Love this Andy. As a Londoner, well not born and bred but of 30+ years standing, you’ve nailed the essence of the city I love, or am addicted to? Either way it’s home…Where’s home for you?
Ruth. Goodness. That is incredible coming from a local Londoner to say. I truly do love (and am still perplexed moment by moment by) London whenever I get the privilege to come and live for any time. I have a post early on explaining my odd little life these days, but when unpacked… Hawaii is home. As for now, home is wherever I and my little backpack land. Currently, we are roaming around the Alsace region, in absolute wonder, of course! Thank you so much for reading, and commenting your insights. Truly appreciate knowing what resonates… it helps me grow, and connect community. All these that matter much!
Thank you, Ruth! It is definitely not what I planned my life looking like at this stage… I am quite the homebody introvert by nature … but it is indeed an adventure that has changed me on a deep level. And on we go 🫶🏻💛🏃♀️
Seriously, great piece. I’ve lived in London for 27 years (I am originally from the North West of England). I have not always loved living here, at times I have actively disliked it but London and I have made our peace… and nearly 30 years after moving here I think I love it. ❤️
I LOVE this insight, Rebecca. Yours is an experience many a Londoner I know have gone through (full circle)… London is definitely a daft cow ;) Thank you for sharing!
Very glad to find another soul touched by love for London. :)
It does seem to me that London is under-appreciated all too often. There are many more “exciting” cities- this is true. But there’s something of the old things in the air. To me it seems a city fully alive in her history- not just living with the past as a pretty painting on a wall.
As someone who has spent 20 years writing about London for my job, I think this is a lovely encapsulation of the city. Thank you. But I will not stand to see “mushy peas” and “disappointment” in the same sentence. They are the food of the gods, and they are what I would request as a condemned man awaiting the noose.
London, to me (a Londoner born & bred, albeit part of one of SE London’s now-dwindling diaspora communities) is like an endless series of a variation on Stolpersteine, in that you are constantly stumbling over the unexpected: from the sublime to the ridiculous. Sometimes those discoveries share with “true” Stolpersteine the dreadful weight of tragedy; &/or the weight of learning a story that was ended too abruptly - the Postman’s Park memorials, for example (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postman%27s_Park#Memorial_to_Heroic_Self-Sacrifice).
It is always genuinely delightful to hear (read [of]?) someone falling in love with London.
Wind smelling of wet leaves, old pubs that feel like your grandpa's study, tikka masala in Whitechapel at 1am... Evocative details of a wonderful city. The photograph of the vintage lamp is arresting!
When I tell you I ACHED to be able to take that lamp home with me that day!!!! I adored it! It screamed London to me, Caroline! Thanks for reading… and sharing. 🫶🏻
All I’ll say is that Hugh Grant was my next door neighbour and aged 11 I recited pages of Jane Eyre at his parents Christmas drinks. It was mildly entertaining. You write brilliantly Andy ❤️
NOOOO, Hannah! Girl! You were living. my dream at 11! I still think I have a crush on him — the endearing (hot) grump he has embraced. What an amazing childhood, thank you for sharing, and reading!
Loved this Andy. You have captured London so beautifully. In my early 20s I left my sleepy Somerset village where I grew up, moved to London and have been here ever since. Never thought I would stay this long or raise two children here but there is so much I love about London…including pottering around Greenwich market and delicious curries in Brick Lane. Looking forward to reading your take on other places. I’ve got some substack catching up to do 😃 x
Tess, wow. Thank you. I am so glad this piece resonated with you and many other Londers out there who have shared similar. it is really why I started this little series… there is so much negative going on, with only the not perfect parts of places being highlighted… I wanted somehow to wrap it altogether… just like with humans. Cities, and we, are flawed, but so deeply unique, beautiful, and worthy of love. Anyways. Thank you for reading, and sharing. That brought tears to my eyes waking up to your message this morning. It is meaningful.
I enjoyed everything about this piece. I have some hidden away love letters to London as well and this really made me nostalgic. Beautiful imagery. Plus you really nailed it!!
Love this Andy. As a Londoner, well not born and bred but of 30+ years standing, you’ve nailed the essence of the city I love, or am addicted to? Either way it’s home…Where’s home for you?
Ruth. Goodness. That is incredible coming from a local Londoner to say. I truly do love (and am still perplexed moment by moment by) London whenever I get the privilege to come and live for any time. I have a post early on explaining my odd little life these days, but when unpacked… Hawaii is home. As for now, home is wherever I and my little backpack land. Currently, we are roaming around the Alsace region, in absolute wonder, of course! Thank you so much for reading, and commenting your insights. Truly appreciate knowing what resonates… it helps me grow, and connect community. All these that matter much!
