As One Must

…And I Wander Off
It must have been forces…that took me on them wild courses…

There can be no doubt, touch-down (the landing), is the refreshment to a new day. Awake for hours, but now in London, the drive past the Ark or the more familiar Fuller’s Brewery with its London Pride advertisement for their famous amber ale is a welcome landmark…The name is also that of a common enough flower (a weed to many) but one known to grow quickly amongst the ruins of the London Blitz. Apart from London Pride, another plant, a fireweed, Rosebay Willow Herb blossomed amongst the ruins in June.

Throughout the day Bon Iver’s lyrics from 00000 Million return to me…a reminder of an earlier visit when I learned of the singer/songwriter along the Rijselstraat, Ieper, Belgium. Soon we will be there too, a second refreshment, similar to the joy of sipping iced, cold lemonade after a successful hot day. Wild courses through the streets of London (and Ieper) in search…And I wander…

We fill our first half day with visits to familiar places…a war damaged sign from the Blitz off the curving Aldwych…and then on to the Cabinet War Rooms…familiar yes, but I seek the original entry door. My search is not so difficult, but many may not know that the original entry is not today’s main entrance to the popular attraction.

For day two – first to Soho to photograph a blitz-site largely not rebuilt and how I wonder how its managed to remain and probably unnoticed by many. Always look up…look down….search…the images and stories are there. Next along the Strand to a site (one office actually) that ran counter to Britain’s pre-Second World War concerns. The Link, established in 1937, was a British pro-Nazi organization that has slipped (fallen) from most people’s remembrance. This non-historical plaque site of London remains to this day and is a reminder that ,with military and home front history, one cannot pick and choose the memories to be told. It is conflict, nations at war, with all the cruelty, hurt, killing, quislings, horror, honour, glory, remembrance, and loss. I could go on but decidedly some of these words change in meaning and stature when told from previously un-encountered positions of historical learning and teaching.

Afterwards on to the 38 bus to Smith’s, an aged establishment of fine and classic umbrellas and canes in an attempt to refine a personal project…mind you without success…but featuring bountiful mirth as French is translated into English and reviewed in Canadian understanding. It’s wonderful. Without material joy but with a glowing heart on to Hatchards (as one must – it’s a bookstore) and to Fortnum and Masons for a fine tin of Florentines for Rosemary and her mother who left us a while back. The number of Florentines and white chocolate helmets, the latter from Ypres, were readily available to SMR upon request.

And so this was our first day and a half…the tone is set…And I wander off.

—-SNIP—-
15 August 2024

for 13-14 August