Thursday, July 17, 2025
London Baby!
'A newspaper man I know who was stationed in London during the war says that tourists go to England with preconceived notions, so they always find exactly what they are looking for. I told him I'd go looking for the England of English literature. And he said that it's there.'
On my fridge, there's a sticky note with 'London Baby' written in all caps by a orange highlighter. I stuck the initial note on my old fridge, in my old home about eight years ago. When I moved, I took it along with all my other belongings, and used a magnet to put it on my new fridge in my new home.
The square piece of yellow paper is important to me as it symbolizes my long held dream trip to Europe and especially to London. My love the the UK began early. As I a kid, I grew up with a mother who closely followed the Royal family. I also had the opportunity through music to play and sing for both the Queen and Prince Philip, and Prince Charles and Diana. No solos, just a part of large groups and choirs.
My father and two older brothers were also big fans of John Cleese. That meant old reruns of Monty Python movies and Faulty Towers were often on, from one of my brothers vast VHS collection. I wasn't a huge Monty Python fan as a kid, but enjoyed watching many of the British sit-coms that played, and continue to play on PBS. Most of the shows were long off the air, but those repeats of shows including: Are You Being Served, The Vicar of Dibley and Keeping Up Appearances were favorites.
In my twenties, I really started reading about European history, got into British Cinema, and loved to get high and watch repeats of Absolutely Fabulous. I think one of my favorite movies about Americans passion for London came from watching 1987's 84 Charing Cross Road. I'd never heard of the movie, but after learning about my dream trip, photographer Robert J. Guttke insisted I watch. I'm so glad he did.
The film, starring Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench, is the story of Helene, an American writer, (Bancroft) with a dream trip to London of her own. Before even stepping onto a plane, she begins her journey through books, and the help of London Book store manager Frank Doel. (Hopkins) What I loved most about the film was how similar Helene and I felt about London, and our shared passion to visit.
Although I've been all over the States, and most of Canada, I have yet to make the journey to Europe and London. Work and finances have created obstacles, but I've had a separate London bank account for years, and am hoping my dream trip will be happening within the next few years. I've often celebrated countries on FH, especially around July when Canada Day and the 4th of July take place. I've yet however, to specifically celebrate London.
Today, is London Day baby! Although United Kingdom doesn't have a single, designated national anniversary holiday, they do have celebratory events, including in 2022 when the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee and the 80th anniversary of VE Day which was celebrated this past May. Thanks to London based photographer Andrew Bowman, I've learned a lot about UK holidays and celebrations. Andrew makes the perfect visual tour guide, with his images from London's WNBR, to help get us in the a London state of mind!