My London week …
Paul Rothe & Son. Get a sarmie, coffee and the best jams ever!
Another turn around the sun. Birthdays are becoming a little … oh dear, another one, really? Really? Really. Strange thing is the idea of 63 was a bit spooky; 63 features in so many stories. JFK, Profumo affair, defection of Kim Philby to Moscow…
Turning 64 means I am one year closer to having the Freedom Pass. Then I can jump on every train and bus all over the muddy Isles to my heart’s content. Now I have the Oyster Over 60’s card giving me free travel in London, and what a plus when you are a tour guide.
My Birthday week: Warm weather turned to Autumn chill without warning, one sunny afternoon. Even the leaves seemed confused. Basking in 20 degrees and then boom, coats and beanies. When I think about my age, my bones are stiffer in the morning, I lean forward to hear and think I’ll get back to that exercise routine, apres croissant.
I love this time of the year. Crunching time of leaves beneath my feet, pumpkin spice in coffee, pumpkins in the Kitchen garden at Ham House. So many squirrels. And crows …
Pumpkins and Friends at Ham House, Richmond
The tours are slowing down for the season. Still plenty to do but now I find I have days to take London a little easier. To indulge more; taking long walks, stopping to watch the cavalry cross Horse Guards Parade, window shopping. Christmas is creeping in with baubles and good intentions in the large department stores. John Lewis and I have a particularly close Christmas relationship.
My birthday was spent in Cambridge. There is something about taking the train from King’s Cross, easing out of the station, passing small towns with grace. I fall in love with my memories on a train. The city is a heart place too. College scarves, cobbled streets and eavesdropping on the local guides - sort of a kinship thing. I know it too well.
The rest of the week was filled with tours around Borough Market, the city mile, Roman walls and gin distilleries - telling tales of Mother’s Ruin, dirty river water, urchins, eels and tasting cheese at Neal’s Yard Diary, sausage rolls at The Ginger Pig and Humble Crumble. Mmmm that Humble Crumble …
Always remember the joy of travel.
I finished one of my tours at The Churchill War Rooms and wandered towards Somerset House to begin the next - in one street, tourists were lined up to take the perfect shot with the Elizabeth Tower in the background. Sometimes I may get a little irritated with the crowds, the stopping dead at the entrance to the platform or on the wrong side of the escalator but embrace these amazing people who save and dream of coming to London.
Whitehall was closed for the protesters. Police everywhere for a march about to start. A mere few metres and all was different. Countries at war. Angry flag waving. I think of the news the past week and pray for all the innocents. I lost someone dear this week, too soon.
St Paul’s Cathedral. Many candles lit here for loved ones.
This city is volumes, chapters of stories. Cameos of life in different neighbourhoods. The diversity is what attracts so many to live here - at times it is not a simple thing. She demands much but gives a thousand fold. The shops die on the high streets whilst the soldiers march in the park. The music man clashing the forks at my tube station, whistling tunes from far away. Vignettes of choices and consequences.
I get lonely sometimes, and the story will be told. Yet I am never alone in London. I simply need to shut the door and step into the midst of life. Exhilarating, historical, multicultural life.
A little bit older but I get to have that. Till next time I leave you with a lovely video of London in Autumn.
Be Brave and Kind xxx
London Autumn Sunset 2023 thanks to Mostly Walking.