With the boards remaining ‘red’ on the Kennet & Avon River section of the canal we have enjoyed another week of London life, embracing all that is on offer. The freedom of being able to walk for miles coupled with hopping on and off buses – my knee injury now allows me to run short distances – it’s ironic how often the bus you see in the distance is the one you want, but the bus stop is further away than imagined and the only way you are going to get there is by a quick sprint. Having arranged to meet daughter C on Friday morning at Blackfriars bridge, I realised, unless I walked incredibly fast, there was no way I would arrive at the appointed time and my hopes of a bus hop were dashed as said bus drove past me mid way between stops. Fortunately, the bus was running ahead of schedule and as I neared the bus stop I realised it was still there, so with a quick short sprint and frantic waving of hands to the driver, I managed to catch it up. C and I then had a delightful, sunny walk, to Victoria to meet up with my sister, visiting from the provinces. Lunch at Ottalengi’s cafe was a birthday treat coupled with celebrating daughter C finishing her film contract. The food was delicious, especially the vegan chocolate bomb and slice of pistachio rose cake we shared between the three of us. Well worth the twenty minute wait for a table. C then returned home to be part of a photo shoot her housemate L is involved with, prior to the release of a book she has written. L had asked me too, among others, and then found she’d asked too many people, so I got stood down – I’d been looking forward to my 15mins of fame, having my hair and makeup done! Instead, I found myself dragging my poor sister through the crowds in Oxford St to peruse my favourite bargain shop, T K Maxx. Some things I over zealously upcycled in our house move, deciding 30 year old towels did not warrant storage space, but visitors, coming to stay, find towel transportation slightly cumbersome. I decided to rectify this!
Earlier in the week my friend A came for a night and not only did we walk to every H&M in the vicinity (she was looking for a particular blouse that unfortunately had sold out everywhere) but we then walked to Marylebone Road to a hairdresser that sells an award winning hairbrush. I felt it would be a perfect birthday present from R to me! We discovered the shop was technically closed as A pushed opened the door and found her hand covered in wet paint, due to redecoration on the bank Holiday weekend! A very kind lady, realising how far we’d walked, in the rain, opened the till so i could purchase said hairbrush and, hearing it was my birthday, even included some expensive complimentary hair product for both me and A! An early night was called for once we eventually made it home coupled with a stiff G&T as a reward for an impressive step count!
The following day, we walked to the wonderful health food shop near our local swimming pool because I had noticed it stocked a brand of chocolate A was trying to buy but had been finding it difficult to get hold of. En route home a man stumbled and fell, banging his head. We waited with him until he felt stable enough to stand, and then, supporting him either side, we escorted him back to his home, a nearby homeless shelter, realising he may be in a bit of trouble for being slightly the worse for wear. He was a very friendly chap and grateful for our help, but a reminder to me how sad and difficult life is for many people and it’s all going on around us in plain sight.
A brunch with R’s nephew found us in the throws of Notting Hill and I felt very at home crossing a canal bridge, seeing the narrowboats moored up. We took a stroll along the Friday/Saturday Portabello street market, heaving with people and seemingly stretching for miles. A colourful array of stalls, presently mainly trinkets, whereas once upon a time it used to be furniture and bric a brac. Easier to take a trinket home as a souvenir I suppose! I shall return again, alone, at a quieter time, so I can meander at my own pace and not drive R mad at my dithering! There is no doubt the density of humanity takes some getting used to in our new habitat and learning when best to venture out will be a necessary skill. We are fortunate that we can retreat to the boat when it all gets too much, although it is fair to say that where we actually live is remarkably quiet for London aside from the occasional siren. You get used to them, as we also have become accustomed to the quiet tremble of tube trains beneath the house!
I didn’t think I’d ever manage to replicate the hospitality of our Farnham home in London, partly because we live in a much smaller space, but that didn’t seem to matter this week when we had twelve for supper. My friend J produced the most amazing cake – really very London posh, so what it lacked in size it made up for in taste! There was even a slice left over, as it was so rich that it easily fed a dozen of us. The blend of Farnham and London friends made me feel very at home in our new abode and excited at our new venture. There is always something new to explore, from the wine bar that has been fashioned out of a previous London ‘underground ladies and gents convenience’! Not entirely sure I want to repeat the experience – seemingly still has the original tiles on the walls! To the amazing Kings Place arts centre where we listened to a harpsicord and violin duo, performing traditional scottish tunes with a contemporary twist. They were amazing. Situated along the canalside, it incorporates a bar and restaurant, known as Rotunda, because it is round I imagine, had been on my list of places to try ever since we moored opposite it nearly two years ago. It always appeared too exclusive and I presumed expensive, but the actual arts centre is priced so that it is affordable and enables the emergence of new talent.
A short return to the boat to spring clean and fill the water tank, which took a very long time as it was totally empty. We entertained a two year old who loves Rosie & Jim, so her grandparents thought a trip to a real narrowboat would be fun, which it was. Be even more fun once we can move, but it’s been good to get back on the water and to feel the gentle rocking of the boat as we go to sleep. I had forgotten how much it does that, especially when R or I are just moving around! Fortunately we came back on a hot and sunny day, our dehumidifiers had worked a treat, so there was no feeling of dampness. Just a host of spiders webs and a gentle layer of dust to be swept away. The river is still running fast and overnight there was yet another downpour but we are feeling more confident that returning to the waterways is just around the corner!
NarrowboatTLC 