Favourite thing today: stepping into a church on my walk from Paddington Station to the British Library and hearing music. A pianist and violinist were practicing at the front of the church for a concert that was happening later that day. I was all alone. The church was large but not too large. And their music filled it in a melancholy, moving way that was very beautiful.
And today I almost did something from the five-favourite things list. Here's the description of the favourite thing from Richard T: "Crossing bridges, especially over rivers in major cities. Always makes my heart take a little leap, no matter how many times I have done it. Crossing the Seine, Hudson, Thames, or even the St. Laurent connects me in a tranquil way to a hectic/crazy city. Brings out the beauty, accentuates the architecture, and is a link to a by-gone age, where the river was the raison-d'etre of why the city was established there. It also connects to a wider theme of connections, moving from one place in life to another, and bringing different people together. My favourite bridges are the Hungerford, between Charing Cross and Waterloo Stations, and the Millennium Bridge between the Tate Modern and St. Paul's. The views in all directions from both bridges are very special indeed. Plus, there are no cars!"
Last night I looked at a map and realized that, given time constraints, I wouldn't be able to visit either of these bridges (or the Tate, the second item on Richard T's list). But then the day was so tantalizing when I took my lunch break--there was SUN!, there were cherry blossoms!--and I decided to see how I could get. I got as far as Blackfriar's Bridge (and crossed it, just to cross a bridge--I love this category of favourite thing-- and will never see bridges in quite the same way again). Blackfriars's Bridge was beautiful; there's a wide wide sidewalk and an alarming low low railing and, alas, cars. Now I need to return to London sometime soon to experience those pedestrian bridges.
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