A fine day out in London

I had lunch today with liv, oursin, and green_knight. We met outside St. Pancras railway station (which is convenient to, among other things, the Northern Line, which is near where my mother lives.

We had a good lunch at a pub near the station, then spent some time in the British Library looking at interesting old books and manuscripts in the Treasury. When I had looked at about as much as I could enjoy--my eyes didn't hurt, but my brain wanted to take a break and maybe look at trees or sky--we went to Ruby Violet for ice cream and more conversation. The cucumber-mint sorbet wasn't quite as good as JP Licks' cucumber ice cream, but had the great advantage of being available today, instead of only in July, and the Belgian ice cream was superior to any other I can remember having.

The conversation ranged widely, and included a bit of politics--probably inevitable, since we weren't actively trying to avoid it--as well as life in general, books and libraries, food, and travel. Eventually liv had to head back to Cambridge, so we all went our separate ways, and I had a quiet dinner at home with my mother.

Yesterday Mom and I went to the London Eye, which is very touristy (of course) but also offers very good views of that part of London, and we had just about perfect weather for it, and for a boat ride on the Thames (we bought a combination ticket). Today's weather was equally delightful (highs in the low 20s [low 70s if you prefer Fahrenheit]). The other main thing I want to do this trip, other than just spend time talking to Mom, is to visit Kew Gardens, but my legs and hips need a day's rest first.

On the train home, I noticed a tote bag with 'Do what you love' printed in large script, and my immediate thought was that that was easier before it turned out that what I need to do is write to strangers and yell at fascists. I very much enjoyed what I did today, but I don't think that's the shape of doing that slogan is about.