We've just come back from London, where we went with Big Grandson with the express purpose of riding around on various modes of London transport. We took the train down there on Tuesday (bus, long-distance train, underground, overground, bus - to get to Daughter 2's house) and then spent two days on trains, buses and tubes. This is not normally my idea of very heaven; indeed, it's more like very hell for someone who doesn't like London or travelling in vehicles, has no interest in trains or buses and is rather motion sick. However, it was very nice being with Big Grandson and seeing his pleasure. He really loves, and is very knowledgeable about, transport.
Luckily Mr L is more interested than I am.
Not a beautiful sight, though improved by the back of our little chap's head.
Also not postcard-worthy.
London is unfeasibly enormous. We went to lots of places that I'd never heard of: Northwick Park, Stonebridge Park, Abbey Wood, Eastcote...
I imagine I'll never be there again!
The one place I did find interesting in was Uxbridge, where we walked down a little street and found a small park on land that had been given as a graveyard by Henry, Earl of Darby, Lord of Stanly and Strange Lord of Man and the Isles in 1576; and decommissioned, if that's the word, in 1855. Even at that later date, I imagine that it was an idyllic village spot for the dead to lie in peace. Now it's surrounded on three sides by roaring traffic, though there are daffodils and the odd bench. Grandson enjoyed bus spotting through the fence.
Look at all the gravestones piled against the wall,
like this one for little Elizabeth Powell, who died in 1757 aged (I think) 30 months, doubtless breaking her parents' hearts.
And then we came home again on the bus, train, tube, train and bus with Daughter 2 and Littlest Granddaughter. Four straight days travelling. It was worth it but we won't be doing that again in a hurry! However, Grandson had a lovely time, and that was the point.
What we won't do for our grandchildren! (and enjoy) I do love trains although buses aren't my thing. Motion sickness + fumes. It's sad to think of all the gravestones piled against the wall and remembering that those people were loved and mourned by their families and friends.
ReplyDeleteYour grandson will never forget the time you spent with him doing what he most wanted. Those times don't come again.
ReplyDeleteI had my longest teaching practice at de Lucy School in Abbey Wood. It was a long way from home and not an especially lovely area, but context is all and having grandson enjoying it was the happiest way to see it I’m sure.
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