I have a friend who is going to become an expat in March- leaving us in London behind for a sunnier climate and hopefully a sunshine filled work and private life.
She recently posted on the social network that I wish I wasn't on but still am (!) about what would everyone do if they only had one month left in London. That really got me thinking- leaving London wouldn't be for me anyway- but if I was for whatever reason what would my goodbye things be- and what are the things I've always meant to be but still not managed to in ten years of calling London home.
Well the things I said were a must if you were leaving, however many times you've done them, were Borough Market, Columbia Road market, walking the Southbank from Wesminster to Shad Thames (and stopping all the way for South bank food, for the Globe, Tate Modern, St Paul's, Borough again of course and up into the city past the Tower, Tower Bridge and beyond. I also thought at least one more theatre visit would have to be made and at least one more long park walk followed by a roast if it was Winter or at least one more picnic in the Summer- Kensington Gardens or London Fields are my favourites for different reasons.
The things I haven't yet done, well that's more interesting-I've never been inside the Houses of Parliament, nor have I climbed the Monument, I still haven't had tea or anything else at the Ritz (though frankly I've had pretty much every other tea in London and suspect that I have not missed a huge amount), I haven't ridden in Hyde Park, I haven't used a Boris bike (yes I know). There is an endless list of haven't, which is part of the reason London is never boring- but this year I intend to get on top of the things I haven't done and stop doing the same things, much as I love them ;-)
(As an aside don't get me started on the non London things I haven't done! Cheltenham festival, Goodwood (horses and cars versions), Hay on Wye, all of the Highlands (and islands)... so much to do... I might just have a little rest first.
3 comments:
I think that sounds like a good plan. I just wished my 82 year old step-mother a happy birthday and she told me "life is just too short to not do the things that make you happy." She is a very wise woman.
I had a similar realisation when I moved away and being back I feel hyper aware of all the things I want to do and see. However most of all I have enjoyed walking round and marveling that I *live* here. In this most wonderful of cities. Now you've got me thinking, I really should put together a list, Kew gardens is fairly close to the top of it. That and the million and one restaurants which have all opened and I really want to try! So much to do, so little time.
I had a similar realisation when I moved away and being back I feel hyper aware of all the things I want to do and see. However most of all I have enjoyed walking round and marveling that I *live* here. In this most wonderful of cities. Now you've got me thinking, I really should put together a list, Kew gardens is fairly close to the top of it. That and the million and one restaurants which have all opened and I really want to try! So much to do, so little time.
Post a Comment