England Archives - Reflections of Place

London & A Souvenir for the Heart

“Oliver’s pillow was smoothed by gentle hands that night; and loveliness and virtue watched him as he slept.”‘Oliver Twist’- Charles Dickens

Half Moon Street & at the end of the road Curzon Street, Mayfair, London, England, UK
Photo: Alamy M1C597

Life sometimes offers a setting in time where the energy of a moment reveals the spirit of a place and that specific point in time becomes a souvenir of the heart.

5:30 AM … Of a morning, Wednesday-November 22nd:

27-41 Half Moon St – Mayfair, London, W1

In the stillness of the morning’s early hours a quietness exists in this little street. The weather is still mild enough to sleep with an open window. I love the crispness of London’s city air this time of year.

Lying in bed, I’m awakened by the sound of whistling outside. The notes echo off the Georgian buildings…the song, a tune…strong, upbeat, heartfelt, sweet. I realize it’s from the musical I attended a few nights ago.

~Consider Yourself- from ‘Oliver!’

The show number rings out from Piccadilly Street to the south, then travels up Half Moon Street moving closer to my window…jaunty. Notes mirrored. Echo answering echo.

~What•ever we’ve got we share!

I can hear his steps now, the sound… a strong and lively stride as heels hit the street – heel-and-toe striking the walkway. Rhythmic. His pace is in time.

~Con•sid •er Your•self One of the Fam•i•ly !

I stay in bed. It seems like a dream. I want to peek out the window. But no, I stay hidden. My imagination builds a scene as beautiful as a scene from the musical. I envision the shadows of his flowing movement as he meets each street lamp.

~Con•sid•er Your•self at Home!

Only a few minutes have elapsed since the first note called out. The whistler’s melody reverberates in this once bohemian street of London. Moving north on Half Moon Street his steps begin fading as he rounds the corner at Curzon Street. The whistler’s final notes are clear.

~Con•sid•er Your•self One of Us!

Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.
_{Story © 2020 Molly Cox}

*Oliver! Lionel Bart’s Musical-Based on the Charles Dickens story- ‘Oliver Twist’*
*1994 West End revival -A Cameron Mackintosh Production*
*1994-1998 – at the London Palladium*
*Photo © 2020 Molly Cox*

London’s Royal Parks In Their Fall Colors

3 of 8, St James Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park

“The parks be the lungs of London.”
– Charles Dickens

Late fall is a great time to visit London and it’s 8 Royal Parks are perfect for strolling. If you’re out for a hike or you’re searching for a peaceful ramble after a day of shopping and sightseeing, these 3 parks offer the tranquil space you crave.

From Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall to the Horse Guard enter St James Park.

St James Park with it’s beautiful flower gardens, weeping willows, fountain and fowl. Ducks, geese, swans and pelicans roam the grounds. Swans may approach you looking for a snack and if you’re timing is right you will witness the Horse Guard Parade. The Life Guard change takes place here at 11:00am daily and 10:00am on Sundays.

From St James Park, cross the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to enter The Green Park.

In Green Park you’ll treasure the beautiful walks wandering the paths. Find a bench and linger to relish the green space of grasslands and magnificent trees. Bring a picnic to savor a meal on the lawn. Don’t be surprised if you see two friends sharing a bench and a nip from a brown bag.

When your meal is complete roam the pathways to emerge at Hyde Park.

In Hyde Park enjoy watching locals feeding breadcrumbs to the pigeons and squirrels.

Hire a bike and bicycle Hyde Park or stroll the paths. Appreciate the lake view, hire a boat and row or pedal the lake at Serpentine Lake. Visit the many memorials and don’t forget to find the statue of Peter Pan. On a Sunday Morning meander to the north east corner and have a listen to the orators at Speaker’s Corner.

After spending time in these parks you’ll want to discover more of their history, and with a nod to Dickens you’ll agree “The parks be the lungs of London”.

For more on the history of the parks visit their official site

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/

Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.

Punting the River Cam Cambridge & Clematis

**“Rivers are roads that move & carry us whither we wish to go.” Blaise Pascal**

It was Weisspargel season in Deutschland, when we left Cologne yesterday. Arriving in Cambridge it is merely early spring. My friend and I seize the opportunity for a glide on the River Cam. We are here on business but this is pure pleasure. Our punter, a student at Cambridge brings us rolling past The Backs. He follows the path of the gravel ridge for a smooth ride. The flat bottomed boat glides over the river. The swans on the river are majestic, the English Gardens are filled with color and King’s College Chapel is immediately recognizable.

The banks are lush with gorgeous blooms. My friend asks me “what are those flowers?” I tell her “Clematis; I’m not sure how to pronounce it, my mother always said ‘kle-mat-is’ but recently she said she’d heard ‘kle-mAy-tus’.” Here our punter offers, “ahhh, the actual pronunciation is Klem-a-tus.” So, as we pass under the Bridge of Sighs, I agree with the dashing punter of Cambridge. ‘Klem-a-tus’.