London never fails to deliver – it’s just a question of what it’s delivering. Paradoxes encountered whilst travelling were the order of this week. The first came as I disembarked the Tube to rise slowly up the travelator of passengers nudging their way to the distant light. A bottleneck had formed as parents with prams, commuters with rucksacks, and tourists with suitcases all vied to step on to the moving staircase. In an attempt to alleviate the crush, a Transport for London employee had found his microphone and was repeating ad nauseum “Walk on the left, stand on the right”. Judging by the look on is face, I had uttered too loudly “I can’t do both”.
Paradox two (sounds like a great film, doesn’t it?) occurred on the overground train. The brief delay getting into the carriage was caused by an impressive group of (comparatively) young businessmen who hailed from one of the Gulf states (I am guessing their travelling origin here, I admit). These gloriously-scented bastions of business were cramming onboard a very impressive range of designer holdalls and suitcases whose patterns and logos I recognised but could not recite. This paradox revealed itself upon ticket inspection, when it became clear that these gentlemen had purchased split-fare tickets. Ah, there’s nothing that beats the sight of capitalists sticking it to the (state-owned) man.
Whether the Weather
A somewhat frustrating weekend was had last week – watching the weather app show us we were experiencing wall-to-wall sunshine whilst we sat gloomily under the thick clouds. I’m so glad we had planned to have two days of barbecues in the ‘sun’. I wasn’t disappointed by the food, though – not least as I was the chef!
Once again, this week found me heading down to London for two-days of planning meetings. How I marvelled at the not-forecasted drizzle coating the lenses of my glasses as I strolled down the platform at Newark Northgate. The site of golden leaves all around the capital seem to have made a very early appearance this year. Just me?
The sun did make a brief appearance, I’m happy to add. I timed my leg-stretch perfectly (and accidentally) well, as the sun made a glorious appearance at the top of the steps leading down onto The Mall.
Auspicious Surroundings
I’ve actually been working in and around St James this week, and it’s times like this one can really feel part of the upper echelons of power in this land, even though I was the only one in a loud shirt, linen cargo pants and converse boots. I’m not sure I’d have got into one of the executive cars stationed all around in anticipation of their clients, though. I fear this could have caused a ‘Dennis Pennis’ moment if I had tried my luck.
Resisting the Snacks
As it was a morning train to London this week, and I finally managed to resist the snacks on the train. I fear my efforts will go unrewarded though, as that last celebratory single malt really wasn’t necessary. Congratulations though, Phil! Getting up early for a pre-breakfast trip to the hotel gym was the correct decision, however.
