My London trip
Although I was with Julie and Emma, the two most important women in my life, I'm calling this entry "my" because it is a place where I am going back to: the place where I was born and raised, and a place that has all sorts of memories for me some good (which I will share with you), some bad (which will either stay in my journal or with Julie and Emma who were with me whilst I sorted them out, and for that I will always be grateful to them).
I wasn't too sure about going back to the "old country," but as you will see, I'm glad I did. Mainly because I got to see it through tourist's eyes, which make our perceptions different. So let's go!
The flight over to London was fairly straightforward. Looking out of the plane window as we flew over the English countryside I remembered the words of a poem I had to learn as a child, something about "This England..... This green and sceptered Isle" Obviously Tennyson or Kipling or whoever it was, was unaware that there isn't much green and verdant land in Souf-east London. Just Council flats with concrete cancer!
I wondered how I would react to seeing England again, it was quite a strange but not unpleasant feeling. I knew and felt that I had some connection to the place, but it was so long ago, that I still can't put it into words. The first couple of instances that I became aware that I was "back," was when I saw a London double decker bus, and saw Woolwich Arsenal a train stop.
Our serviced apartment was just a stone's throw away from St Paul's Cathedral, which is very swish, and we could hear the parish church bell chime it's homely chime (I've suddenly come over all Jane Austin!)
The first full day in London opened very well. Breakfast near St Paul's, with the Cathedral just behind us, and a statue of a regal but slightly snooty Queen Ann looking down on us.
Next we walked around the part of London where I used to live and work, so that Julie and
Emma could see a bit about my English life. Sadly the office block,and pub which were once part of my daily life had disappeared years ago! But we took a photo of the view I used to have when I walked out the door. As you can see, it has been done before
The walk around the Houses of Parliament was fascinating. A cup of coffee WITHIN the Parliamentary grounds meant that I had a great shot for the Out My Window photo album.
Next we caught a bus to Trafalgar Square, so that Julie could see The Square and Nelson's Column. Of course being Julie, she was immediately attracted by the Lions, and I told her she was behaving like a soccer hooligan by trying to climb all over the statues!
Next was a stop off at Charing Cross Station which used to be part of my daily commute. It occurred to me that although the thought of fifty years commuting courtesy of British Rail was not for me, many people feel that they have a good life and are pretty happy with their lot, and the daily commute is just part of the deal. So good on 'em. By the way, my station was Kidbrooke.
The night ended with Jule, Emma, and I taking a walk across Southwark bridge to look at the lights and the river at night. The last time I had gazed down into the a River Thames at that time of night and on my own, was the time I decided that it was time to go to Australia to see what life would bring. This time I was looking at the river and lights with the two beautiful women life has brought me, and my wonderful son who was with us in spirit. Not sure what mental processes have taken place but ultimately here I am, just another tourist in just another city to enjoy seeing and ticking off the sights. Being a tourist really seems to influence how differently you perceive and enjoy places that were once so everyday and familiar.
So having been to London "twice" I've "been there done that" Tomorrow is music day with two of THE sights!!!!! Covent Garden Opera House, and Abbey Road, land of The Beatles. Then it was an unplanned visit to Lords, and scheduled trips to Royal Opera House Covent garden, and to a west end play called The Lady Killers.
I know Julie has covered these topics more than adequately in her blog, so l'll just add some photos.
I had a quiet laugh to myself when I saw an old styled number 53 double decker bus.
This bus was one of the two buses I used to catch on my daily commute to high school. At the end of the day, we would all pile onto the top deck of the bus and tune in our transistor radios (a ground breaking high tech invention at that time) to one of the two pirate radio stations that were broadcasting at that time. So that the whole top deck sounded like one very big, very LOUD radio station. Of course this always provoked the bus conductor to climb up the stairs and tell us to,
"Turn the radios off!,"
Which of course we did, until he went back down stairs, ..... When we turned the things back on again! Oh well......happy days!
Another thing about becoming a tourist was that I could now also observe and relate to the English as I do the Spanish, French, Portugese, etc. each nationality having their own national characteristics, some attractive, some not. I was amazed how considerate and friendly the English could be.
On my last day in London, I caught up with my cousin, who is more like my big brother to swap stories, catch up on family stuff, and re acquaint myself again with English beer and pub food! Then it was meeting Emma's work colleagues and house mate before transferring hotels for a VERY EARLY start on day one! tour two.
Just hanging around
Kermy likes a good fire
Kermy tries to look to the light
