British Library
![Some trees on a damp winter day on Hampstead Heath](/images/derivatives/article/hampstead-heath.jpg)
My plane landed in the London darkness at 5:30am this morning. The 15 hour flight was extruciating. I took the train to Farringdon to give myself a walk through an old haunt to my hotel in Kings Cross. London has changed a lot since I knew it 30 years ago.
I waited for my hotel to open it’s doors at 8 and left my small suitcase with them. I had time to kill until I could check in at 2pm.
Why I make these difficulties for myself I do not know…
I walked up to Euston and had some breakfast in a Wetherspoons pub. It was full of silent gentlemen my age and older. A few older couples came in while I drank my bottomless coffee. Nobody spoke, I felt watched.
The caffeine with a little ibruprofen began to work and I readied myself with a third cup. I walked through Camden and up to Hampstead. I circled back through the rain and slippery mud of the Heath. Past the ponds I used to swim in and up to Parliament Hill. I sat for a while and watched the dog walkers and considered Karl Marx’s resting place over on the eastern hill of Highgate Cemetry.
![boom](/images/derivatives/article/camden-walk.png)
My legs were tiring and my backpack was feeling heavy. I picked up an electric bike and sped back over Hampstead and down to Camden Town. A short walk down the canal to the oddly creepy Coal Drop Yard with it’s tech company mavens and private security guards. I preferred it when it was the battlegrounds of the Borribles.
Kicking the mud off my tattered running shoes, I washed up in the British Library. Damp from the rain and puddles. Every table here is laden with laptops lighting up the punters faces. Seems a good place to sit for a bit.
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Zaida
Replied onHi Ruben,A very active day with so many memories packed in. Xxxx
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Ruben
Replied onIt was a pretty good day of walking. I always try to go a bit too hard when I have impending jet-lag. I did not feel as excited to tramp around London on this trip though, maybe I’ve worked that out of my system.
I loved visiting you and JB in Pocklington, now I will know where you are when we chat on the phone. Totnes is best though (Sorry JB). I wish I’d had a bit more energy, Joe’s party (and the flights) left me rooted 😵
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Ruben
Replied onYes, it does seem to be similar. I find it very hard to give up on the idea of a boat or a bicycle ride to somewhere far flung. I think all those ideas of intrepid travels are hard to let go of. They are ideas forged by your younger self so I suppose it’s a sign of maturity when you can move on… I’m not sure I believe that though.
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