My next to last night in London I had a brilliant idea. I know it was brilliant because I was still in England and brilliant is the adjective of choice for all situations better than good in that country.
I started off my penultimate evening in England at the English National Opera where I saw Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West. Who knew Puccini had done an opera situated in the Gold Rush in California? It did occur to me as fitting that I should have a little preview of my soon-to-be home while still in my much-loved London.
The opera was quite enjoyable, but I couldn't help sometimes snicker quietly at the Wild West conversations sung operatically! Anyway, it was fun and let me do a procrastinatory check of a bucket list item!
I considered a run to Amorimo, my gelateria of choice, but decided it was too out of the way. Too bad! But wait! There was another Amorino in Covent Garden and where was I but Covent Garden?! One last large cone with rose-shaped coconut and stracciatella gelato: Heaven!
Next to last night in London and tomorrow night I would spend in Ruislip at my going away party, so effectively, my last night in London. Maybe I should e—x—t—e—n—d that as much as possible….
Walk home. Yes, I walked from Covent Garden to Marylebone, almost 2 miles, as I had done many times. So much to see in London. Every sight to take in. Pictures to take to snap memories fixed! This London, my London, the one from which I wanted to inhale every possible breath London breathed out. Soak up every bit of her into my bones, so I would never, ever forget what a wonderful life I lead there.
Route: Charing Cross Rd (ENO), Garrick St (Amorino’s), Cranbourn St (Long Acre), Leicester Square, Coventry St, Piccadilly Circus, Regent St, Oxford St, St Christopher’s Place, Marylebone Ln, Marylebone High St, Paddington St, Baker St. Final destination: York St, location of my short-term let, in anticipation of leaving soon. I was hoping this last ramble from Covent Garden/Soho home would burn itself into my memory.
Up Marylebone High Street one last time. As I walked past The Marylebone pub, a business-suited fellow stepped out and said something like, “Are you from around here?” Puzzled, I explained that I was as of now, but soon wouldn’t be. What did he want? He was going to seduce me, he announced. Not likely, said I. Well, at least a glass of wine, so a glass of wine it was. A glass of wine, business card, a walk home, and that was it! The end of the shorter-than-me, somewhat funny, rather pushy, decent singer, structural engineer. Couldn’t help wonder if he’d had much luck with this tactic in the past! Too bad he wasn’t a tall, handsome, charming stranger! Might have been an entirely different ending….
What a charming post, making me smile from start to finish! I too wonder at his sucess rate, but you got to love a trier x
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