Glorious Days, Pink People & Jack
May 24, 2010 –
Oh how fab is this weather? I absolutely love it, it feels like I am on holiday, somewhere warm and balmy. I have been buying lovely plants and herbs for the balconies – it is truly delightful out there. You must come visit.
Long may it continue! Mind you, Ive seen a couple of lobsters around – and they werent intended for my lunches either. Lots of folks walking around looking very pink or even bright red. Not a great look, it looks so sore, ouchy ouch - I so wish they would put some sunscreen on or better still not bake themselves in the full sun (I sound like my mother).
I would rather die than get sunburn (ok not exactly die :) I remember having lunch with Miss Dollymopp last year and we went somewhere by the river; al fresco. It was a nice sunny day and we were both paranoid of the sun getting at us – we were inching our seats under the canopy at the same time, to be in the shade, to save our skin :)
So whilst enjoying this wonderful weather, I did something I have had on my to-do list for ages. I actually booked to do it last year but it was winter, and cold and wet and so I didnt go. I am a fair weather adventurer I am afraid.
I went on a Jack the Ripper tour last night. I did mention it to the fellas who I used to see whilst on tour in London before I moved here and some back in the SW too. So, guys I eventually got round to it.
What is it with people? People like me (and you, if you have been too :) Why are we so morbid? I guess its the same mentality of people watching a hanging, although I would like to think I would draw the line at that! The tour had so many people on it, must have been 150; people just turn up and pay their money and away we go. It was ok though, you got to hear everything that was said. So a jaunt around the east end of London was the order of yesterday. I have always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper. Actually, not just Jack but Victorian life in general, below stairs as it were. I did mention to a couple of the fellas that me going on that tour felt a little – well, wrong – on several levels – a tour about someone butchering prostitutes? Hmm. It wasnt the prostitute element that fascinated me, although that was very interesting, those poor ladies in the 19th century – a very tough life. I have always been more intrigued with the other end of the industry though. The not so blatant world in which ladies had so much more freedom and independence than other women of the age. Girl power if you like. Oh and the glamour and mystery, of course, that has always piqued my interest too :)
I try and have a day off each week (usually a weekend) to be a tourist here in London. I didnt want to make the same mistakes I have made in the past when living somewhere but never actually getting to know the place. So far I have seen the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, been to Tate Britain, Museum of London, Victoria & Albert Museum, a tour of Westminster, a visit to the Houses of Parliament, visits to Borough Market, Columbia Flower Market & Portobello Road, Westminster Abbey, oh and a tour around Covent Garden plus more; and then theres all the restaurants and other invites – I am getting around a fair bit -phew! Lots more to see and do though and it only gets better in this weather. I am available in London throughout Flaming June (crossed fingers) and can tell you all about my new adventures when we meet. x




