A tired racing pigeon flapped down into the yard yesterday, so the big boy caught it and phoned its owner. He only lives in Bourne. By an astonishing coincidence we were off to London today, so we gave the (now well-fed and rested) pigeon a lift in the back of the car as far as Spalding, and released it from a layby to find its way the few remaining miles home. We watched with bated breathe as it rose into the air, and landed in an adjacent bush!!!! Doubtless it's still there! Perhaps not cut out for racing?
Up and off for 6.30am to be in the queue for Victoria & Albert's private art collection at 11am. £30 to park all day within the £8 congestion zone. The Gallery was packed to the gunnels but the collection was very touching. Indeed, they loved each other with passion, it seems. We moved on to the Royal Mews, though all the horses but two were on their summer hols! Carriages in situ though, and I was very envious of the Royal riding arena. Wouldn't half mind one of those at home! Our final ticket, for the Royal Day Out, was for the formal rooms of the Palace itself, and they were, indeed, glamorous, awesome and fab. Toilets in short supply, also cups of tea scarce so comfort a bit of an issue. The press of visitors was a real shock though the staff and crowd management techniques were really excellent. On departure we walked through Hyde Park and paused for a very late lunch in the cafe in the park. Frighteningly expensive. The Serpentine was busy and there were hordes of sunbathers enjoying the cloudy sky! Closer inspection revealed that the lake desperately needed cleaning up, the rubbish was horrible. The city was scruffy, jam packed with all nationalities, busy, noisy, crowded, rammed with traffic, smelly and a bit scary in parts. Our route out took us through North London, some areas of which seem to have been abandoned by anything even vaguely english in shopping and catering. These are ghetto areas as far as I can see. Our day out was certainly a change from rural life, and a timely reminder that perhaps we are luckier than we realise. Its good to be home!
4 comments:
Sounds like a nice day out on the town, but that scum on the pond makes me shudder. What a shame they can't keep things clean. I'd stay on the farm if I were you.
Were you allowed to take photos inside the palace and art collection?
The boys and the farmer sure clean up good when they go to the big city!
London sounds similar to my brief stopovers in New York (not the one by Coningsby!). I spent a few hours at Kennedy airport between flights on Friday and found the natives to be mostly ignorant and abrupt - quite unlike most other places I've visited in the US. Not only that, they expect you to tip them!
NO PHOTOS. ABsolutely. And airport security to get in. Everything into a tray, body scanning etc. Scary
I lived in London for several years, but twenty years agao now. It bore no resemblance to the turmoil and hotbed we visited yesterday. It must be a sign of age that I was repelled and shocked by the deterioration in the general environment, and more particularly in the outer environs of central London. No wish to stop and step outside the vehicle, that's for sure. Actually New York, Coningsby probably much nicer. Cup of coffee and a bun for £2.00 and a chat if you want one!!!
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