I’m a central London tourist hanging out before I meet Brian.
There’s Nelson’s column,
surrounded by a king and army leaders (aka known as donkeys in the First World War — the saying is ‘Lions led by donkeys’ as a jokey attack on our leaders, not much change there then ), his pet lion and …
a new addition on the plinth for the latest commissioned art I don’t fancy Nelson’s chances with her, good job he’s on a stick.
There’s also a statue of one of our Roman colonialists from around 2000 years ago. This ‘country’ having been colonised by all and sundry for a thousand years before the Normans finally took over in 1066
I said DON’T feed the pigeons
Interestingly we also ‘celebrate’ the British colonialism of India in the square with a statue of the British military leader who crushed the Sepoys in 1857 which led to the British Raj.
As with donkey leaders I’m not responsible for current or past leaders nor supportive of their irresponsible behaviours.
Here’s one guy who helped me from over forty years ago
I go with the Marx brothers view that I wouldn’t join a club that would have me as a member.
Maybe I have a slightly different approach and do join lots of things —- Boys Brigade, Sunday School, Scouts, Youth Club, Air Cadets (ATC), Jesus freak in my teens.
But I don’t necessarily stick with one thing or hang around
I’m from the U.K. where I’ve lived most of my life, travelled a bit and now settled(?) in India. I tell people I’ve had five careers having facilitated lots of things in all the sectors.
I’ll discuss politics, religion, Spirituality and philosophy with our guests who think I’m Buddhist. I like what it represents but even Gautam wouldn’t be inclined to join a club.
I live on the Limen, a view that was often discussed with my MPhil supervisor.
…
The Pagoda is in a great location by the river Thames
I knowingly failed twice yesterday, on the word quiz wordle. First to guess the word and second to pronounce and therefore understand the word properly — once it was revealed.
It was Liven
Pronounced Ly-ven or Lie-ven but I couldn’t get past pronouncing it as Li-ven.
This not necessarily about the vagaries of the English language but is maybe evidence of a deteriorating brain.
It’s sometimes feels as if it’s full of cobwebs or little stomping men.
…
So I’ve stopped cycling and I’m distracting myself, observing the Thames river.
Could it be …
Age deterioration or almost twenty years living in Indian English
On this trip I’ve visited places I used to live.
Now I’m also visiting family, here my sister Claire and brother Jason, who live between Sheffield and Rotherham in South Yorkshire
They live next door to each other! Really?
She’s got out the family photos.
Oh no!
Brothers in law Richard and Mark Family group Sisters Janet and Claire Andy Claire Stephen With my brothers and sisters maybe 40 years ago LizTricia Stephen
It’s also been an opportunity to revisit my Sunday School Chapel, second home and school in Sheffield.
Reflections
I first tasted honey at Sunday School and was taken aback. It was amazing. Why had I never had this before? I was maybe age eight and it was probably too exotic and costly for my family.
Compare and contrast.
It’s useful to return to my home city and country. I’m initially shocked by the price differences with India.
I expect the U.K. to be a little better organised but it disappoints.
My good friend Vinay saw a similar sign while studying in Oxford. He joked about signs in advance of planned roadworks when most countries will no have signs when they’re actually doing the road works.
London is not the best city for cyclists, but they’re trying hard with extensive signposted cycle routes.
I’ll write again about sharing information which I consider to be very important.
This was my response to the message posted in our local Mysore community….
I’d love it, but I just can’t. To me .. It reflects different dimensions, feelings or moods. MAnjula my wife who sadly died seven years ago would reveal all
These layers.
Starting from the left Her smile, shining like the sun would infect everyone she met. The middle is her action, being there always helpful and determined. The third her calmness in whatever situation. The style reflects her embracing the tradional and the modern. Wrapping it all up would be her attention to being present and attentive.
I can’t take it as I’ve just moved and already have too much art
The full message …. posted to our local WhatsApp group in Mysore.
Dear Art Lovers,
This is not an easy message for me to write.
There is a piece of art that has been a meaningful part of my journey for a long time. It has quietly shared my space, witnessed many chapters of my life, and carried a presence that words often fail to describe.
However, life has brought me to a point where I can no longer hold on to it. While letting it go is difficult, I feel that this piece deserves to continue its journey with someone who truly connects with it and appreciates it from the heart.
I don’t want to place a price tag on this artwork. Some things cannot be measured by a fixed number. Instead, I would love to hear from those who feel genuinely drawn to it.
If this piece speaks to you, I invite you to send me a personal message sharing:
• Why you feel connected to this artwork.
• What story, feeling, or memory it awakens within you.
• And what amount you would be comfortable offering for it.
Over the next few days, I will read each message with gratitude and care. My intention is not simply to find a buyer, but to find the right home for this piece—someone who will cherish it as much as I have.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for honoring the journey of this artwork.
The three musketeers went into the city to negotiate for a new piece of art we’d seen the day before
Their mission was to get a good discount on the asking price
They were a great success🙂
The winning Musketeers are Kaveri with her two new friends: Naimishambha and Pragathi, lovely, confident girls.. daughters of Deepak who works with our friend Florian.
They’re seen here with Maïlis, Sowbhagya and Stephen
It’s got pride of place in our new lounge, highlighting Manjula with her pals Lucie and Ganesh
Me and MYCycle 