Dearest London

I don’t know why I love this city so much. Many would tell you it was a heartless place, a ruthless place, a selfish place, but to me, it is a wondrous place.

As a child my father would whisk me through its city smog on Sunday mornings, like a tour guide on crack. Maybe that’s why I love it so much; it was the only time during my childhood that my father and I truly found common ground. As he took me to see the lone palace-guard standing motionless in his ‘secret’ place, we bonded - like a father and son should.

As a young man in my early twenties, I would often take solitary day-returns to the National Gallery, or to sit on the steps of Trafalgar Square and just watch the people pass by. Even now, as a man approaching forty faster than the speed of light, I still consider a day-return to London as an unsurpassable adventure. I still love to sit and watch and wonder, as the people pass me by on its streets still paved with gold.

Tomorrow is my brother's wedding. It shall be the first time in twenty years my estranged family will all sit together, in the same room. I guess that’s why I’ve found myself writing about London today. The place my father and I briefly found our common ground. The place my father and I bonded - like a father and son should.

Comments

[J]

Ah, dear old London, was there last weekend too... woundrous place, no doubt!

Wish you a great time at the wedding - family bonding is a warm feeling indeed!

[M&M]

Wow Andre, this was really touching.
I hope tomorrow will go well........try not to look to the past too much though....it usually does no good.
And I have only been to London 4 times in my life, but I loved it. Has so much character and charm.....stays within you somehow..

[Vanessa]

Good luck. I loathe weddings.

[mag]

A beautiful post, Andre. Maybe if you moved there it would loose some of this magic...

[Robin]

Oh no! you're making me homesick again, like your photo's, I've lived in one of the prettiest parts of the country for nearly 20 years now but I still miss my home 'town' and just like you I also remember trips to the museums with my dad, just a few snatches of quality time from an otherwise alcoholic compulsive gambler.
Sometimes a little glimpse of what could have been can be crueler than nothing at all.
I too hope all goes well tomorrow

[Cheerful One]

I've lived here twenty years and none of the magic has gone, especially on a day like today when the sunshine made even the traffic jams look glamorous.

Hope it's OK tomorrow.

[Vaughan]

Andre - As you know, I'm not always the greatest fan of this city I live in, but it's memories like that, of seemingly ordinary moments just experiencing the unfolding of life around you, that makes a place special.

As for getting an estranged family together in one place at one time, my thoughts will be with you. I know how tough that can be.

A really touching, wonderful entry.

[corrine]

What a great post. I spent my teen years living/working in London.I loved walking, walking, sitting and people watching. I miss the sounds, the smells, the architecture old and new.

good luck with the wedding.

[andre]

J - family bonding is not going to happen.

M&M - I shall not be looking at anyone but the bride and groom

Vanessa - I loathe them too

Mag- I have often wondered if I moved there how my feeling for the Capital would change.

Robin - I am sure the briefest of happy moments are better than none at all

Cheerful One - yes, a glamorous traffic jam could only be found in London

Vaughan - Thank you, now do you see why I was so excited about the cafe we sat in ... eating our full English breakfasts?

Corrine - thank you too

Now the big wedding news ... I HAVE A SPOT ON MY NOSE ... I SHALL BE WEARING A PENGUIN OUTFIT ... photos [may] follow ...

[Robin]

Andre, you're right, of course.
Now see how far you've come? I'm proud of you young man!

(haven't you got a 'red nose' left over from last year you could wear?)

[mag]

yeah, all this manor calls for is pinguin immersed in reading. Where is a picture?

[Nick]

Ah yes, now I remember. Damn! Why did I ever move away?

[Green]

My dad was a Cockney. He died in 1996 but not before showing me his home. Nice little post. Thanks :-)

[susan]

if only london were a day-return away... you have excellent taste in cities :)

[Virg]

WOW Andre .. it only seems like yesterday we were all helping with ideas for your speech .....
Please tell me what you finally came up with .... I just loved that post and everyone's contributions ..... it was truly a global brain storm about love and marriage.
I truly hope it is a wonderful day ....

I lived in London for 7 years .... met my husband there ....made loads of great friends that I am still in touch with and learnt loads .... I must admit I did complain about the weather ( alot! )ha ha !!

Can't wait to hear all about the wedding .....

[little red]

WOo Hoo - whos looking rather swish in his suite then !! Grandma G looked lovely & the bride was truly beautiful. Looks like it was a wonderful day :-)

[Robin]

My you do look dapper! (but should you have been checking out that young lady's Bristol's like that?)

[andre]

Whoops ... and she's a police officer too ...

[Virg]

Great pics Andre .... and you looked gorgeous !!! oh and the bride tooo of course .....
Weddings are a great place to met gals .... any talent there .. come on Andre you can tell us ......

[Virg]

and the speech .... don't forget to tell us about the speech !!!

[andre]

Oh, nearly forgot ... nobody mentioned the spot on my nose ... and all the ladies were sooooooo jealous of my hair ... am going to have a lie down now ... am exhausted

[J]

Thanks for showing the photos, really nice!!! :)

[J]

Ah, and you were - are :) - v handsome!

[cosmosgirl]

Wow, what an a m a z i n g coincidence that today, of all 365 days if the year, and of all the light years, I have read the post on...London. But then, is there such a thing as a coincidence?

[jasmine]

Yay for Grandma G!!! She looks so happy.

The pics are wonderful!

[andre]

Hi jasmine - Grandma G had a lovely time ... and she really is the happiest pensioner alive