I was tasked at lunch today with the challenge of writing my Friday email on the topic of something that had changed. Having no better idea of my own, I thought I might aswell attempt to do just that. The fact is, though, so much remains the same. Sweetings has had the occasional lick of paint, I suspect, since my first visit in October 1987 when I had one of those life changing educational experiences - learning not to deal after a good lunch even if Tate & Lyle shares were 30% cheaper than I had paid for them the day before - but apart from that is pretty much as uncomfortable yet charming as it ever was. I told you about my visit to Hong Kong the other day. Nothing new there. I climbed up to the top of Mt. Davis in Pokfulam where we used to live and fine, I had to be wary of some folk who weren't there before, wielding air rifles and shooting each other with little white pellets, but from up there, looking down on the island, it seemed to me the essence of the place hasn't altered a jot. Hen doesn't change either. I was having a drink after work with some colleagues last night when my phone and Blackberry vibrated furiously together. Urgent message from Rugby. "Ring me. Some really really good news. And I have a favour to ask". The good news, it transpired was that she had come 3rd in a physics test - "3rd from the top Daddy, not the bottom" she added earnestly, if plaintively. My indulgence guaranteed by this crucial success story, I was then instructed to buy her the DVD of "Trading Places". Said DVD is winging its way there as I write -at least she has good taste.
So as I wandered back to the office, I was beginning to feel somewhat burdened by this task I had been set. That was until I drew level with Leadenhall Market, when the sound of a rock band blaring out hits from Fat Larry's Band together with the sight of St George's flags streaming from every window ledge left me cold. Too much to bear. I have been struggling anyway to cope with the closure of Luc's Brasserie. The butchers selling hare, partridge and phezzies have also pretty much disappeared. I used to love the City and Leadenhall Market in particular. I killed 20 nervous minutes walking around there before my first day at Barings in 1985. Now I think it's a complete dump.
St George flags are a pet hate of mine by the way ( along with Easter Eggs ). Expect to hear more on this subject in the run up to the World Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment