London

28th May

The local Book Group met this afternoon . We have been reading William Boyd's "Armadillo" which is a thriller set in the world of business insurance and loss adjustment about which we knew next to nothing.Some readers felt let down by the ending or, as some said, the lack of an ending but we appreciated the characterisation, the humour and the descriptive writing .The author certainly knows his London and enjoys writing about it and makes witty comments about the social scene and the changes made in city society. We preferred his later novel "Ordinary Thunderstorms" which was also a thriller placed in central London: last week we had a bird's eye view from the Cable Car of the dock areas where some of the action took place in that novel---no Olympic Village and Shard in those days!

21st May

Today 98 Bucks WI members who had been fortunate to obtain tickets visited Royal Greenwich. Such had been the demand that another coach and tour has been booked for 14th June for which there may be spare places; it is an unexpected date but the only one available to book for a relief outing.The day was cold but dry and we enjoyed the walk through the Park and crossed the Greenwich Meantime Line before exploring the Maritime Museum and the Queen's House. After lunch we had plenty of time to wander around the Cutty Sark which has been restored so beautifully with exhibitions and lively explanatory notes in every shape and form. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we could all hear even though such a large party. Then it was off to the O2 to take a ride in the Cable Car.When we had first seen the string of little cabins from the hill in Greenwich, it had looked very like a Christmas decoration strung exceedingly high and rather flimsy. Doubts were expressed as to whether some were actually going to risk it but in the event everyone boarded and enjoyed the experience. Even on a day without maximum visibility it was wonderful to ride high above the Thames and see the panorama of London spread out below us.