Most of my work for the past 18 months
or so has been in the North. This is great in most repects, but it
does mean that I visit London less and so I see London friends less.
My usual practice has been to work, then meet up for an evening drink
before catching the 8pm train home. This has worked well for the past
13 years. So as not to loose touch with people I decided to use a
couple of free return tickets I had to go to London and catch up.
Walking from town to Muswell Hill via
Islington and Crouch End was a great experience, seeing so many
places from my time in London. I saw Mark in Exmouth Market for a
coffee and came away with the usual bag-ful of books he gives me [he
is a publisher]. This time this included a book on the Olympics
[popular with Rowan] one on Fonts [both Danielle and I will like
that] and a novel written entirely in questions?
Next stop was to see Paul and Coral in
Crouch End in their new house, then up to stay with David and Cathy
and Jessie in Muswell Hill. Just great to catch up. David runs the
Royal Free Hospital – now that is a big job.
Next day I walked via Ally Pally, Wood
Green [where we used to live and I used to work] then past my old
house in Tottenham. My neighbour from 16 years ago was in her garden
so I had a chat which was great. Then on into the city to see Andy
who I have known for 35 years since we met on day one at Liverpool;
again great to catch up.
So all in all quite an emotional couple
of days.
The photo is of Lavender Dale in the Wolds, a very shallow dry valley.