Polite graffiti 1: Theobald's Road, London

London is definitely the place for polite graffiti. See this small time near the top of the wall to the exclusive central London greenery that is Gray's Inn. 

churches and pubs (cont'd)

That was only the beginning of our walk. A nose about various public houses and a quick drink in the perfect arts and crafts pub by Blackfriars bridge - the Blackfriar - then along the north bank Thameside path to London Bridge and onto the clipper boat to Canary Wharf.

Why? Because, the Waitrose there is the only place in London I know that you can buy buffalo milk.

churches and pubs

Had a fabulous Sunday afternoon with C, just ambling about the city; starting from the Barbican and then finding ourselves at St Pauls (free to enter on a Sunday, I guess they can’t charge the punters who just want to pray) via ancient backstreets and the wondrously named St Andrew by the Wardrobe.

St Andrews was open, just emptying out of people describing themselves as Indian Orthodox, and clearly pretty high church as we viewed the interior through a fog of incense.

still on the buses

It must already be clear that I am obsessed with everyday habits and public transport as a place where people’s private and public selves intersect. Another (London) shift that did not used to happen, is sitting on the outside of two seats.

And another conversation, having squeezed past into the vacant space (and back out again) on a crowded bus:

“ I am just interested – why do you sit on outside?”

“Oh, there was someone there before who got off.” “

That does not stop you moving over.”

“Just didn't feel like it.”

I know, I need to get a life (and don't get me going on the London 'Boris' buses...)

on public transport

Am quietly pleased in British cities were people still queue to get on the bus (for example, here in Belfast). This no longer happens in London, where getting on the bus has become a chaotic scrum. It feels like a literal manifestation of the shift since Thatcher; competitive self-interest and individualism winning out over any social niceties.

I remember really noticing the change on the tube, about 10 years ago. Someone getting on asked a fellow passenger to move further inside. The reply? “I was here first, why should I?”

otb

Much the same experience at the Baltic . Fabulous Lorna Simpson show, but got very wet getting there, and getting back (enough rain stories now).

to the coast

We have been trying to 'do' things in Newcastle, rather than just work - so took the metro out to the coast (must remember not to call it the beach) for an evening walk, fish and chips and a drink. The coast is beautiful - and so close. But, raining lashing down as usual, so instead of a bit of landscape photography, just us sheltering in the chip shop.   

sleepy

Early morning train to Newcastle again, and 3 sleeping bodies lined up in the cafe. 

wet wet wet

The local Anatolian Festival would have wound up any UKIP voter - the park full of turkish people, women in headscarves, eating pide. But actually it was just like most British summer fetes; lots of marquees with wooden tables and that strange tent/contained grass smell; lots of food stalls selling kebabs and burger and chips; a sound stage with echoing microphones, an over-large presenter and small children standing around looking shy; amateur acts of all sorts; and people dressed up in costumes seeming made out of badly dyed nylon.

And most importantly  - and making it a proper British May fete - it was pouring with rain, the ground was turning to a quagmire, and the marching band didn't look like they were going anywhere soon.

voting voting voting

Couldn't really justify being too lazy/disaffected/distracted to vote this time around; particularly when the polling station was so close, the whole process took about three minutes.

London, as usual, turns out to be a bit of an 'island' compared to the rest of the country. We are a diverse bunch - and have mainly got used to it - so that the easy blame of migration for our troubles doesn't really work here, or at least not for a majority. The UK Independence Party hardly got a look in, in the local elections.