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SWIMMING DOGS, FLYING CHICKENS & MORE

July 22, 2015 by Bonnie

Last week was amazing. In addition to my Amsterdam, Jim and I spent time with Jay and Mike, long time pals. We went to the National Theatre, for a bite before and drinks after. The play, “The Motherfucker with the Hat” was disappointing. None of us liked it, yet it got great reviews.

I lunched with new friend, Elizabeth Day, a talented writer for the Observer (part of the Guardian) and novelist. (Get her latest book, “Paradise City”).   We went to a lovely French bistro in Kensington, a neighborhood I love, but haven’t spent much time in this visit. As it turns out, the restaurant was just around the corner from the flat Jim and I nearly got scammed on!  I had to walk down the street the scammer said the flat was on.  The scammer had good taste!

When Elizabeth went to the loo, I struck up a conversation with two very proper English looking gentlemen. I’d be eavesdropping a bit – (it’s my job as a writer) and heard them discussing politics, the cutbacks and books. One of the two mentioned Richard Yates and “Revolutionary Road” and I had to butt in. I rarely engage strangers in the U.S. When I do, it’s usually to give somebody a hard time because they’re watching Fox Newz or something. But on this trip, I’ve been talking to everyone! I’m so glad I did because we got into a wonderful conversation about books. The man who mentioned Yates owned a bookstore and the other had worked in the shop. The second man had become a collector of first editions and apparently has quite a collection. He proceeded to whip out a signed copy of David Lodge’s “Therapy.” Lodge is one of my, theirs and Elizabeth’s favorite authors. Elizabeth discovered she and the first man both work at Radio Times! They never met before and, of course, know all the same people.

Later the same day we headed off for a weekend in the English countryside with dear friends, Nicky and Noel.  Jim and I are lucky to have friends whom we feel close to despite the physical distance.  They are, in large part ,of what’s helped create our love of London over all these years. They help make it feel like home.  Nicky and Noel have a beautiful old house in a quaint, low-key and charming village.   (Hugh Laurie’s a neighbor, but his house is hidden high stone wall and as of yet, we received no invitation to visit).

When we returned from an outing in the nearby and wonderful small village of Olney, Nicky pulled out paint swatches so Jim and I could weigh in on the color for the dining room. Up until that second, Kukla and Tootsie had been under our watchful eyes on the lead because Nicky and Noel have a hen, a rooster and six new chicks. We each thought the other was holding onto the leashes. In a split second, Kukla and Tootsie bolted from the dining room, through the porch and out into the yard after the chickens. Just as quickly, I pursued the dogs.

I had no idea my reflexes were so keen at my ripe age!

I was a second behind Kukla who already made it into the bushes where one or more of the chicks ran to take refuge. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of white and then a blur as Tootsie took off after the hen. Of course, Tootsie went for a large bird. The larger the animal, the more she wants to attack it.   (Later the same day she tried to go after a horse. Jim says she has “something’s wrong with her” and we should be sympathetic).

Jim was on my heels. He went after Kukla while I took off after Tootsie. Tootsie is always like lightening but I’ve never seen her like this! Her paws barely touched the ground! I’m SCHRYING (Yiddish for screaming) loud enough to be heard in Rome. She’s six pounds and NEVER gains an ounce despite eating as if every meal is her last. But she burns so much energy because she’s what I call, the Beast of the Western Wild.   She flew through the air and was breath away from catching the hen. The hen suddenly flew into the air. Tootsie follows, leaping over a hedge. SPLASH. Tootsie’s is in the mucky pond, swimming through the water lilies to get to shore. I reached in and plucked her out. She was soaked in muddy water, which she transferred to my pale blue linen shirt.

Our little Esther Williams was fine after a very long soak in the tub.

I was TERRIFIED that Kukla had gotten hold of a chick.  There was a lot of tussling in the bushes.  I would’ve been devastated. It took awhile but all the ones showed themselves again.  But for the rest of the weekend, the dogs stayed virtually attached to us by their leashes.  No way was I going through that again.

A final thought.  I keep complaining about the skyline of NYC and London.  But unlike New Yorkers, Londoners have come up with the BEST names for these abominations.   Here’s a partial list.

The Gherkin;  the Shard”,  the Walkie-Talkie and the Club Sandwich.  What I wouldn’t do to meet the person who coined last two.  They are beyond brilliant.  If you look at my picture from Nicky’s rooftop, you might see a slice of the Shard.

