It's hard to know what to say about the events in London on Saturday night. Rev T, the Tubblet and I were in London that night at a Depeche Mode concert. It was brilliant! NME has a review and some footage if you'd like a look. Security was tight - bag and body searches - as expected. We were on our way home via London Bridge and guessed something was up when the tube driver said we wouldn't be stopping. We found out what actually happened from Google and a taxi driver's radio. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved and we're so thankful for those who helped.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
I've stomped along that bridge many times, spent hours of my life standing on LB station platform waiting for a train, had loads of laughs in those bars, wasted lunch breaks wandering around the market and popped into the Cathedral to pray.
Two quotes. One from Father JM that came via my friend, Rev A:
'Last night's attack was also upon the British Muslim population, who were, as it happened, breaking the day's fasting of Ramadan with family, friends and loved ones. The discipline of Ramadan is two-fold: first, fasting to make one aware of the needs of others; secondly, a requirement to show kindness toward strangers. The acts of the men at London Bridge could not be further from both the spirit of Islam and the particular emphasis of Ramadan, and is a gross betrayal of all Muslims. If you see a Muslim today, please show him or her kindness: they will be expecting to show the same to you.'
Two quotes. One from Father JM that came via my friend, Rev A:
'Last night's attack was also upon the British Muslim population, who were, as it happened, breaking the day's fasting of Ramadan with family, friends and loved ones. The discipline of Ramadan is two-fold: first, fasting to make one aware of the needs of others; secondly, a requirement to show kindness toward strangers. The acts of the men at London Bridge could not be further from both the spirit of Islam and the particular emphasis of Ramadan, and is a gross betrayal of all Muslims. If you see a Muslim today, please show him or her kindness: they will be expecting to show the same to you.'
And from Fred Rogers:
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world."
I thought that today of all days, I'd share my morning and evening walk to and from work. Because you really do have to keep calm and carry on.
Apart from a brief stint in the libraries of my home town and an office in Surrey, I've always worked in London. I love the way the old and new is cheek by jowl. Go down a side street can be like stepping back in time. The mixture of nationalities is wonderful. I work with people from Britain, Australia, America Spain, Poland and Russia. There is always something to see, do, new friends to make and old ones to chat too.
Anyway ... Let's go. Don't want to be late.
Turn right out of the station, walk up Ludgate, past St Paul's and then down Cheapside. Swinging into a coffee shop for a Very Important Latte. During lunch times, I try to go for a walk as well. It's easier to do on days where there is fair weather than days when it's grey rain.
Sometimes the days pass in an endless round of home, commute, work, commute, home and bed. Which takes it's toll.
Anyway, off the train, out of the station and onward ... Watch where you're going and look both ways ...
We're walking down Ludgate towards St Paul's, then crossing the road to Cheapside. Walking to the end, then saying goodbye at the Bank of England:
And we're here. Thank you for your company. Particularly today. I hope you enjoyed the walk and that you have a lovely day.
[ETA: The Fred Rogers quote inspired this wonderful post from MG over at Reflections from Me, You can make a difference. Please go and give it some love]
Thank you of sharing. I love London and am often up there taking photos. I, too, love the old with new. It is such a beautiful beautiful city. It's heartbreaking what has happened but we have to see the beauty and the love in the world #BigPinkLink
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. I agree - what's happened is heartbreaking but we need to look out for the beauty and love that's still here
DeleteGoodness London feels a scary place at the moment. I've loved your walk and a look at some famous streets, stay safe out there. #bigpinklink
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. It's no more scary than normal, but I've been working up here since the mid-90's and I try not to think about stuff. Otherwise you'd just do your own head in. Thank you for the good wishes :)
DeleteI LOVE this post, I live in South London and commute every day into London Bridge where our office is, just yards away from the attrocities of Saturday. The first thing I did on Saturday night was check in with all of my colleagues to make sure we were all safe, we pop to Borough Market at least once or twice a week either for lunch or post-work drinks. It was very strange and eerie being at work today but London is my home, as it yours. We are right to cherish everything about it X #mg
ReplyDeleteDid the same. Most of my colleagues live outside London and tend not to come up at the weekend, but I wanted to be sure. I love London and feel so lucky to live here. Thank you for the lovely comment
DeleteI love London, such a beautiful city. I was working there at the time of the 7/7 attacks and the amazing spirit of the people will stay with me forever x
ReplyDelete#GlobalBlogging
Thank you. :) Glad you've got such good memories of your time here.
DeleteA lovely walk.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Glad you enjoyed it
DeleteSomewhere I am still longing to visit is London so it was beautiful hearing your words and looking at your photographs. Last night here in Melbourne a terrorist, held a woman captive, killed a man and shot 3 police before being killed himself. It can feel like there is no end to these attacks. I too feel for all the muslims who want to live in peace and yet due to the terrorists innocent muslims suffer too. Hearing about London my heart was so sad, my grandmother and uncle survived through world war 2 in London, and shortly after my father was born, so London is very dear to me. I am praying for the world and focusing on the happiness and beauty in every day. I love what you wrote about the Helpers, I will tell this to my children xx #mg
ReplyDeleteYou should totally come! I'm so sorry to hear what happened in Melbourne. What's happening at the moment is so sad and I also feel so sorry for the majority of Muslims who just want to get on with their lives without being judged. Thank you so much for sharing stories of your family. It was lovely to read them :)
DeleteI just wanted to touch base and let you know that this post has stayed very strongly with me, I hope it is OK I have written a post and linked back to this post of yours? The Fred Rogers quote you shared really resonated with me. Hope you are well xx
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers for everyone who got injured or lost their lives in the terror attack in London. 'Look for the helpers' - I have read about it previously too and I am going to tell this to my son when he gets despaired with the world on growing up, he is still young to figure out the occurrences in the world. #mg
ReplyDeleteThank you. I love the Fred Rogers quote - and was so pleased to find out it was totally genuine.
