There is no getting away from the fact that I am a city girl at heart. On my travels I wonder at stunning landscapes (mountains and deserts in particular). And I’m always thrilled to observe wild animals in their natural homes. But I couldn’t live anywhere other than a city. I like to be close to the action: to galleries, cinemas and restaurants. And I enjoy the buzz of city streets and the diversity of modern city living.
Of course in these strange times, much of what I love about city life is closed to me. My regular treats of coffee in a local café, a visit to a gallery or an evening at the cinema remain tantalisingly out of reach. But I know that they are out there somewhere, waiting for me …
So the world I offer you a glimpse into for this week’s Lens-Artists challenge is my ‘normal’ world, a gallery of some of my favourite images of my home city London.
As always, you can simply scroll through the montage or click on any image for a slideshow of larger shots.
40 Comments
Tina Schell
Not quite sure how I missed your wonderful post Sarah! Love London although I’ve not been back in several years. We have family there (our daughter-in-law’s entire family is there). I was surprised at your header/opener. Much more contemporary than I’d remember. Looks awesome!! Loved your images – they give a really nice overview of your beautiful city.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tina 🙂 I only posted this a few days ago so you didn’t exactly ‘miss’ it! The header image was taken from Tower Bridge last year. On the left are some newish buildings on the south bank including City Hall (the odd shaped elliptical structure) and the Shard, although both have been there a few years now. On the right is the City of London, constantly evolving!
Easymalc
A fabulous collection of London images here Sarah – and all captured perfectly
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Malcolm 😊 The one of the street artist was taken on our walk in Shoreditch – did you recognise her?
Easymalc
Yes I did – and before I forget I’ve had one of your followers take a look at one of my posts thanks to your recommendation. Thank you so much!
Sarah Wilkie
It’s great when that happens 🙂 I recently acquired a new follower thanks to Fergy recommending me!
Easymalc
Great!
JohnRH
Excellent Sarah. One of the greatest cities of the western world.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John, much appreciated 🙂
Leya
Good eye, lovely lens – and memories of the city I love the most! It’s been too long now – in my youth we went every year for museums, musicals, concerts, or just walking Highgate and the city cafe’s and streets. And the people. Oh, thank you for giving me a glimpse again!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leya, I’m glad you enjoyed this. I’m happy to see how many other blogger friends love London 🙂
Leya
I do believe we are many!
Leya
🙂
Suzanne
Sarah, lovely to view London through your eyes. It is a city that keeps on giving and we never tired from it. Though I enjoyed it far more as a “retiree” than a broke young traveller 😉
Sarah Wilkie
I enjoy it more as a retiree too – not that I was ever a broke young traveller here, but because when you are working you have less time to enjoy it. I worked in central London for ten years and while I never tired of, for instance, walking through St James’s Park to a meeting, the commute on crowded Tube trains was tiring.
rosalieann37
I will visit the city – but I return to the country – I guess I’m the country mouse
Sarah Wilkie
The opposite to me – I love to visit the countryside but wouldn’t want to live there!
VO
How I love London… It’s been too long. Thank you for all these beautiful photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Vero 🙂 You must come back one day, when such things are possible again!
VO
Oh I’d love that. My last visit was 6 or 7 years ago… Too long.
I was invited at a wedding in Buckinghamshire this summer but it was postponed to 2022 because of the damned virus. It will definitely be a good occasion to spend a bit of time in London anyway.
Sarah Wilkie
And if you do we must meet up 🙂
VO
Absolutely!!!
Marsha
I can see why you love London so much, Sarah. I was there once, and it’s so alive. We were busy with something enlightening to do 24/7. I didn’t want to come home. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marsha – good to hear you enjoyed your visit so much 🙂 And lovely to ‘meet’ you!
Marsha
Same here, Sarah. Mom loved England and read romance books set in England. I had the opportunity to do a study/travel with a University writing group. I took Mom with me and we saw so many of the places she had only read about.
Amy
Ah… London. Thank you for the wonderful tour, Sarah. The last trip to London was 2017, your beautiful photos brought back wonderful memories. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Happy to have brought back good memories for you Amy, and thank you for the compliment on my photos 😀
restlessjo
I loved the city when I lived there many years ago, Sarah. You’ve showcased its beauty so well 🙂 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Jo – I hadn’t realised you once lived in London! I’m glad you feel that I’ve done it justice 🙂
restlessjo
When I was young and foolish. Much older and foolish now 🙂 🙂
sheetalbravon
Sarah, your pictures were gorgeous and London never looked more beautiful. Your love for the city shines through. My favourite has to be the underground sign with the tower in the background. I’ve truly enjoyed this glimpse into your world and one day hope to see it in person. Thank you for this awesome share.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for those kind words Sheetal – and again, thank you for the challenge theme that inspired them 🙂
pattimoed
This is a fabulous post, Sarah! Your images brought back wonderful memories of our stay in London in the fall of 2019. I want to go back!!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Patti, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and it brought back such good memories 🙂
Anne Sandler
A wonderful photo review Sarah! I would love to visit London some day. The closest I’ve come is my British friend who tells me all about it.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne 🙂 I hope you get your wish and are able to visit one day!
100 Country Trek
Great photos of London..so much to see and do. Travelling to Europe we always take a direct flight to London..spend some time in London and move on to Europe..Best way to connect.
Sarah Wilkie
Good idea – you can get extra value out of a holiday if you can manage to stop off somewhere en route 🙂
margaret21
You’ve got such a good eye, Sarah, and even familiar London sights look fresh when seen through your eyes – not to mention the secret treasures that few of us see, such as the wall plaque near St. Paul’s.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 🙂 I guess I’ve had many years in which to try to get decent shots of these places – although I only spotted that wall plaque last summer despite having used the station entrance next to it hundreds of times!