Back in London

Hi Folks,

This is a very quick posting to let you know that I have arrived in London - albeit for one night.

Spent the morning sitting in a small Placa near the Hotel savouring the last coffee, fresh fruit salad and croissant. The weather was significantly cooler than it has been, the Basilica of Santa Maria de la Mar regularly reminded us of the passing time as its bells peeled every half hour that drew nearer to our time of departure. The city was waking - people scurrying on their way to work - odd to see this really - it sometimes feels like no one would ever work in Barcelona - guess they do. The ciuta de Barcelona garbage trucks cleaned up after the nights merriment - shop shutters rumbled open - no, NO more shopping! Pigeons (I like to refer to them by their more romantic spanish name - las palomas) hovered for scraps and finally we left the scene of so many wondrous moments and checked outof the Hotel Banys.

Barcelona Airport is a rather organised and peaceful place - transit went smoothly and the Iberia Air flight winged us back to London.
As I reflected on the last couple of weeks - I was once more amazed at the curious nature of time - its elasticity, its ability to render experience almost surreal - Barcelona almost vanished like an ethereal dream and yet the experience is palpable - I smell the aromas - La Boqueira, Tapas at the Xampanayet, smelly old drains of the Barri Gottic .... I hear the sounds - the church bells, the clatter of stilettos staggering on the cobbles at night, noisy bartering in the bars, the traffic on the Ramblas or the surprise drifting melodic strains of a busker playing his classical guitar ... I see the sights ... the magic, playful, genius of Gaudi, the incredible designs of Domenech Monataro, the curvaceous and fecund architecural shapes of the modernista, the reclammation of the waterfront, the dark alleys of Girona and its overpowering Cathedral, the pink and ochre shadows reflected in the Riu Onyar ... the old woman hanging her washing out before she settles on to her wrought iron balcony to view time pass by ......

Here I am back in London - did I really leave? it all seems so long ago - and yet a week ago I arrived - it was hot, it was noisy and it had been a whirlwind three days - today as we touched down the pilot said 'welcome to a London summer day -the temperature is 13' ... it's cold and grey. However, we did arrive at twilight and the setting sun spun its magic yet again - the sky over the Thames lit up ...yes , you know - another Turner sky to leave me gasping - the familiar shadows of the development along the south bank, the landmark of Battersea power station, the deep green of chestnuts, oaks, birches ... the roses, the chimney pots and the rolling green grass of Wandsworth Common - kids playing football and cricket, people walking... the buzz on Northcote Rd - and before you know it - a warm greeting back at Matt and Glenn's at Clapham Jnc.

Tonight, the Balti Bangladeshi take-away was a quite a good change from tapas - and ooh how I enjoyed that great cup of English Tea! I'm off to Sheffied tomorrow, then Manchester .. I'm looking forward to the North again - perhaps a walk in the Pennines or Dales, a watercolour, old friends - a Gormley or Barbara Hepworth sculpture? and of course a visit to the sacred Old Trafford.

It has been good having the company of Adele - she's back to Oz tomorrow - and I will once again be on the road alone - an experience I also rather enjoy.

Hope to be able to keep posting - this will depend on internet access.

Lxx