Thursday, March 13, 2008

Day Tripper.. yeah..

I feel like a new woman today. I decided yesterday that I would go to London after all, and visit the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park. Sister was coming with me, but she had a bad attack of the "builders" yesterday, in that they started knocking the render off the outside walls of her flat, and into her garden. They had threatened to come back again today, so she didn't dare leave them to it. I therefore ended up going on my own. Actually, it was quite fun. I started off by missing my train from Hove, so had to catch one to Brighton and change. I then decided to get off at Gatwick and catch a Victoria train, which was more convenient for Sloane Square. Unfortunately, I ran for the wrong train, and ended up on a Gatwick Express by mistake. The Ticket Collector lady was so lovely though (quite unexpectedly). I explained that I had run for the train and was too late to jump off again, and she was charming. I showed her my ticket (a Senior Railcard/Day Tripper) and she politely invited me to sit down and enjoy my journey. I got to Sloane Square and caught the Courtesy Bus to the Art Fair (very comfy) and then met up with some friends. My Artist Friend (Bosham and Kirdford) has some pictures exhibited here, so it was interesting. We wandered around, stuffing ourselves with images, and had to sit down with tea or coffee at regular intervals for some light relief. In all, I saw only one picture I would have bought and taken home, but it was good fun. We then repaired to Peter Jones and sat in the top-floor Restaurant looking out over the London landscape. Lovely. London is so exciting, and I hadn't been for over a year. It filled me with the urge to do more, to be more creative and to see more people, places and things. I sat and dozed in the train back, and then jumped on a bus at Brighton Station, which delivered me to my door.

Lucky me, I opened my front door to find a lovely raffia-tied box with some gorgeous home made muffins from the girls downstairs - and an impromptu invitation to supper.
I whizzed indoors, made sausages and mash for my two students, and took myself down with a bottle of Prosecco. We had a lovely lamb concoction, with smashed potatoes (roasted) and leeks, followed by strawberries with mint and pecan ice-cream. Yummy. And lots of alcohol and lots of laughs. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I haven't been to London since I lived in Aylesbury at the beginning of the 90's. I can imagine it being a very inspiring place though.

CJ xx

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi Crystal - well you do have constant demands on your time don't you? I think it's the fact that I hadn't been for ages that made it so inspiring - everything looked so different. M xx

Donna said...

Really sounds like you're starting to Enjoy yourself!! I'm So glad!! Have a great weekend sweetie!hughugs

aims said...

Girl - you know what I'm going to say!

Not only the sea - but London too - poo!

You are so lucky - you know that don't you??

Dusty Spider said...

Glad you had a lovely day. We moved out of London over thirty years ago and now, when we go back, it looks fantastic! Glad I don't live there any more though. What were you inspired to do? Do you paint? Hugs, Flick x

Mean Mom said...

When I was young, we used to travel to London, by train, every year, on our way to stay with relatives in Kent. I always felt a little thrill of excitement, when we passed over the river, and I still feel it when we travel there now. London feels like the centre of the universe, for me. I've never had that feeling when I've travelled abroad!

Loved the sound of that dinner.

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi Donna - yesterday was just lovely. And a change from my usual day-to-day life. Must do it more often! Wishing you a good weekend too. Hugs M xx

You're right as usual aims - I have all these wonderful places on my doorstep. Why don't you come on over and enjoy them too? M xx

Dear Flick - you know just what I meant. London looks so exciting when you don't have the daily grind! I have painted - will paint, but need the right mood to get on with it. Writing too! M :)

Hi mean mom - well I know just what you mean - crossing the River yesterday was exciting - it has such history and so many memories for me. It took me ages to get used to not living in London, and I still think of it as the centre of the Universe! M xx

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

PS. Mean Mom - yes that dinner was perfect. I felt very spoiled. :)

Working Mum said...

Found you via Family Affairs. Love your writing style and I'll be back to find out more if it's OK.

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi Working Mum, and welcome. Thanks for your visit and comments, please come on over whenever you can. Will be over to visit you too! Margot:)

Elizabethd said...

Oh Prosecco.........I love it.
sounds like you had a really good day out, and Peter Jones too!

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi elizabethd - yes, I'm quite new to Prosecco, but I do love it too.
And Peter Jones was like a warm soothing bath, it you know what I mean! M x

Rob Clack said...

Sounds great! Lamb, potatoes, leeks, Prosecco. Yum! What more could you ask? R

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi there, Rob, yes it was a great meal, and an unexpected treat - even better. M xx

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...
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family affairs said...

You are adventurous and have sooooo many friends....glad you enjoyed your day in London x

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi again Lulu, catching up on Good Friday, before I get into the walk followed by Hot Cross Buns! I did have a lovely day, and intend to repeat it sooooon...M xx
PS Hope you have a good Easter weekend - forget the Ex and enjoy the children, they go so soon too!