What an adventure you are on! So life and mind expanding to travel and live as you are. Good on you :-)
Thank you, Ruth! It is definitely not what I planned my life looking like at this stage… I am quite the homebody introvert by nature … but it is indeed an adventure that has changed me on a deep level. And on we go 🫶🏻💛🏃♀️
What’s wrong with mushy peas? 🤣
Seriously, great piece. I’ve lived in London for 27 years (I am originally from the North West of England). I have not always loved living here, at times I have actively disliked it but London and I have made our peace… and nearly 30 years after moving here I think I love it. ❤️
I LOVE this insight, Rebecca. Yours is an experience many a Londoner I know have gone through (full circle)… London is definitely a daft cow ;) Thank you for sharing!
Kindred. Right back at ya! 🫶
Full circle… it’s exactly that, bit like my life really. I can be a bit of a ‘daft cow’ myself sometimes 🤣
Facts! Love you already, kindred!
Very glad to find another soul touched by love for London. :)
It does seem to me that London is under-appreciated all too often. There are many more “exciting” cities- this is true. But there’s something of the old things in the air. To me it seems a city fully alive in her history- not just living with the past as a pretty painting on a wall.
As someone who has spent 20 years writing about London for my job, I think this is a lovely encapsulation of the city. Thank you. But I will not stand to see “mushy peas” and “disappointment” in the same sentence. They are the food of the gods, and they are what I would request as a condemned man awaiting the noose.
Aha! Agree to disagree on that one, my friend, But I do love that commitment — to the end! 😂
London, to me (a Londoner born & bred, albeit part of one of SE London’s now-dwindling diaspora communities) is like an endless series of a variation on Stolpersteine, in that you are constantly stumbling over the unexpected: from the sublime to the ridiculous. Sometimes those discoveries share with “true” Stolpersteine the dreadful weight of tragedy; &/or the weight of learning a story that was ended too abruptly - the Postman’s Park memorials, for example (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postman%27s_Park#Memorial_to_Heroic_Self-Sacrifice).
It is always genuinely delightful to hear (read [of]?) someone falling in love with London.
Wind smelling of wet leaves, old pubs that feel like your grandpa's study, tikka masala in Whitechapel at 1am... Evocative details of a wonderful city. The photograph of the vintage lamp is arresting!
When I tell you I ACHED to be able to take that lamp home with me that day!!!! I adored it! It screamed London to me, Caroline! Thanks for reading… and sharing. 🫶🏻
I love this! A perfect portrayal of a perfect city. ♥️
She´s so complex… grateful to hear you agree! Thanks for reading, kindred!
this is so well written!! i actually feel like i’m back in london
she’s a tough love, but worth the while
Really enjoyed reading this! London man. That bitch has layers - even if she likes to pretend she doesn’t. 😂
GURL! YAS! Exactly!
All I’ll say is that Hugh Grant was my next door neighbour and aged 11 I recited pages of Jane Eyre at his parents Christmas drinks. It was mildly entertaining. You write brilliantly Andy ❤️
NOOOO, Hannah! Girl! You were living. my dream at 11! I still think I have a crush on him — the endearing (hot) grump he has embraced. What an amazing childhood, thank you for sharing, and reading!
This is wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing. I will share with my family.
I am so happy to hear you approve! Londoners are the ones who would know, for sure! Thank you Delia!
Brilliantly written! City of my heart ♥️ too.
she´s so special…. hard to describe… and I think she likes it that way! ;)
Loved this Andy. You have captured London so beautifully. In my early 20s I left my sleepy Somerset village where I grew up, moved to London and have been here ever since. Never thought I would stay this long or raise two children here but there is so much I love about London…including pottering around Greenwich market and delicious curries in Brick Lane. Looking forward to reading your take on other places. I’ve got some substack catching up to do 😃 x
Tess, wow. Thank you. I am so glad this piece resonated with you and many other Londers out there who have shared similar. it is really why I started this little series… there is so much negative going on, with only the not perfect parts of places being highlighted… I wanted somehow to wrap it altogether… just like with humans. Cities, and we, are flawed, but so deeply unique, beautiful, and worthy of love. Anyways. Thank you for reading, and sharing. That brought tears to my eyes waking up to your message this morning. It is meaningful.
London is always open. Begrudgingly at times but it's a state of mind.
I enjoyed everything about this piece. I have some hidden away love letters to London as well and this really made me nostalgic. Beautiful imagery. Plus you really nailed it!!
Well, my dear, London loves you right back! (Now either walk faster or get out of the way, we have places to be....)
THIS! YES!!!!!! nailed it!