Ah London.  I love it from a distance.  But every time I'm there I think "JEEZUS!  I could NEVER live here!"  If it's not the weather, rain every other day, or the lack of affordable produce, half a pound for 1 miserable little apple, it's the fact that not having Thanksgiving, they start decorating for Christmas the first of November!  To quote our eloquent president "WRONG!"

Starbucks, November 1st

That said, I have just returned from a few days visiting the daughter where I saw Kinky Boots at the theater, (I highly recommend it),  saw Bohemian Rhapsody at the cinema, (epic music,) and ate expensive exotic food like kuzu guvec, (Turkish lamb), and sultana scones, (saying sultana instead of raisin makes them exotic).  But generally I just stumbled along after G who is busy and has a life there and who walks way too fast.  I had her take me to see the Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond in Hampstead Heath, a huge park not far from her place.  (I've also seen it called Highgate Pond and Hampstead Pond.  Dunno. ) There are 3 swimming ponds in the park, one exclusively for women, one for men and one mixed.   They've been open for swimming since the late 1800's and are maintained via small contributions by patrons.  The Ladies' pond is surrounded by woods and fenced to provide privacy.  There is a changing room, a tiny snack bar and wooden platforms for sitting with ladders for access to the water.  Photos are not permitted as many of the patron bathe au naturel.  I snuck a corner shot from the end of one of the paths leading in.  It is charming, naked old ladies apart.

Tomorrow back to the grind. xxoo me