Saturday, September 28, 2024

Re-Discovering London at My Own Pace

Re-Discovering London at My Own Pace


London eye at night
London eye at night 

Today was a perfect Saturday in London—sunny, warm, and productive. I finally got around to getting that much-needed haircut, opting for a short style that feels just right for me now. It’s funny how something so simple, like a fresh haircut, can boost your mood. Afterward, I took a stroll through North Road market, picking up some fresh fruits before heading home to meet a couple of potential buyers for some items I’d listed. By the end of the day, I’d made a couple of sales. It felt like a small win, closing the day with that satisfying sense of accomplishment.

My week, however, was full of little adventures. One of the highlights was taking an Uber boat ride from Putney to Barking Riverside. It was a day that couldn’t quite make up its mind—cloudy one moment, sunny the next—but the scenic ride made it all worthwhile. I’ve always loved the view of London from the water; it gives the city a whole new perspective, reminding me of how vast and dynamic it is.

Later in the week, I wandered over to Wapping, a small and quiet suburb that’s perfect for capturing the charm of old London.

https://www.greeneking.co.uk I took some photos of Chadwell Basin and made my way through familiar spots like London Bridge and the Embankment.https://www.shipandshovell.co.uk/ I stayed out late that evening to catch the London Eye illuminated at night—it’s such a striking scene, and no matter how many times I’ve seen it, it never loses its magic.

Last night, I decided to do something a little different and visited the Victoria and Albert Museum. https://www.vam.ac.uk/On Fridays, they have music and drinks in the main lobby, which creates such a lively, almost festive atmosphere. Although I wasn’t in the mood for a drink, I loved walking through the museum halls, taking in the beauty of the artworks and the energy of the evening.

I left the museum around 7:30 p.m., but instead of heading straight home, I took the bus to Hyde Park, and from there, I walked to Buckingham Palace. https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace There’s something about walking through London at night that’s magical. I just kept walking, soaking in the beauty of the city under the night sky. By the time I got home, it was nearly 11:30 p.m., which is strange for me—I’m still getting used to the idea of staying out late.

It’s one of the big changes that comes with retirement, I suppose. No more 10 p.m. curfews or early alarms at 4:45 a.m. I’m slowly adjusting to this new rhythm of life, one where time feels more fluid and free. It’s strange but wonderful, and I’m learning to embrace it—whether it’s a late-night walk through the city or an impromptu day of exploration.

All in all, this week was a mix of everyday moments and little adventures that reminded me of how much I love this city and how much I’m enjoying the extra time to take it all in.


Chadwell Basin
Chadwell Basin
Devil’s Tavern, The Prospect of Whitby
Devil’s Tavern, The prospect of Whitby
London Bridge at night
London Bridge at night.
The Shard, View from Chadwell Basin
The Shard
The Ship & Shovell pub
The Ship & Shovell Pub
Lovely buildings around Embankment
Architecture around Embankment
St.Paul Cathedral, London
St.Paul Cathedral, London
Regent Street, London
Regent Street, London
Greenwich, view from Uber boat
Greenwich, view from Uber boat
Famous Regent Street, London
Famous Regent Street, London
Victoria & Albert museum, courtyard
Victoria & Albert museum, courtyard
Buckingham Palace at night
Stunning  Buckingham Palace at night
Liberty Store, London
Liberty Store, London
Heddon Street Kitchen
Heddon Street Kitchen

Re-Discovering London at My Own Pace


London eye at night
London eye at night 

Today was a perfect Saturday in London—sunny, warm, and productive. I finally got around to getting that much-needed haircut, opting for a short style that feels just right for me now. It’s funny how something so simple, like a fresh haircut, can boost your mood. Afterward, I took a stroll through North Road market, picking up some fresh fruits before heading home to meet a couple of potential buyers for some items I’d listed. By the end of the day, I’d made a couple of sales. It felt like a small win, closing the day with that satisfying sense of accomplishment.

My week, however, was full of little adventures. One of the highlights was taking an Uber boat ride from Putney to Barking Riverside. It was a day that couldn’t quite make up its mind—cloudy one moment, sunny the next—but the scenic ride made it all worthwhile. I’ve always loved the view of London from the water; it gives the city a whole new perspective, reminding me of how vast and dynamic it is.

Later in the week, I wandered over to Wapping, a small and quiet suburb that’s perfect for capturing the charm of old London.

https://www.greeneking.co.uk I took some photos of Chadwell Basin and made my way through familiar spots like London Bridge and the Embankment.https://www.shipandshovell.co.uk/ I stayed out late that evening to catch the London Eye illuminated at night—it’s such a striking scene, and no matter how many times I’ve seen it, it never loses its magic.

Last night, I decided to do something a little different and visited the Victoria and Albert Museum. https://www.vam.ac.uk/On Fridays, they have music and drinks in the main lobby, which creates such a lively, almost festive atmosphere. Although I wasn’t in the mood for a drink, I loved walking through the museum halls, taking in the beauty of the artworks and the energy of the evening.

I left the museum around 7:30 p.m., but instead of heading straight home, I took the bus to Hyde Park, and from there, I walked to Buckingham Palace. https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace There’s something about walking through London at night that’s magical. I just kept walking, soaking in the beauty of the city under the night sky. By the time I got home, it was nearly 11:30 p.m., which is strange for me—I’m still getting used to the idea of staying out late.

It’s one of the big changes that comes with retirement, I suppose. No more 10 p.m. curfews or early alarms at 4:45 a.m. I’m slowly adjusting to this new rhythm of life, one where time feels more fluid and free. It’s strange but wonderful, and I’m learning to embrace it—whether it’s a late-night walk through the city or an impromptu day of exploration.

All in all, this week was a mix of everyday moments and little adventures that reminded me of how much I love this city and how much I’m enjoying the extra time to take it all in.


Chadwell Basin
Chadwell Basin
Devil’s Tavern, The Prospect of Whitby
Devil’s Tavern, The prospect of Whitby
London Bridge at night
London Bridge at night.
The Shard, View from Chadwell Basin
The Shard
The Ship & Shovell pub
The Ship & Shovell Pub
Lovely buildings around Embankment
Architecture around Embankment
St.Paul Cathedral, London
St.Paul Cathedral, London
Regent Street, London
Regent Street, London
Greenwich, view from Uber boat
Greenwich, view from Uber boat
Famous Regent Street, London
Famous Regent Street, London
Victoria & Albert museum, courtyard
Victoria & Albert museum, courtyard
Buckingham Palace at night
Stunning  Buckingham Palace at night
Liberty Store, London
Liberty Store, London
Heddon Street Kitchen
Heddon Street Kitchen

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