Mad world

It's been a long day..

Started with Zumba, a class attended by mostly over 60s. Not that that means it was any easier. The over 60s are an inspiration, and one of them is over 80.

Then I was on my way south to see the family before Christmas. I like travelling and I like being on trains. I was able to read, knit, and order some Christmas presents. The train wasn't crowded and it arrived early :-)

I had decided to walk from Oxford Circus to Trafalgar Square, to see the lights and the shops. There was a lot of spending going on, especially in Hamley's. There were some lovely toys in there, but who pays those inflated prices?

Travelling towards the Thames, things become a bit more gritty. This photo was taken outside St Martins in the Fields Church, which would be my church of choice if I lived here. They have a caring and inclusive approach (and also a fantastic cafe in the crypt and wonderful concerts). A rehearsal was going on and I sat and listened for a while. A man was sprawled out asleep on a pew. Nobody batted an eyelid. There was an opportunity to donate to the BBCRadio 4 appeal for the homeless. You can donate £5 by texting CARE to 70700.

I walked down to the Embankment and caught a river bus to London Bridge. In all my years of living and visiting London, I have never been on the River. It was wonderful. The Thames, after all, is where the city started. As we sailed, I listened to this. I had been reading on the train about how Roland Orzobal came to write it in the 1980s. It seemed an appropriate and beautiful song to sum up my day...