The perfect London Sunday stretches infinitely ahead of me as I wake. I greet the Thames, running like a grey ribbon alongside the city underneath low-hung clouds of the same shade. There is vibrancy in the seemingly dull. London is a bright city of grey.
An Americano from Cafe Del Rey, Putney, in hand, I hop on the 22 bus to Piccadilly Circus, earphones bumping with old-school British tunes, to set the mood. It’s a day of immersion in this new home of mine. One hour later, past Fulham, Chelsea, and Hyde Park, it’s on to the Tube, Bakerloo line to Warwick station, which opens up to the gem of Little Venice, a taste of Italy in the middle of London.
After a second Americano accompanied by eggs in a diner overlooking the canal, I stroll along said canal, watching painters immortalize the scene, friends chat, and lovers meander.
Back on the Bakerloo to Waterloo and the highlight of my London Sunday. But first, a stop at Foyles for some new reading material, two travel memoirs. I’ve always been a voracious reader, but something about this city lights up my inner bookworm to no end. Maybe it’s the thought of all the literati who’ve walked these streets. Armed with my purchases, I make my way to the Southbank Centre for some tea and to wait for the 3:00 p.m. performance of the London Philharmonia Orchestra.
As I settle in to immerse myself in the music, I can think of no better way to spend a solitary afternoon, and as I leave the concert, I feel more alive than I have in quite some time.
After a stop at the local Sainsbury’s, I head home to end the day with a cuppa. And I recall Samuel Johnson’s famous quote: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
Namaste 🙂
Rachel
Small Talk 
Wow! What a lovely way to spend a winter Sunday in London. Although I was only recently “across the channel” from you, your vivid descriptions reminded me of my lingering fondness for another great European city – Paris!
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Thanks Gwen! It would be so nice to meet up in one of these great European cities sometime 🙂
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Sounds like a brilliant day. I keep meaning to write to you to suggest chatting about editing over a pie or something but life is slightly busy just now.
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Thanks for reading, Peter! There will be plenty of time for pie and chats when the dust settles 🙂
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To my shame, I don’t know London all that well, despite living barely an hour away by train! I still feel pretty much like a tourist when I go there: my favourite places are Shakespeare’s Globe (I’ve seen half-a-dozen plays there, and it’s always electrifying) the British Library, Borough Market, the National Gallery…would be great to meet up some day: you could show me around!
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Though I still very much feel like a tourist here, I’m always happy to play the tour guide! Drop me a line if you’re in town. I’m a huge Shakespeare geek but haven’t been to see a play at the Globe yet. It’s top of the list for the summer.
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How are you settling in? Got your bearing now I expect.
Jim
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Hi, Jim! It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for almost a year now. I’m having a wonderful time exploring London, and getting out to see the countryside whenever possible. Obviously I haven’t been blogging much though …
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