London, the Venerable City

I love London, venerable yet ever evolving. I miss the quiet old Quaker Penn Club, where I loved staying before it fell victim to COVID. But there are always new places to see and quirky things to discover.

Conway Hall, home of the Ethical Society now hosts lectures and musical evenings.

Those who don’t feel like a boat ride to Camden Market can always visit the floating puppet theatre.

Along Regents Canal near Little Venice, you can lunch on a boat while it rocks gently on the water. One small disadvantage: the nearest washroom is in Paddington Station.

After enjoying evensong at St Martin-in-the-Fields, I noticed a crane close to Nelson’s column. For the sake of the views, rather than Nelson himself, I hope Trafalgar Square is not about to be subsumed by tall buildings.

On loan from a gallery in Naples, Caravaggio’s final painting, The Martyrdom of St Ursula, is on display at the National Gallery until July 21, 2024

What a lovely idea: a conversation with Oscar Wilde

The wall enclosing St Barts churches and hospital features a memorial to Scottish nationalist hero William Wallace. The small wall bears the scars of a bomb that hit Smithfield during WWII.

Near Barts Hospital, ancient buildings warm their venerable bones in the afternoon sun.

The 900 year old Barts Hospital is being revamped, but the old rule still applies to those sitting in its gardens.

Smithfield Market during WWII, after two bomb hits. Like London itself, this place is indomitable.

Dating from the 12th Century, Smithfield Market is repaired, refurbished, and still going strong.

Paddington Station

Polite scheme (above) and elevator apology (below). So London.