To London- the largest metropolis in Western Europe

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

A few minutes walk from home gets me to our local station. There, I can get a fast direct train into central London in a little over an hour.

I hope to be doing this soon when Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World Exhibition opens on October 9th ’25. At the National Portrait Gallery in St Martin’s Place. ( Just round the corner from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

Mr Beaton was a renowned British war photographer and designer.

I will be able to see over two hundred exhibits, including sketches, costumes, personal items, letters, and photographs of the likes of Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe. Plus, artists like Francis Bacon and Salvadore Dali whom highlight Beaton’s influence on fashion and design.

Excited at the prospect? Oh yes!

And a few words from Emily Bronte

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

‘Friendly’

Having wrapped up today’s DP in just a   word, I now have space to put those of another.

A grey Wagtail


Riches I hold in light esteem,
   And Love I laugh to scorn;
And lust of fame was but a dream,
   That vanished with the morn:

And if I pray, the only prayer
   That moves my lips for me
Is, “Leave the heart that now I bear,
   And give me liberty!”

Yes, as my swift days near their goal:
   ’Tis all that I implore;
In life and death a chainless soul,
   With courage to endure.

The Old Stoic by Emily Bronte 1818~1848

Celebrating published authors/WP buddies

What book are you reading right now?

A few of my WP buddies are published authors  Tia ( TJ Mueller ) and Georgi Kisyov have wonderful children’s books out, which I will tell you more about over the next day or two..

But to what I’m reading now ( also a WP buddy)

Marcus Goldworthy Books

http://www.true-steps.com

You can find it on Amazon.

Review…Verified Purchase

‘ I am loving this book…and when I have written this well-deserved review, I shall get straight back to it. Aesthetically, you will like this a lot. The book is the size of a hard back size but with a wonderfully smooth cover. The paper, text, and print are perfect. Why am I telling you this? Because on the odd occasion I have bought a book like this the paper was horrible and the text tiny, generally mean little books. So this was a really nice surprise. The author writes so naturally without superfluous dialogue spoiling a story you just want to keep reading. Billed as a ‘ Medieval, Murder, Mystery’. I couldn’t have put it better myself. This would make a great Christmas present. The recipient will be very happy’.

If any of you lovely peeps would like me to feature your work/creativity, leave some info in the comments box

Planting seeds

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

It wouldn’t be my first rodeo-upping sticks and moving somewhere, home or abroad, to start afresh.

Having two, one or no dogs sharing my life, I’ve done it countless times. It’s liberating, scary, and truly exciting.

Getting to know the natives can take a while. It’s easy to forget for a moment they are eyeing you. Seeing where you fit into their picture. I usually give it about a year to not feel like the new kid on the block.

If money were no object/limitless, I’d like to live in central London, adjacent to Hyde Park.

Other thoughts took me to the edge of an English market town, where I could open my front door and walk to the shops one way or a beach the other.

Most of us are familiar with the saying,’ The Comfort Zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there’

And it’s true. But for now, I’ll stay exactly where I am in a little comfort zone, which has alluded me for the longest time. I have plenty of previous experiences  stored up to reflect on if I wish..and never forgetting I always keep an empty lot if I have new seeds to plant.

Paws for thought

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

Hi. As some of you regular peeps who drop into my blog ( many thanks) will  know, I live in PatchLand.

It’s a small, peaceful, and happy place where we both get to chill after a life of ups and downs (rollercoaster edition).

We broadly have a routine, and it suits us – but the one bit I occasionally ( not ‘always’, as suggested in today’s DP) try to delay for a moment is when Himself stands over me, paws a device from my hand, looks me sternly in the eye and suggest I get up, because it’s time to go out.

I did as I was told this morning, got us both kitted out for a very wet walk, and then he stands on the doorstep reluctant to go any further.

We got out eventually. It was mild with just a hint of a breeze, and despite the rain, the birds were happy enough whizzing around, chattering amongst themselves and one doing a solo piece. It was lovely.

And now we are home and had breakfast  the rain has stopped completely and it’s brightening up. Hopefully, our coats will dry out before we venture out next in a few hours’ time, when it will no doubt cloud over and chuck it down! Ho hum. Happy days.

Arise, Sir Bob

Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?

For a few years in the early 1990’s I lived just off the King’s Road, in Chelsea, London.

I never got to chat with Sir Bob Geldof, but I’d see him regularly sitting outside a cafe with his coffee and a newspaper. I’d wave, say good morning, he always smiled and responded. Love him!

It strikes me as being morally repulsive and intellectually absurd that people die of want in a world of surplus’

Bob Geldof (1951-)

Irish singer-songwriter,political activist, and prominent humanitarian.

Please, be seated

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

A sofa. From a company called SofaSofa. ( Yes, there is a story behind this, but it can wait)

Once again, WP, as my response to today’s  DP is so short and sweet you have given me the luxury of space to write in the words of another. I thank you.

This poem c .1800 is billed as Anonymous.

The Common and the Goose

The law locks up the man or woman

Who steals the goose from off the common

But leaves the greater felon loose

Who steals the common from the goose.

Vodcasts and W.H.Davies

What podcasts are you listening to?

There are two Vodcasts I enjoy: Full disclosure with James O’ Brien and Happy Place with Fearne Cotton.

As today’s DP has been short and sweet, I will add this if I may..

The Rain

I hear leaves drinking rain;

I hear rich leaves on top

Giving the poor beaneath

Drop after drop;

‘ Ti’s a sweet noise to hear

These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,

After this Rain shall stop

A wondrous Light will fill

Each dark, round drop;

I hope the Sun shines bright;

‘Twill be a lovely sight.

W.H.Davies 1871~1940

AI overview

W.H. Davies’s poem “The Rain” is a two-stanza poem that uses the imagery of rain on leaves to comment on socioeconomic inequality, personifying the “rich” leaves on top that get the most water and the “poor” leaves below that only receive a drop at a time. The poem expresses hope for future equality, envisioning a time after the rain when the sun will shine brightly on all the drops equally.