Sorry for deserting the blog yet again for a long time. After mum had returned to Japan, I had a few knitting projects to go through as well as getting my fitness level back for the coming hockey season and, therefore, my plate had been laden rather heavily. However, I kept my journal during the absence and I would like to share it instead of writing a bland new blog post.
10th October
We were off to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. Had known about this museum for ages but never had an opportunity or excuse to visit. So very glad that mum were willing to get onboard!
Saw a large sculpture at the Piazza. How it was held up, had no idea…
At the entrance of the museum, we saw a large Tokyo subway map printed on the wall and mum was very excited. ‘Take a photo of me & the map!’, she begged…
Loads of old rolling stocks were on display.
When I moved to London in the early 90s, smoking on the public transport was still permitted, the double-deckers were free to hop on & off from the rear, and the train doors were not automatic but self-service slamming doors which let passengers hang on in daring & nonchalant style while the train glided into the station. Hooray to all the relics of pre- health & safety madness! While in & out of the trains & buses, I reminisced about London which no longer existed…
Then off to their gift shop as mum needed an inspiration for gift ideas for her friends in Japan. After much pacing back and fro between the aisles, she settled on 12 double-decker fridge magnets. Together with them, she also bought a tea towel and two trays.
For lunch, we decided upon tartine at one of the restaurants at the Piazza. The tartine was rather tough to cut but it tasted good…
After lunch, we shopped at COS on Long Acre and mum bought a zipped knit blouson which suited her well…
Wow! The transport museum looks great! I can’t imagine what London in the 90s must be like. Sounds like a different world to me!
Yes, London in the early 90s was worlds apart from the present city. There was less money but tons of character. Bric-a-bracs were everywhere and the taste was dedinitely less European. Very British & original. Somewhere like Camden, for example, is nothing but a name nowadays. Very sad indeed…💧