City Living

"The changing of the seasons, the cold slicing winds, the falling leaves, sunlight on green grass, snow on the land, London particular. Oh what it is, and where it is and why it is, no one knows, but to have said: 'I walked on Waterloo Bridge', 'I rendezvoused at Charing Cross,' 'Piccadilly Circus is my playground,' to say these things, to have lived these things, to have lived in the great city of London, centre of the world. To one day lean against the wind walking up the Bayswater Road (destination unknown), to see the leaves swirl and dance and spin on the pavement (sight unseeing), to write a casual letter home beginning: 'Last night, in Trafalgar Square...'
Sam Selvon, The Lonely Londoners

Last night, walking back home down to south of the river, I was again filled with awe of the city. All great cities have it, the ability to make you feel possibilities biting at your fingers. I have loved such moments in Paris, New York, Rome, Berlin.

In Winter, to turn up your collar and feel the wind coming in across the Thames, crossing a bridge, turning up at a bar to meet your girl, coffee to warm the hands and lips, frost on the pavement, breathing vapour... all these things, and more, keep you sane sometimes.