THERE ARE TWO SHORT VIDEOS embedded between the pictures, one after a wedding shot, the other toward the end of the pictures.  Check them out.

Breakfast at the cafe on the canal by our flat
Breakfast at the cafe on the canal by our flat
This is pretty amazing…all these flowers at a Memorial for the INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE!!!  P.S.  This picture was taken at night.
This is pretty amazing…all these flowers at a Memorial for the INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE!!! P.S. This picture was taken at night.
Looking at Big Ben and Parliament from South London, just after sundown. Fortunately there was only one crane in the picture.  NYC, London, LA…cranes, cranes and more bloody cranes.
Looking at Big Ben and Parliament from South London, just after sundown. Fortunately there was only one crane in the picture. NYC, London, LA…cranes, cranes and more bloody cranes.
Outside the National Theatre.  Check out all the theatre in one location.  The South Bank has REALLY changed.
Outside the National Theatre to see “Mother Fucker with the Hat” with Jay and Mike (four of us gave it thumbs down). Check out all the theatre in one location. The South Bank has REALLY changed.
Looking back on London from the south side of town.  The building on right is the Somerset House, one of our favorite museums and cultural centers.  The building's from the 16th century and has a long, interesting history which you can look up, if you're interested!!
Looking back on London from the south side of town. The building on right is the Somerset House, one of our favorite museums and cultural centers. The building’s from the 16th century and has a long, interesting history which you can look up, if you’re interested!!
Leighton House
Leighton House, one of the “ten secret gems” in London

 

Another view of ceiling.
Ceiling
Inside the Leighton House Museum, before they told me pictures weren't allowed.  Leighton's a celebrated English painter who bought this house and transformed it after a trip to Northern Africa.  EVERYTHING you see, minus area rugs, are tiles he sent back to England from North Africa.  Sadly the pictures, don't do it justice.  It was astonishing.  The colors and the patterns made from a gazillion tiles from little bitty ones, to what 4x4" tiles. It was like being in a  Moroccan road again. Nothing else in London looks like this even today.  And certainly a North African motif was not a trend in the 1700s.  He was a brilliant artist.  The staircase and the upstairs are lined with his drawings and paintings.
Inside the Leighton House Museum, before they told me pictures weren’t allowed. Leighton’s a celebrated English painter who bought this house and transformed it after a trip to Northern Africa. EVERYTHING you see, minus area rugs, are tiles he sent back to England from North Africa. Sadly the pictures, don’t do it justice. It was astonishing. The colors and the patterns made from a gazillion tiles from little bitty ones, to what 4×4″ tiles. It was like being in a Moroccan road again. Nothing else in London looks like this even today. And certainly a North African motif was not a trend in the 1700s. He was a brilliant artist. The staircase and the upstairs are lined with his drawings and paintings.
Looking south from Nicky's beautiful roof garden in Kentish Town (London)
Looking south from Nicky’s beautiful roof garden in Kentish Town (London)
The grounds of the park with Duke's house in background
The grounds of the park with Duke’s house in background
Square in the charming town of Olney on our visit with Nicky and Noel.
Square in the charming town of Olney on our visit with Nicky and Noel.
Jim and I finally had our cream tea!
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One of three weddings that we passed Saturday morning

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Jim consults the heavens while reading The Guardian
Jim in the garden in Nicky & Noel’s country house considering what to do about the Middle East
Before another lovely meal with Nicky and Noel in the country.
Before another lovely meal with Nicky and Noel in the country.
Brian gives us his most evil eye
Brian gives us his most evil eye
The kids
The kids
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Duke of York’s home. Not much, but it’s home

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Pavilion built for Duke in 1705 so he and pals have a place to hang out after the hunt and have tea.
Pavilion built for Duke in 1705 so he and pals have a place to hang out after the hunt and have tea. Why don’t our friends give gifts like this?
Inside the hunting party cottage
Inside the hunting party cottage
I love that they want through a graveyard after the wedding.  All three weddings we saw took place in gorgeous country churches.
I love that they want through a graveyard after the wedding. All three weddings we saw took place in gorgeous country churches.
Our first, and last, selfie
Our first, and last, selfie
Kukla looks at swans, while Tootise looks for me.
Kukla looks at swans, while Tootise looks for me.
A person could get used to this!
A person could get used to this!
Grounds are spectacular! Being a Duke has its pluses.
Wrest Park
Wrest Park grounds at the Duke’s pad

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