A Year in London
Joanna pulls the bunny out of the beanie, the flat is not selling, why don’t we rent the pub and the home in Sussex and move to London. It could be my 60th birthday present. No more cleaning.
It took us five minutes to leave our flat in West Kensington, whereas it took me an hour to leave yesterday. Kitchen surfaces to clean, constant mail to pile, a walkthrough to check windows were shut and lights were out. Then into a car, down to the Lamb Inn, which was freezing, turned on the heating. Light two wood burning stoves, all for drinks (community access as per planning amendment, don’t ask). Catch the 5:12 pm from Polegate to Clapham Junction, then Overground to West Brompton. Whereas the morning, we stepped from front door to Uber. Bliss.
Leighton House, Holland Park, was spectacular. The Arab Hall with tiled walls, some by William De Morgan, some mosaic and lots from Damascus circa mid-1500s. The painter and sculptor, Frederich Lord Leighton, was a great traveller always on his own and always with paints. His first floor studio was large and airy. Superb house.
Walked through Holland Park to Daunt books, bought Stephen Fry “Mythos”, always wanted a classical education. Next stop lunch, Carol Bamford’s Daylesford Organic, God bless her, excellent venison stew spinach and mash potato, no wine just hot water trying to be good.
Walked back to Holland Park, to see Sambourne House, home to principal cartoonist and illustrator, for Punch magazine, an early camera enthusiast, lots of nudes. Walked back to West Kensington.
Steps: 13,933 (9.7 km / 6 miles)
Expenses:
Museum £44 (2 x £22)
Coffee £10.50
Lunch £60.75
Tea £18
Uber £9.46
Total: £142.71