DeleteHubby works in London and I just have to keep telling him to be careful and vigilant. Thank you for taking us on your walk to and from work. I really enjoyed it. :-) x
ReplyDelete#twinklytuesday
My pleasure. :) All the best to you and your husband. Even though you just want to get on with stuff, there are always little niggles in the back of your mind
DeleteWhat a lovely walk. I worked in London for 12 years and there's no saying I won't go back. It's a wonderful place that will just go on and on. I was commuting to work the day of the London bombings and even though it was dreadful, it was amazing how such a big city came together. Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting each week. I'm glad you enjoyed the walk
DeleteLove this post. The perfect response to all the craziness. So simple yet so brilliant
ReplyDeleteThank you. There's been so much noise at the moment. But we're not reeling, we're just getting on as best we can. And there aren't any no go areas. Unless you count Oxford Street in the run up to Christmas etc. I just wanted to show a little normality
DeleteThank you for taking us all on such a lovely walk. I have only been to London a couple of times but it really is an amazing city. What has happened in so awful but you are right, there are so many more kind loving people who are there to help one another than there are people who commit these horrendous acts xx #twinklyTuesday
ReplyDeleteThere are. And I'd sooner focus on them rather than the few awful ones. Thank you for the lovely comment
DeleteLike you London Bridge has been a prominent station in our lives and Borough Market is a home from home. A dear friend of my husband's runs a restaurant there, my daughter frequently performs at Southwark Cathedral and we meet friends there on a regular basis as it is a good halfway point between North & South. My husband spends a lot of time working and advising clients in the Middle East and is always saddened by the damage these acts do to a faith he has come to respect. The selfless acts of courage we have seen from that night are truly astounding. As Londoners we must continue and show defiance but it is tough sometimes. Some lovely thoughts and thanks for the photos of your walk. #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteI've got Muslim friends and I feel the same way as your husband. The small minority who do these things are not representative at all. Prabs over at Absolutlely Prabulous pointed out that these things make life hard for anyone who is brown as well. Such a shame :(
DeleteI absolutely love London-it's one of my favourite cities in the world! I have family there, and still get the same fluttery feeling in my stomach when I arrive in London to see them, as I did when I was a child-it's difficult to describe just how London makes me feel-awestruck mainly! The attacks on our beautiful cities are just devastating, and although London will always give me that same fluttery feeling, there will always be huge trepidation for me now. Thanks for showing us your walk-I really enjoyed the pictures!
ReplyDelete#bigpinklink
It's so sad. No one should be afraid of doing normal stuff. Makes me cross too! Glad you enjoyed the walk. I love London. I feel so lucky to live here :)
DeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful journey. I love anytime someone quotes Mr Rogers, especially in times like these where every day is filled with new stories of unexpected horrors. Stay calm and please be safe. #mg xo
ReplyDeleteI love Rogers quote. It kept coming up and I ended up Googling him. He sounds such an amazing guy. I was so pleased to find the quote was genuine . Thank you for commenting and your lovely words
DeleteIt shocked me to the core, my husband works in London he had not long waled the bridge. Lovely post and thanks for linking up to the #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteMe too. Things like this are always shocking, but more so when they're places you know. Sending hugs to you, the kids and your hubby
DeleteIt's so hard to know what to do after something like this, I travel into central London every day for work and it scares me how close I am to this kind of tragedy. I can't handle how cowardly these people were,it makes me sick. I'm glad you shared this post it's good to get people thinking about it thanks so much for sharing with #GlobalBlogging!
ReplyDeleteIt scares me too, but each time I do my usual things, it's my own small act of defiance. I will carry on, you will not beat me and won't give in to hate. I will continue to love others and see the best in them. Thank you for the lovely comment
DeleteLovely thoughts and words Mrs T. As a London born girl, I have also spent many times in these places and continue to do with my family. We need to do the 'keep on keeping on' - something that we have always done so well. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts with #tweensteensbeyond x
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment and for hosting each week
DeleteYes I did enjoy sharing your walk and enjoyed every word that you wrote as well. Lovely post on a difficult subject, thanks so much for joining us at #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was so hard, trying to work out what to say
DeleteLondon is one of my most favourite cities in the world, definitely in this country (after my home town of Bristol).
ReplyDeleteI love this post, I love the photos. London will never not be London, no matter what. Thanks for sharing with #GlobalBlogging
Thank you. I just wanted to show a little slice of normality after some of the other stuff I'd read this week :)
DeleteI love this, I've worked in London for years and it will forever be somewhere I go often. I love your pictures too, it's good to see London as it is again! Thanks for linking up to #dreamteam x
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment and for hosting each week :)
Delete