A funny thing happened in London the past three days. First, it’s a three day weekend, a Bank Holiday. Secondly, England, which has been suffering through the coldest winter in fifty years, suddenly got Spring. Instantly. As in one day blizzard, the next day heat wave. I think as a result, three quarters of the population decamped for the sea or the countryside. Because London streets — both above ground and below — have been eerily empty. If the last three days were a movie, it would be called The Weekend the People Vanished from London. We’re fine with that. Emptier streets are all that much better for The Just Hanging Around Tour, which involves no more structured an itinerary than popping in and out of pubs, sitting in cafés and hopping on the Tube at the spur of the moment to go see nothing in particular. In that spirit, I don’t have much of a theme for this post. Just random things seen about London — over a few days when practically no one else seemed to be around.
For instance, did you know that when the Tube is empty, you can have a lot of fun taking silly panoramic shots to illustrate the concept of MIND THE GAP!
Also, when cars are half full, you can get all Garry Winogrand and take candid shots. If there were more people on the Tube today, I probably would have gotten hit for this.
What few people were in London seemed to have the same idea we did, get down to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
David Bowie was there!
But most people were hanging out in the courtyard and splashing in the fountain. I guess city kids have to find beaches where they can.
There was also this amazing modern kinetic sculpture with oranges. Just kidding. It’s a juice stand cleverly spanning the third floor Photography Gallery and the first floor Sculpture Gallery.
My feet looked just about this bad after tromping around the V&A all afternoon.
Another place we found people was Soho Square, which I’m renaming Soho Beach.
By the way, did you know Soho Square has a strange sort of Tudoresque Hobbit house in the middle of it?
Signs can be very cool in London. Like this one.
And how about this one?
But WTF is up with this one? It’s obviously a terrier. Does this mean no terrier poo? Or just no smelly terrier poo? Or don’t light terrier poo on fire? Or no poo that is radioactive? I may be overthinking ths.
Speaking of signs, these handmade signs are all over London. Indicating that not everyone is broken up about Maggie Thatcher’s departure.
The one thing we did book was this show — which is the one featuring the amazing puppetry.
It’s startlingly moving. I can’t remember the last time I cried when a life-sized horse puppet died.
Dining note: Eat at this place after the theater. It’s where all the Indian diplomats who were negotiating the end of the Raj used to eat. Then you can fulfill all your astrology needs next door.
It’s amazing how much you can cram into a day on the Just Hanging Around Tour.
Note: Of course I didn’t take that picture of the horse puppets. There is no photography in the theater. I stole it from the official site.
I am insanely jealous of you guys. How could you go to London without me! Seriously, glad to see you have had a great trip. The weather has been amazing there after such a brutal winter for them. Walking around London is by far the best way to see the real London. Enjoy the rest of your stay and have a few pints for me.
Definitely do not light terrier poo on fire. I made that mistake while making bio-char in the garden last fall. It is not a mistake I will make again.
Saw War Horse last April the same place you did. Was awesome! Our flat was just across the street from Soho Square.
Ahh, London, my home! I never tire of it whenever I seldom get back! Just read your article on Smitten site. Had to chuckle. Some certainly ring true, others not so much for me anyway. Definitely the eccentric one though. LOL.
Yes, re: the phone box graffiti — just what I’d expect from her most vocal opponents. Conservatives don’t deface public property but take care of it.