In another dream life I live in the big smoke. Which city? Well any of them to be honest, but at the moment it’s London. I wander around from theatre to cafe and from river to park, I write, I snap, I breathe.
In any city it takes time to adjust to the proximity of so many people, the hurrying, the intriguing number of choices and the offerrings of consumerism. But when you settle into the endless stimulation your heart rate goes up, the blood rushes a bit faster, the brain kicks into gear. You feel yourself quickening, sharpening and responding to the world in a braver way.
But the biggest charge for me, is the scale and significance of the architecture. I connect with it instantly. Steeples, towers and bridges catch my eye and it’s all up there where the trees usually are. I am looking up, I am elevated so I forget my feet. I am so rapt that I forget how far I am walking!
Isn’t this what makes a town into a city? The quality of the architecture, the designers, the typographers, the planners? And again it’s the conservationists who understand the importance of hearing the sounds and songs of our history through great buildings, streetscapes and gardens. Meticulously guarding heritage and encouraging experimentation from the very small to the royally grand.
And then we the people create the stories of the streets and villages within it. We add the heartbeat.
News Flash!! This photo of the Shard taken that day was a runner up in the Open House, AJ, Gallery of Photography Photo Competition, 2013
your beautiful photos, and words, their echoed poetry stays with me as well. xxoo
I totally enjoyed reading this and felt the passion it !
Beautiful photos and your musings are great to read. I don't think to live in a city in my dream life, but I always admire the scale of the new architecture in various cities, also London. I love visiting from time to time one of the big cities of the world, but for me Rotterdam is the place to be, my home city.
A beautiful and thoughtful post! I too love a bit of city buzz now and then. I think perhaps Stockholm is my favourite…but then again..
Somehow that last image – of the chimneys in the extraordinary light – reminds me of that scene in Mary Poppins with the chimney sweeps. So much truth and beauty here. Lucky you to be in London!!!
Hello Catherine
I can relate to all you say about cities and love your suggestion of we, the citizens, as being the heartbeat. Beautiful images.
Helen xx
Awesome post!
I think I love visiting cities for the history which includes the architecture…it envelopes me and I am instantly part of it wanting to see it from all angles and inside out…I have never been to London but hope to visit one day.
I grew up in Toronto and moved to Victoria, B.C and now live in the country but I am always smitten with the plethora of inspiration in the city. I would love to see London. Dublin is beautiful too. Toronto is the city of nieghbourhoods. Vancouver is a very pretty city with it's mountains and ocean. Victoria is fun with big city choices but still holds a small town feel. I'm comfortable with the vibe of the city…so much going on, so many beautiful things to look at.
What a contrast to your usual peace and tranquility of country views. Very striking. Philippa xx
I think they are amazing!..I so enjoyed them and you're right, I do feel blessed and thankful to the ones who share them with us!
Nila
Hotel and Resort Photography
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