Last Friday night five of us take pizza and beers up to Primrose Hill, sit, look out across the city lights, debate our favourite London building. C says he wants to move to the country, I say, what, no, and give up all this? The next night the riots start. We wake to the news Sunday, disbelieving. Sunday night there are more, elsewhere. Monday, reading the papers, the disbelief, the shock is still there.
After work M and I go for a run, run to the top of Primrose Hill, lungs bursting. It begins to rain, heavily, but there is sun too, and a double rainbow. We pound back down the hill. At home we follow the news all evening, increasingly stunned at what we are seeing, eventually force ourselves to bed.
I have no words, really. Or, I have words, but they are confused, half formed, not ready to commit to print.
I will though, say this: London is still, to my mind, a wonderful city. Still my home. Still has my heart.
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C took the photo last Friday night, I think. Camera balanced on pizza empty pizza boxes. I like it. Unfocussed, it sums up a little how I feel.
Beautiful post my dear, it's been such a mixed up week all in all. I love this city so much
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It's so shocking and so sad, to watch this from afar. I love London, and I'm sure it will recover from this. But I can't imagine how you must feel, being right there, so near the senseless violence. Thinking of you. Keep believing in your city... it will come back from this.
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a strange week, hasn't it? I hope you and your friends and loved ones have all been safe. x
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. I can't even begin to imagine that happening in my own city; we're all thinking about you guys up here.
ReplyDeleteI hope it all works out, keep safe.
ReplyDeleteThis. I(as a non-Londoner who loves London) have been trying to write about it, and I can't. Your honesty is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful post. It must be very difficult to understand. I am without words. Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteI love London too.
ReplyDeleteAm thinking of all of you over here in Australia. London will always be one of my favourite cities in the world after backpacking there when I was a student years ago.
ReplyDeleteStay strong and keep safe.
Lovely post. I compleley agree too, how to put it in words? I have tried to focus on the positives buts its tricky. Thank goodness its all started to die away now.
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