28 February 2024

Londinium

American gas guzzling car on Bishop's Road, Fulham... actually 
this tiny car is an electric vehicle. 

You may or may not have gathered that we are currently down in London. Because we drove down this time, I was able to bring the old laptop - the one with the broken "s" key. It makes typing anything problematic. I wish the broken key was an "x" or a "z". That would make written communication a lot easier.

Ian is away in The Colonies just now, visiting a little known fishing village called San Francisco. Then he will be in The City of York's little brother settlement - New York City for two nights before heading home to London and his lovely girlfriend Sarah and baby son Zachary.

Historical milestone by Fulham Road

Zach is over four months' old now. With his big brown eyes, he is absorbing so much every day and he thrashes about, reaching out for things and studying faces. He gobbles down baby rice and will soon get to taste some other soft or pureed baby foods.

Today, by bus, the four of us went on a little shopping expedition to Sloane Square where we visited the John Lewis department store. We had lunch in the sixth floor restaurant which has marvellous views over that part of affluent west London.

And now I am afraid that I am getting increasingly fed up with finding ways of addressing the "s" key issue.  Fish and chips for tea. We'll be driving home tomorrow.

Memorial obelisk by the A3 on Putney Heath. It is dedicated to the invention
of a fire safety construction method developed by one David Hartley in the
1770's just over a century after The Great Fire of London. His system 
proved to be unworkable, costly and over-hyped.

36 comments:

  1. How DID you manage all the "s's" in this post? The street above looks lovely and sunny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe he copies a typed s from somewhere and just pastes it into words.

      Delete
    2. Yes. Also the red squiggle helps. Write "zoundz" for example and the spellcheck suggests "sounds" which you then press to insert.

      Delete
  2. Glad you're getting to visit Zachary and his mom. Did you get a chance to have a long walk? With photos?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only the walking I did on Tuesday when I visited Sandy Denny's grave.

      Delete
  3. Have a safe drive back!
    The area where you are is a part of London I am not familliar with. Having said that, I am actually not familiar with any part of London anymore - my last proper visit (and not just walking from one train station to the other) was 17 years ago.
    Unworkable, costly and over-hyped? Sounds familiar!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unworkable, costly and over-hyped - sounds like a description of Donald Trump.

      Delete
  4. What can I say about the car? It is so ugly. I am sure wee Zach isn't. You didn't feel out of place in the company of the Sloane Rangers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When they see a marauding Yorkshireman in their midst they tend to hide indoors.

      Delete
  5. Drop in for a cuppa on your way home! ( Or at least wave from J 10 )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am back home and I did wave when passing Harpenden! Best to close your curtains after having a shower Frances!

      Delete
  6. The last time I was in London (in 2006) I don't recall any street that didn't have yellow lines with so few cars parked on it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In Fulham and Hammersmith, family visitors or friends of residents have to pay £14.50 to park from 9am to 5pm. How much do they charge in Eagleton?

      Delete
    2. Gosh. No wonder the streets are fairly empty.

      Delete
  7. I am surprised that you ventured into such a posh part of the fair metropolis. I hope you behaved yourself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did behave properly but I was unzipped.

      Delete
  8. You will have to begin supporting Fulham while in London. Could make things very awkward if Hull are promoted. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't want us to be promoted this season. I don't think the team is ready for that.

      Delete
  9. Interesting about the fire-safety system. Now I'm wondering how it worked and why it proved infeasible! I'll have to read up on that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apparently, right next to the monument there was once a building known as The Fire House - used to demonstrate David Hartley's ideas in practice.

      Delete
  10. No pictures of Zach? How dare you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Say Hi to London for me, I miss it, and promise to be back. March of 2020 was a weird time to visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes that was weird! Britain's first national COVID lockdown began on March 23rd 2020.

      Delete
  12. Have you taken your laptop to a fix-it shop? They may be able to fix that s-key right up.
    Ian is certainly the world traveler! It's so good that you can help Sarah while getting to know that sweet little boy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you think I am made of money? Also, it is clear that you possess more common sense than I do!

      Delete
  13. Welcome to Londinium. Sorry the weather is not pleased to see you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why were those men in white coats pushing you into the back of that unmarked van and why were you screaming?

      Delete
  14. 5eem5 you were able to work 5ome magic handling the mi55ing 5. (Ju5t giving you and alternative here...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha-ha! I hadn't thought of that solution! Nice one Monica.

      Delete
  15. Glad you were able to have another visit with Zach. I won't see our Adam for months and months now but at least my son texts photos of his kids several times a week...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't know they had called your new grandson Adam. I like that name.

      Delete
  16. My knowledge of the affluent parts of west London is rusty and was never up to much, but I do remember: "They're a ravenous horde and they all get on board at Sloane Square and South Kensington Stations." Obviously not applicable to your crew after your sixth-floor lunch.

    I feel for you and your "s" problem. For some months I endured various work-arounds for a non-functioning "r" because I was nursing a grudge against the computer repair shop I dealt with and the price they quoted for a whole new keyboard which was apparently the only solution. It was only after I got the keyboard replaced for a more modest price in Shanghai that I realised how much it had been getting me down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At last! Someone who really understands the frustrations caused by just one non-functioning key. Fortunately, I rarely type much on the old laptop. Thanks for calling by Marcellous.

      Delete
  17. I suspect Ian's visit over here to the rich-land has to do with one or more of his books. Publicity tour, perhaps? May have to watch my telly, if I can find it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Various things - including a pre-planned visit to an almond farm in The Central Valley - but yes, all business-related.

      Delete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits