Springtime joy in the big smoke

WENT to London last week. First time in two or three years. Usually I head up that way once every couple of months, but with all the stuff and nonsense of the pandemic, haven’t managed to make the trip for a while.

However, as regular readers will know, I am on a mission to take holidays within the UK for the foreseeable future. So I thought it was about time to go and have a breakaway staycation in the big smoke. Catch up with some old friends along the way too.

Must confess, after so much time away from the capital, I was mildly nervous about the journey. Which was odd. Wouldn’t normally describe myself as a country mouse, afraid of the hustle and bustle of the big city. But this time, there was definitely a touch of trepidation in my heart when we set off in the car. Not quite sure why. Maybe it just goes to show what two years of relentless propaganda by our dear beloved government can do to your ability to think straight. Thank goodness I decided to ignore almost everything they said some time ago. Very good decision that was. Also a very good way to lower the stress levels.

Naturally, everything on the journey was just fine. Apart from the mild shock of seeing how many towering new buildings have shot up in central London over the last few years. Apart from that, the scariest part of it all was when I stopped at a petrol station to fill up. Which probably scares most of us these days. But I digress.

Point is, I was staying in a place where I have spent quite a bit of time over the last couple of decades. On the east side of London, in Limehouse, close to Canary Wharf, with some friends who have lived in and around that neck of the woods for over sixteen years.

We did the things we usually do when we’re there. One day we walked along the Regents canal all the way up to Hackney to take a turn round Broadway Market. Which was very nice. Then, next day, we took a stroll along the Thames River Path, all the way into town. Stopping in the shadow of Tower Bridge, pictured inset.

Along the way, two things struck me. Firstly, the wonderful and joyous variety of human life on display in that part of the world. Seems every group of people who pass by are speaking a different language from the last one. Everywhere you look there are folks from all four corners of the globe. Which is odd, because I’m never quite sure where the four corners are on a globe. But you get the point. People obviously come from all over the place to visit, live, or work in this great city. It isn’t just a melting pot of colours, creeds and nationalities, it’s far too big and beautiful for that. It’s more of a crossroads of nations. A pantheon of peoples.

If that wasn’t enough to fill your boots with happiness, there’s also the fact that most people just seem so very lovely up there. Friendly, smiling, polite. Though that could also have something to do with the sunshine that was beaming down. Filling us all with the spirit of spring. All of which brings me neatly to the second thing I noticed whilst we were up there. You see, as my friend would be the first to admit, where he lays his hat is not the poshest part of town. There are some very posh bits round there, very posh indeed. Where property prices shoot up like rockets. Hitting a new high every five minutes. But that is not the case for my mates place. Nothing like. He would also be the first to admit that where he lives is not a very fashionable corner of the east. It’s a very lovely place to be. Definitely. But not the sort that gets rich folk reaching for their wallets.

So he will never be one of those who can sell their modest place in London, then spend the money on a marvellous mansion in the leafy suburbs of Bristol. His budget would just about get him a nice caravan on the outskirts, he reckons. But he doesn’t care. Money has never been the biggest motivator in his life. He’s more interested in having great experiences than having enormous amounts in his bank account.

Have to say, after spending time in his place, watching the river roll on by, snoozing in the sunshine that falls between the tower blocks, I think he might just have the right idea.

Hope you and yours are safe, well and happy.

Until next time, all the best