Sunday In London

I've had the best of times.

The best.

Nu is a panacea for most ills and meeting her lightened my heart more than anyone else in this world could possibly do.

On Friday we went to Hawksmoor on Air Street for dinner followed by WALDEN which is a sort of Syfy drama staring the glorious Gemma Arterton. The theater felt safe and welcoming and the play proved to be thoughtful and well acted. 

We went back to Ealing for too much gin and conversation so was muzzy headed for the start of Kew Gardens on Saturday 

Kew, as always was a delight and sunburnt and tired we followed that with cinema inBrentford

Where we saw a fantastic movie called AFTER LOVE staring the comedian actress Joanna Scanlon as a middle aged Muslim Convert who finds out her recently deceased Pakistani husband had led a secret life for 14 years.

Set around Dover, this brooding drama is wonderfully shot and impeccably acted with the dumpy and fallorn Scanlon as a true standout. Her performance, which wavers between stark grief to quiet acceptance literally breaks your heart.

It was Nu's first visit to the cinema post lockdown and she cried when the film started

We both did.

 After the pics we met up with Nu's hubby Jim for a fantastic " Street meal" in an Indian in Northfields which just about set me up for today.

Big breath

Today we had brunch near soho with Nu's sister Margie who I've known nearly as long as Nu

Then it was a quick run to a Tapas bar off Charing Cross Road to meet Sitges John and his boyfriend Geoff.

It's two years since we properly met up and it was fantastic to have a reunion 

Tonight, I'm resting with my old dear friend Going Gently. I've been upgraded at my hotel and window overlooks St Paul's Church in Central Covent Garden .

I was tickled pink.

So what's happening right now?

I'm people watching

As I write this with fat fingers and my phone.

Covent Garden is busy, but not overly crowded

I'm sat with a bottle of wine , calamari and tended to by an over protective Italian waitress who strangely thinks I am deaf. 

I'm on my own , but I'm happy to be here.

Happy that I am loyal to friends who are loyal to me

Happy to be feeling human again

Kew

 

Tick...Tick

 

 The View Through Your Window competition has been an enjoyable romp 

Please send one in if you haven’t already, they all have been a joy to look at.

( send to jgsheffield@hotmail.com) 

This one is my provisional favourite, particularly because of the drama of the background 

Yesterday I prepared the cottage for my friend Ruth who is cottage sitting for a few days .

Long list of instructions for dogs, cat, tv, internet, heating, and vets have been asked for and left....tick

Clean bedding.....tick

Clean toilet..........tick

Nice food in fridge.....tick

Emergency contacts...tick

I’ve told her Affable despot Jason and Trendy Carol will be on hand if disasters happen

I am so looking forward in seeing Nu....we have never spent so much time apart since she went to work in Saudi in the 1990s

I am going to cry buckets when we finally meet

I know we both will .

London

Finally it’s almost time to live a little. On Friday I’m off to London to see Nu. We have theatre, cinema, meals out, Kew Gardens and lots of gossip to catch up on. 

I’m staying two nights with her, then on Sunday I’m catching up with my friend John from Sitges before returning home on Monday. I’ve booked myself into a lovely hotel right in the centre of Covent Garden on Sunday night ...The Z Hotel is rather bijou and is tucked away behind St Paul’s Church, which couldn’t be any better and at 45£ a night . I’m laughing.

And more

 

Windows to the world

I’m shallow enough to enjoy receiving birthday cards, and didn’t sleep properly until 2pm when I remembered that the lane had been closed to traffic ( including the postman) all day because of remedial road works.

Thank you all for your good wishes 

I was on catch up all yesterday after that and was late to pop in to my sister’s to wish her a happy birthday.

The view from your window seems to be gathering a pace somewhat with some delightful photographs of faraway places. 

Keep your entries coming ...to jgsheffield@hotmail.com