Back to reality

'The man who grows tired of London is a man who has grown tired of life'. So said Samuel Johnston back in the 18th century, and I'll echo that sentiment. It's an amazing city - full of life, constantly buzzing and teeming with busy people rushing everywhere. No-one stands still for long, unless you're a tourist.
Not much sign of a credit crunch in the affluent West End - the Coal Hole, my Strand local, was heaving with city types enjoying long pre-Christmas lunches and office nights out. Covent Garden was as busy as ever, and if shoppers weren't spending as much it wasn't apparent. As ever there were throngs of people in Theatre Land, and it's only much later into the night - long after the curtains have fallen and long after happy revellers have headed home to bed - when the other side of the city is revealed. Just off the bright lights of The Strand doorways and recesses are quickly filled with homeless people sleeping in cardboard boxes, the luckier ones with their own sleeping bags. London was freezing last week - and with so much affluence everywhere you turn, it's not a place where you'd want to be poor.

So it was cold, but it was bright and perfect weather for walks around all the usual tourist destinations - apart from the tour buses it's the best way to see and get to know the city - and we didn't have to rely on the Underground so much last week. Not that I've got any issues with public transport down there - to me the Tube is one of the wonders of the modern world.

Took in two shows during our trip - 'We Will Rock You', which for fans of Queen was probably everything you would want it to be, and 'Piaf', which was being staged just a minute's walk from our hotel. Having read great reviews of the show - and also great praise from Andrew Marr on his Sunday morning show a couple of weeks back - I'd planned to book tickets for 'Piaf' before we went down to London, but with everything else going on I hadn't got round to it. Indeed, even when we arrived, I was almost put off buying tickets by one learned critic (who was selling discounted theatre tickets from a booth in Covent Garden). "It's crap", he said. "Ain't even a proper musical!" Anyway I'm glad we didn't take his advice - the show was stunning, with Elena Roger's performance - she was on stage throughout the entire 90 minutes - spellbinding. 'Piaf' was as moving a stage show as you'll find anywhere, so if you get the chance - ignore the touts, go!

Much as the London trip was as enjoyable as ever, reality always intrudes and real life is never far away. My mum was taken back into hospital again while we were away - the Western this time - and it was straight to hospital when we got back to Edinburgh. Other than hospital visits (I even gave up my ticket for Easter Road on Saturday and missed the resurgent Hibs winning again), much of the remainder of the weekend has been taken up with tackling a massive email inbox - lots and lots of lovely Fairer Scotland Fund related items, naturally. London is quickly becoming a distant memory.

It's back to work tomorrow, with another deputation to prepare for and look forward (?) to on Thursday. Real life has returned with a vengeance - actually, it's never really been away.