Today I had to trot up to the British Library to buy a present from the shop there (which, incidentally, has a really great selection of books and gifts, if you're ever looking for something for a discerning book lover). Deciding to get a coffee after having accomplished my mission, I stopped into St Pancras Station, which is, in my opinion, one of London's great public spaces. There's something lovely and exciting about railway travel, and this just imbues the place...
Seeing people tinkering on the two pianos there also always makes me smile, especially when you get a total juxtaposition between the players on each one. Today, there was a professional busker on one piano, accompanied by a woman on a French horn... and they seemed largely unperturbed when a slightly strange bearded man came along and leaned on the piano, intermittently tinkling a few keys at his end. At the other piano there was a small child having a go, later replaced by the couple above. I've seen all sorts playing there and I love the variety of people it attracts.
When I eventually emerged from the station, I was faced with a passing shower, resulting in a rainbow over King's Cross Station (which, between you and me, I prefer to St Pancras, architecturally, but that's a subject for another post).
It was a crazy day for weather generally, with gusty winds and frequent changes from sun and blue skies to rain and dark clouds. It somewhat messed with my original plans for the day, which entailed a bicycle, but it didn't work out at all badly, ultimately.
Oh definitely a Reason to Love London! That could be a theme for a small photographic book - piano players at St. Pancras. Yes, train travel - I'm glad we do still have it. The rainbow over Kings Cross is fabulous, and has that small, fine puff of cloud. The last photo captures a very dramatic cloud. I wonder if it is two or two parts of one. You should definitely send both of them to the Cloud Appreciation Society for possible inclusion in the Photo Gallery!
ReplyDeleteI was enjoying a coffee beside John Betjeman's statue, which I thought you would have appreciated... And maybe I will send my photos to the Cloud Appreciation Society...
DeleteIt was a VERY crazy day for weather! I love the contrast between St Pancras and King's Cross, but I honestly cannot choose between them now that King's Cross has it ticket hall... Kx
ReplyDeleteIt is fair to say you can't choose between them - they really are very different styles so hard to compare. My boyfriend used to accuse me of being difficult because I've been more excited by King's Cross for a long time - he'd just never looked behind all the tat that had cluttered the forecourt for so long! I'm so happy they've sorted it out now - gives them much more equal footings for being appreciated.
DeleteLast night I happened to see King's Cross for the first time after dark since the front has been cleared, and it looked even better. It will be an amazing sight when all the surroundings are complete. K
DeleteLovely post!!! Ok, this is really random, but what time did you take the picture of the couple playing the piano? Because I think I saw them too? *commence the Twilight Zone theme*
ReplyDeleteHow odd is that :)
Chelsea from Mixed Mediums Theatre
Whoah, that would be weird. It was just before 2.30 on Saturday afternoon...
DeleteI got in from Scotland right around that time! How crazy is that!!!! SO crazy!
DeleteCx
No, no, I'm afraid that's just too much a crazy, random coincidence. I'm not sure my brain can handle it... But actually, really, London can be remarkably a remarkably small sometimes. Hope you enjoyed your trip to lovely Scotland x
DeleteOh, dear Lady, you just added another reason to the pile of reasons to love my London, this beautiful city (and England in general) is on my wish list for traveling someday. Happy week.
ReplyDeleteIt is my mission in life to remind people of how full of lovely things and love London is, even when it gives off a bad impression sometimes and people only see the jostling crowds... I hope you make it here one day - it is indeed a wonderful city.
DeleteSo very true - there is something magical, romantic, poetic and thrilling about rail travel. Despite Canada's immense vastness, we no longer use rail travel as a primary means of transportation between areas. Some cities, like Calgary, have inner city rail systems that run on cable tracks (or have underground subways), but our national rail system is very, very expensive (I've never been on it before for that reason) and only runs between select areas. As such, one of my favourite elements of life in Europe when we lived in Ireland (2004-2006) was getting to avail of the great, and relatively affordable national railway system there. Canada could take a major cue from the UK, Ireland and much of the rest of Europe on that front!
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
*PS* Happy baking if you give that yummy vintage Valentine's Day coconut cake a spin.
I'm sad for you that you don't have a better railway system. I can't actually drive, having lived in the city my whole life (though it is an aim of mine to learn this year!) and I rely on train travel to explore this beautiful country of mine. It can be painfully expensive sometimes though - it's eased if you book in advance but that doesn't necessarily allow for spontaneous adventures! But nothing in the world of travel beats sitting back in your seat and relaxing and watching the world go by outside your window from a train...
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