A Trip to Piccadilly Circus.
Piccadilly Circus.
Bobby… “We are going to a circus!”
Bertie… “Wow… All that colour, lights, fun, clowns. You would make a good clown Bobby. You’re good at falling over…”
Bobby… “Thank you. I’ve been called a clown many times. Usually derogatory. Anyway, not that sort of circus. We are going to Piccadilly Circus. They turned the lights out. Here is how they looked at Christmas.
Christmas Lights!
Snowdrops. The Harbingers of Spring.
Snowdrops.
THE SONG OF THE SNOWDROP FAIRY
Deep, sleeps the Winter,
Cold, wet and grey;
Surely all the world is dead;
Spring is far away.
Wait! the world shall waken;
It is not dead, for lo,
The Fair Maids of February
Stand in the snow! (more…)
Continental Railway Journeys: Paris
And so to Paris…
As we boarded the Eurostar, I could see that Bobby was deep in thought. Did he wish Diddley was there? He had promised to take her to Paris, but never did. Was he nervous about the adventure? So excited, he had been rendered speechless? No! He was thinking about 1954. (more…)
Tribute to Diddley.
Diddley.
Dear Friends.
This is a week for Bobby to explain.
Last week in Lighting a Candle for Diddley, I told you that here at Mindfully Bertie we understood that there could be many readers now who never knew who she was. Equally there are many who will be happy to remember with a smile. (more…)
Blog for Betty Boop.
Betty Boop and Bobby.
Bertie… “WHAT! You did WHAT! How MUCH? What’s she doing here?
You have always said that no one could replace Diddley. No one could love you as she did, and then shove you in the madhouse the next moment. No one else could be Beryl the Peril to your Dennis the Menace. You and her were a match made in heaven and hell. And all within five minutes.”
Bobby… ” now now Bertie, you don’t…” (more…)
A Tale of Two Cities: St David’s and London.
A Tale of Two Cities.
Over just two days, Bobby and I spent cultural time in Two Cities. The smallest in Britain. St David’s in Wales. The next day the largest. London. Population over 8 million, compared with St David’s at 1,600. The link might have been cathedrals. The definition of “city” requiring a cathedral. London has many. St David’s the glorious one.
St David’s Cathedral
A Day at the London Transport Museum.
The London Transport Museum.
Bertie… “A whole day at a museum! How boring is that!”
Bobby… “Now, now Bertie. This is a special museum. Wonderful for children, bear’s and old chaps reliving their youth.”
So, I was shoved unceremoniously into that red rucksack for atmospheric Acton. And what a surprise was waiting for me. Brilliant! A bear bonanza. The story is mostly mine, but I have allowed Bobby to wallow in a little nostalgia here and there. (more…)
Adventures and Railway Journeys.
Continental Railway Journeys with Bertie
London to Paris (nearly).
A year ago this week, Bobby and I faced a New Year on our own again. The previous months of funeral to Christmas a blur of activity. Now we could prevaricate, feel miserable, close the door for a while. Which is fine for some. Bereavement is as unknown quantity. Bobby decided on action. Started to think that beyond heartbreak is unplanned for freedom. The chance to carry on life doing things he could not have done otherwise. One being touring Europe by train. To break the ice, he booked Eurostar to Paris the following May. Continental Railway Journeys, here we come! (more…)
Thinkings of Old Bears.
Old Bears.
The mist hung low over South Holmwood village. I didn’t want to go out in the damp. Not good for my mohair. Bobby wanted to go to football in Sutton and I thought “You go, I’ll stay here cosy and warm. I can listen to Kate Rusby again!” Old Bears Syndrome? (more…)