle).

Mille Fleurs famille rose vase. China, c. 1736-1795 (H. 48cm). Image source: Musée Guimet, Paris (inv. no. G 3444). The web site is a nice one, and you can send yourself a postcard of various lovely things.