Sunday 17 February 2013

Putney Bridge

Liverpool Street Station teeming with people, scurrying about their business as I plunge into the Underground, crowded escalators carrying me into the bowels of the earth, then jammed onto a Central line train packed with strangers, fellow travellers. Unknown, unknowable lives. The District line is quieter, room to sit down, closer to the surface and, finally, three hours after leaving my sleepy Suffolk village, I arrive at Putney Bridge Station surfacing, blinking, into the bright February sunshine and take a deep breath of fresher air.

I set out across Putney Bridge, red London buses, cars, taxis, bicycles, pedestrians, all suspended over the fast-flowing Thames, creating its own spaces, microclimate and ancient rhythms, indifferent to the world that has evolved around it. Then I saw him walking towards me, the tall, dark, handsome young man with his Grandmother's vivid blue eyes and a warm bear hug for me. My first-born son!  We walk together, chatting and laughing, exchanging news, so pleased to see each other, into a bustling Saturday Putney High Street, then take a turning into a quieter residential road, following it through towards the Common and a quiet pub for lunch.

 The next time I see him will be his Wedding Day.
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24 comments:

  1. Unknown17 February 2013 at 17:03

    What a lovely post - I really enjoyed reading it. How lovely to have a wedding to look forward to. XX

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    1. Catherine18 February 2013 at 16:36

      Yes, indeed, Suzanne and what a rite of passage! Thank you - I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it.

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  2. Jane and Lance Hattatt18 February 2013 at 09:53

    Hello Marianne:
    The noise, the crowds and everyone in a hurry is so very much London. How well you capture the direct contrast between your sleepy Suffolk village and the bustling metropolis.

    But, that warm embrace must have made the journey every bit worthwhile. And, the excitement of a wedding. How lovely!

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  3. Catherine18 February 2013 at 16:39

    Quite a culture shock! I should go up more often - I love London in small doses and really appreciate the contrast when I come home.

    I would (and have) crossed continents to see my sons and there is nothing better or more satisfying. I can't believe he is getting married!

    Thank you for the kind words.

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  4. Zuzana19 February 2013 at 12:24

    What a beautiful post, you have a way of using words so poetically, creating images in a reader's mind.
    What a lovely fact that is, that your son will be getting married, you must be so proud. Congratulations.;)
    Have a great week ahead,
    xoxo

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  5. Catherine19 February 2013 at 17:37

    Zuzana, thank you! What a lovely, kind comment - I do appreciate it.

    Getting married is such a very grown-up thing to do. I am so proud of him (of all my boys). I shall come straight over the see how the move went.

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  6. All At Sea19 February 2013 at 18:54

    How lovely, and your boy is getting married! May the sun shine brightly on you all xx

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  7. Linda P20 February 2013 at 21:58

    A wedding to look forward to - that's wonderful! You write so vividly as you describe your journey into the hustle and bustle of the city ending in
    the moment of that special meeting. A lovely introduction to an on-going story. I'm looking forward to hearing more in due course.
    Hope you are having a good week.

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    1. Catherine21 February 2013 at 10:57

      It is very exciting Linda and a stimulating day out. Thank you for the kind words.

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  8. Friko23 February 2013 at 22:23

    Hi Marianne,

    When we first thought of moving - leaving London - we explored Suffolk but then decided on Shropshire. I wish we had chosen Suffolk, although our hills are beautiful. I miss being close to London and I would love to be able to do what you did, get on a train and just stroll about for the day.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a friendly comment. I just took a look at your profile, we appear to have quite a few preferences in common.

    Congratulations on gaining a new family member.

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  9. Catherine24 February 2013 at 12:57

    Lovely to meet you Friko and I do hope you are feeling better now. We considered lots of places when we moved here, both in the UK and abroad but ultimately the need to be accessible to our family together with the demands of my partner's passion for sailing led us to Suffolk. It is good to be able to jump on a train and go and see them sometimes or meet up with old friends who have moved to other parts of the country.

    I love it that the family just keeps growing! Thank you for the congratulations

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  10. Pondside26 February 2013 at 04:34

    Hello Marianne
    Thank you for coming by and for following my blog - I have really enjoyed having a look around your blog and will follow. I like what you have to say and how you express it. A big wave from the Pacific Northwest!

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  11. Catherine26 February 2013 at 14:57

    Look forward to it Pondside and a big wave back from a grey, arctic, very February Suffolk

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  12. rachel26 February 2013 at 20:33

    Oh, that made me cry. How lovely for you - your son's wedding. Wishing you glorious weather and a fabulous hat!

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    1. Catherine28 February 2013 at 11:22

      Hello Rachel. I hope it was crying in the nicest possible way! Hats - well they don't seem to make them for me, but I will keep looking just in case I can find one that works. Otherwise will just have to try and look fabulous without.

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  13. Vintage Tea Time28 February 2013 at 20:36

    Thanks for your comment, Marianne. Just browsed your blog - you write beautifully! A son's wedding will be wonderful. We've had 3 daughters' wedding, which - after their births - have been the best days of my life! I shall visit you again. Abby X

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    1. Catherine1 March 2013 at 10:23

      Lovely to meet you too and thank you for the kind comment. I do appreciate it. This is the first wedding of one of the children and new territory for me. I shall come and see you again.

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  14. Nutty Gnome1 March 2013 at 16:06

    Lovely evocative post Marianne ...and you've reminded me I really MUST get on and book that theatre weekend in London! :-)

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  15. Rosie2 March 2013 at 15:50

    Hello Marianne, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I've enjoyed reading about your journey to Putney Pridge:)

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  16. Hilary3 March 2013 at 05:31

    I read this the other day and was sure I had commented but now see that I did not. I love the way you wrote about the everyday city life.. above and below ground. Then when your son came into view, I felt like the sunshine came out from behind a hazy cloud. Congrats on the upcoming nuptials.

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    1. Catherine4 March 2013 at 14:12

      Thank you Hilary. Glad you enjoyed reading it - it's always good to get positive feedback - makes my day! A wedding in the family is awesome. Really looking forward to it all!

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