London

I journeyed to London yesterday for a meeting mask face to mask face, my first human business connect in a year. It was like my first day back at school, nervous , apprehensive wondering if I was going to get through. For the first time in a long time I was able to read the body language and I didn’t like what I saw. Mankind was back,no more digital distortion, no more Zoom with a view, dial in or call back. It was ugly just like I remembered. Old norm was trying to get back in , the dinosaur was in the room.

The traffic was intense only because three lanes had become one, cyclists abounded like dangerous weapons and a handful of tourists looked lost. The buildings looked like they had been created over thousands of years, now idle standing there empty with no further use. The birds sung a chorus and for the first time seemed happy. I met my friend after a long time and we sat in the outside at a table by a heater. It was like a Dr Livingstone moment of discovery, discovering someone again who I thought I’d lost. We sat near Sloane Square celebrating with others over coffee that we had survived.

It was a sunny day and because I had learned to walk 5 miles a day during lockdown I decided to walk the three Miles to my meeting. The red buses empty like moving relics, the shopfronts still, the offices shut. It was walking through Eaton Square again that I could smell the money, that familiar empty, lonely smell that much needed ingredient, that oil of the wheel. It was here that I heard the birds. St Michael’s Church was closed but the advertising board told me that they were live streaming at 7pm , streaming what across the Jordon river ? This new language that we speak this new found way of communicating. My phone vibrated along the way as texts hit me and messaged. What’s app sent more messages and e mails pinged. I did not speak to a soul but learned so much on my walk from the various and endless links to my new digital discourse.

I reached Victoria and circled the walls of the Palace Garden, winding my way to its open vista. I noticed the very high walls, cameras everywhere and the presence of armed Police. I thought of Meghan and how she was not at home there. Those walls were to keep her out along with the rest of us. The soldiers with busby looked shorter but looked magnificent sentry perfect still outside boxes. The Union Jack flew over the Palace and I wondered for how long more would it fly in this new world where isolation, Brexit and devolution was the new norm. I crossed the open plaza and a man on a bike tried to take my shoulder bag, a random attempt to steal from me. I became aware again that anything can happen. More and more bikes swished by me for a moment it was like being back in 1980 Peking.

The beauty of St James’ Park hit me and as I wandered into Pall Mall I reached my destination. My meeting began and it all felt very strange. Opinions, views and decisions heard it could have been done on Zoom and I longed again to do so. I left and now tired hailed a black cab with side winding automatic door. The cockney driver reminded me I was in London , the streets empty the journey short but enough time to receive his economic report on what was really happening in the City of my youth. I offered him a tip and he said ‘ ok Guv just tap your card, it’s all on there ‘ I exited at Brompton Oratory, popped in to light a few candles. The Church was full and Easter had begun. The City will resurrect though it will take time and BC ( before Covid ) and AD ( after Digital ) will mark a new timeline in history.

London built by the Romans , Christ crucified by the Romans , they were responsible for much I thought as I drove away out of town and away from the dead zone towards a new life. I had graduated like all of us, school finished and a new world awaiting. London never to be the same again.