Of Paupers and Princes

I stepped out this morning into sheets of rain and trudged to the Tube under Guy's large penguin-handled golf umbrella, through the ghastly, soaking, soggy drenching showers. We sat there in the tube train, all of us gently steaming away in the warm humidity, every now and then shaking off a dripping coat or sopping umbrella like drenched cats. When I came out from under Green Park, the sky was already clearing but it was still cool. In the shadow of one of the pillars of The Ritz Hotel, I saw a miserable ragged heap. It turned out to be a homeless girl, all curled up with her large dog in her lap, both trying to keep warm together. I stopped to say hello - her name was Emma, and her dog's name was Kipper. He was gorgeous, all beagle and big eyes; sleepy but sociable. We chatted for a while, and I scraped out all the money from the bottom of my purse to give to her.

At work we were auctioning paintings for charity - paintings that had been done by staff, for staff. I nearly bought one, but at the last minute decided to save my money for my first piece of archery equipment - my very own recurve bow (which will not be cheap). But it was fun, nevertheless, seeing others bidding, winning or losing on the works - which were all lovely. I'm running my own after-hours auctions on eBay - selling off vintage Judge Dredd comics. Some of them make money, others don't.

This afternoon we prepared for a special Evening Reception at work. I imbibed three glasses of the most dangerous substance on Planet Earth - champagne. Yuck! But I did get to meet one of the most famous and formidable Auctioneers in the world. He was charming and interesting. It really has been a week of movie star magic for me at this place ... yes, I met a movie star too but he's a client of the company and discretion is advised. How cool, though!

Today I did something bad again unfortunately. I sent a text message about Guy to my sister - not a complimentary one - unfortunately I sent it to Guy by mistake instead. Now this is something I've done recently to someone else I rather love and respect, and I couldn't believe my own stupidity and crassness today, doing it all over again. Really, will I never learn!? I truly am my own worst enemy sometimes!

When I got home, hot and sweaty, dishevelled and exhausted, I sat down to watch Pollock - a movie about Jackson Pollock. Guy had watched it before and found it depressing and sad. Me - I was more disturbed and intrigued. As the movie came to an end, Guy walked in. He had forgiven me - amazingly - and bought me a kite.

Now, let me tell you, this gift has got to be one of the best I've ever been given. Here's why:

1. It was a complete surprise - there was no rhyme or reason for it's arrival - he bought it for me "just because".

2. It was given on a non-event day. No birthday, no anniversary, no "forgive and forget". He saw it and he thought I'd like it, so he bought it.

3. It's a kite. No-one has ever bought me a kite before. It's a creature of the outdoors and the air, like me. It has no purpose other than to entertain and bring me (and others) joy.

A kite. He bought me a kite. Truly, he is a Prince among Men, and I adore him more and more every day!


He looked at me tonight and said "I couldn't live without your prickliness, you know. It's one of the things that makes you Margo."

And as I sit and write this now, I'm thinking of Emma and Kipper. I do hope they had a good day, and that they found shelter tonight and food and a place to sleep. I hope I don't see them again tomorrow morning in the shadow of the Ritz, in the place where Princes sleep.

I hope that they're ok.

Beautiful London

By Guy

South Bank (a different perspective)

My favourite Statue in London

Piglet

Our car.

I'm looking for a saucepan ...

... down 't market in Brick Lane, like

Loskop! (rough translation: "Loose Head")

So that's what happens when someone feeds you
a whole bottle of red wine,
and gives you a UV light cokie pen to play with!

The Ray Gun Police

Sunday afternoon at The Elephant's Head, Camden
Three beers down ...

Humidity

Like a weighted blanket, the air sits hot and heavy over London; still and humid. As you enter the Underground the temperature rises another stifling ten degrees. There is no respite; only your air-conditioned office, closeted and dark down the rabbit warren of hallways in the hidden areas behind the grand façade that is Christie’s Auction House in St James’s, Mayfair.

I have finished my university course on Leonardo da Vinci, and it was a humbling but educational experience. I didn’t learn too much more about the man than I already knew (well, except – did you know that he was also a sculptor?) but I certainly learned that I have a lot to learn about learning. My tutor took me down a notch or two, from scores averaging in the 90 percentile right down to the fifties. And I cannot but help acknowledge, he might’ve been a bully, but he was right - my essays did not deserve high marks. I’ve begun to realise you can’t always rely on Style over Substance in an academic essay. At some point or another, you have to Make the Argument. You have to find the right insights, using only university-accepted material, and make a strategic or deductive leap that clearly substantiates your argument – whatever angle you might be coming from.

I have always suspected that I tend to slide superficially over the real issues, be it in marketing or art history, and this course confirmed the truth of that. I have a lot to learn, but I have also learned a lot.

It put me off my studies for a while; a little out of fear, a little out of resentment. But I have been distracted by other things too.

Making the Argument is easy when it comes to my new man. We seem to argue heatedly over everything, and it’s not always his fault. (Amazingly, I’ve discovered I’m wrong in a lot of ways :-D ) I like my space, I hate eating breakfast or dinner, I like to be alone, I don’t always like to party. And I expect my partner to bend to my will in all things. Not so good. So temperatures have risen, and we’ve had some blazing rows recently. Thankfully both of us never forget how much we mean to each other, and each confrontation has been a good learning point.

We bought a Super King Size Bed – which takes up just about the whole bedroom. We love the bed and bought satin sheets for pure indulgence. Big mistake, as we’ve spent most of the last 10 nights sliding off the slippery sheets. Back to cotton we go, which certainly helps in this heat.















And we’ve taken up new pursuits together – including archery. He is an avid collector of decorative weaponry – compound bows, samurai swords and dangerous little flick-knives. We decided to try out bows and arrows at a club in nearby East Finchley and have just finished our Beginner’s Course together. We love it, and are just about to buy our first Recurve Bows. Recurve bows are the utilitarian design best suited to everyday archery, but I did have the privilege of shooting with a more traditional longbow as well. Not easy, but what a beautiful, elegant bow to shoot with!

Last night we sat together outside on the clubhouse steps, gazing out over the archery fields, and watching the big sky over Highgate Wood, where thundery storm clouds shot lightning bolts across the horizon, and a cool breeze began to blow the sticky heat away. This summer has been wonderful; I have been unemployed for part of it, but have loved the free time and holiday heat.

Archery, walking, swimming in the Hampstead ponds, as well as a Boules match at my Summer Sunday Picnic, and a day on the magnificent Stone Bay Beach at Broadstairs - as well as Glastonbury, of course - has made my summer season action-packed and an utter joy. No sweat at all …