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It's time for a break. We're driving south and staying somewhere beautiful with no agenda for a week.
I've decided to switch off completely. No twitter, no facebook, no blog-reading. This is making Matt nervous - he's asked if I think I'll need to bring a friend. I think that's a sure enough sign that a switching off for a while is no bad thing!
Photo by Jonny2005
Twice this week I've found myself wandering along the Southbank. On both occasions I was on my way somewhere, but something about the atmosphere prompted me to take time out to dawdle.
I think the Southbank is my favourite place in London to just be. There's an easy inclusiveness to the mix of people and activities, and something about being beside the river, taking in the views of London old and new. The Southbank is the only place I know of that Londoners get close to promenading. I feel relaxed there; happy to just let it all soak in.
Last night, as I mingled amongst the Royal Festival Hall opening activity - watching TV reporters do their job and people interacting with the Appearing Rooms water sculpture - I wished I had my digital recorder on me. I wanted to record the meandering flow of sounds, to see if just hearing them later could evoke the feeling and atmosphere. I tried to get innocuously close to people, wanting to catch bits of conversation.
Then today I spot this on Londonist. In 2002, someone else had the same desire to capture the mood through snippets of chatter. Only they acted on it.
Perhaps the Southbank has this effect on lots of people? If so, I wonder where else in the world people get this kind of feeling? It would be nice to know of such places, just in case I find myself in the vicinity.