It was such a joy to see Lena again, she’s a lovely girl and I miss her. For those of you who don’t know, she is a German/French girl who lives in Berlin and she lived with us for several months, a couple of years ago, while studying at the local high school. She’s now in her last year at school and her English class is over in London this week, so I went up to Town to meet her.
I haven’t been to London for some months, not since meeting Wink at the Matisse cut-out exhibition back in the spring and then I just walked through the City to Tate Modern to meet her, I haven’t been in the West End for a year, I suppose. I love London, I feel so at home there. I’d never live in a place where it would be too inconvenient to go there for the day – a couple of hours away is about right for me. It’s tiring, mind you. I remember, when Weeza had been living in Islington for about a year, I asked her about the theatres and exhibitions she’d visited. She said that, with a full-time job, just living was enough for her. She adjusted in time, of course, and took full benefit of her years there.
Lena last visited us a year ago and gave a warm invitation to visit her and I promised I would, but I haven’t done so yet. First, there was Wink’s operation and I went to stay with her for a total of three weeks and then I was looking after Russell. But I really will soon, it’s all right to get away for a few days. I don’t feel that I can have a longer holiday while I still live here, but the time will come when I will be free to travel. Russell didn’t want to, which I regretted immensely, I really wish he had. We were both busy here with various things, mostly separately, and holidays together would have been lovely. He wouldn’t go, and that was that.
So, in future, I shall go alone or with my sister or with friends, I’ll see how it goes. I have offers already, which is great. There are so many places I’ve never been – in this country, I can take Ben with me, if I can find places to accept him, and I will get to the Continent from Norwich airport via Schiphol. Lena always enthuses about her family’s holiday home in the south of France, I’ve never been to Rome, nor to Germany, I’ve visited Poland once and loved it – there is vast choice and I would like to take the opportunities that come my way. I am looking forward to feeling able to look forward again – I won’t be there for a while yet, but I’ve been anxious for such a long time. I don’t mind if I’m not happy, but I would love to be tranquil.
Can’t you take Ben along if you go to other European countries? Dare I hope…you will visit the U.S. in the future?
Well, if I get him vaccinated against rabies – but he wouldn’t enjoy the travelling at all, and he’s so big that it wouldn’t be easy anyway. As for the U.S., I don’t see why not! 🙂
The friends I know who live/d in London were either way too busy and too skint to enjoy the cultural side of things. And then again, I have another friend who is an absolute demon at finding out all the free fun stuff that’s available.
I probably make it down to London once a year. Love being there, love coming home again!
You can take Ben to America with a Pet Passport if you are going to stay more than a few days. NYC is particularly dog friendly. I have cuddled Scotties in Saks 5th Avenue, and been greeted with enthusiasm by friendly Pit Bulls in the elevator of an apartment building in which we were renting. And I have promised Ella one day I shall walk her by the East River.
When I lived in Oxford I used to catch the coach down to London and spend the day at the V&A or the Tate, etc, etc. When I moved to London I never went to any of these places.
The museums are free, it can be cheaper to do interesting things in London than other places – and the buses are a damn sight cheaper than round here.
Ben wouldn’t really enjoy it – a long flight, busy city streets, never off the lead – and to be honest, nor would I. I’d have to plan my holiday round him rather than do what I want.
When I lived 50 yards from the beach, I only got down there a couple of times in the summer – though mind you, I liked it better in the winter anyway – still, it’s the way of things, innit?