As you can see, things haven't changed much at all … the usual insane crowds of French and American tourists yelling at one another, the same bomb threats, the same sushi in the park … God, I've missed it.
I popped in to the office over lunch and things got a little huggy and squealy - and that was just the security man. It was great to see everyone again and to discover that my old chair still creaks like a fart-storm when I lean back in it.
The parks are still my favourite places to hang (and to eat the fabulous sushi the chef in the Japan Store makes to order as you watch and marvel). And of course the girls are still as pretty (I've missed that, too).
I took a few photos of the Parasite House for Lynn. Otherwise she'd have never forgiven me.
The Abbey looks as gorgeous as ever as I walked the familiar route to "work" (the office is just down the street you can see in the bottom right-hand corner of the photo, and then turn left).
Anyhoo … the reason I was there was that the old office had called and asked if I'd provide some holiday cover by working at home over the next couple of weekends. Never one to turn down good hard cash and free tickets to London, that's just what I'm doing.
More random photos of London to follow.
23 comments:
Oh it is so nice to see your walk again, although I know that the comute is not missed.. great pics as always.x
A year? Has it been that long already, sugar? xoxxoo
The commute is certainly not missed, but the walk across London, all along the river and through the parks is something I would happily do every day.
Savannah, it's been eleven months, though walking into the office it could have been yesterday.
And I'm back again for another meeting on Monday. Yay!
xoxoxo
Gorgeous! Thanks for the para um the house of our wonderful Royal family pic ;D
congrats on the extra work. Good for the soul as well as the pocket. Lovely photos too.
What a great day! I have missed your London photo posts, especially the shots of the gardens. Enjoy the work.
Hee hee, Lynn. I couldn't possibly go to London and not take those for you.
Thanks, Pea. Good for the soul indeedy.
Robyn, I am actually enjoying it. I do miss the Trust.
Why do all those tourists look so cranky? They all look kind of pissed off instead of insanely lucky to be there.
Enjoyed your photo tour! Looking forward to more of random London.
And good for you on the extra work and change of scene. Sounds like you're enjoying it.
Wow! What's that photo with the fountain in it? What are we looking at? It's a lovely skyline and a big crowd.
Such a beautiful part of London.
Maria, most of London's tourists are from the US of A and when they find that London is not built on a grid, but is instead an impossibly entangled knot of streets and alleys and that they actually have to walk miles between landmarks they end up standing on corners and shouting at maps. In my own experience they also have no understanding of the fact that people actually have to work there and that we don't exist like some Disney theme park simply for them to gawk at.
Ms.M: more random London coming up. And yes, it is so refreshing to be working on schools again.
Petrea, that is the view of delightful roofscape of the old Palace of Whitehall (now government offices) from the bridge over the lake in St.James's Park.
The people you see are watching a rehearsal for the trooping of the colour on Horseguards' Parade at the end of the park. You can just about make out a bunch of soldiers in red (yup, redcoats - we're still waiting to take back our colonies) in their big furry black hats.
I thought those were the red coats! Wonderful shot.
The knotted, confusing streets of London are one of the (many) things that make it such a delight. Can't wait to visit again.
London can't wait for you to unravel it's knotted streets, Petrea.
What kind of work do you do on schools? New design? Remodel? Restoration?
I'd rather get lost in them, Dive.
This reminds me of my many trips to London, and it certainly makes me miss the city. Sounds like a nice change for you to be back at this office.
Ms.M, everything from designing complete new schools down to refurb work, but mostly individual projects at existing schools, such as new theatres, sports halls, science labs, music departments, just about anything and everything. I really miss it.
Petrea, that's all too easy, but it can be tremendous fun (unless you're late for a meeting).
Pilgrim, it is refreshing, even though I've been working my ass off all weekend to beat Monday's deadline.
Lovely city. I love going to the city. For all the cranky tourists and cabbies and pickpockets, nothing can beat the city.
My daughter loves city living and is bored to tears back here in the boonies.
Nice to see you on your old stomping ground again, Dive. It does sound like you miss it so what a great thing to have an occasional freelance school project. You should stash that money away for something special just for funsies. London sounds and looks like quite an action packed place. Other than living in them, yes, city life would be an excitement.
(Of course, I'm in the stairwell taking cover from a tornado sweeping through town so that's the kind of excitement I've got currently. Oy vey-this weather!)
Neetzy, much as I love the city I could never live there; I need absolute peace and quiet to sleep. I love being able to enjoy both extremes when I choose.
Shan, I caught all that on the news. Please tell me you and the family are safe. Having weather that tries to kill you must be truly scary. I might moan about English weather but the worst it does it tip water all over me.
Yes, I missed London even more than I realised. I was back again today, and have the chance of another couple of days in June. Yay!
I've lived in tornado alley all my life and have gotten a bit flippant about tornado drills. After seeing Joplin I have a renewed healthy fear again!
I just bet you DO miss the action of your old work. I know you loved it so. Glad you are getting some free visits out of the deal! I know you were a sight for their sore eyes at the old place. Maybe you can keep that duel jobbing up and have the best of both scenarios! :)
Heehee. Or "dual" jobbing that is. It sorta works both ways.
That would be cool, Shan, but there's only enough extra work for me to do for the couple of months (May and June) before all the school's summer building gets under way. Still, it's nice to be back, even for a little while.
A healthy fear of tornados is a good thing. Those scenes on the news these past couple of weeks have been truly horrifying. Stay safe!
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