A slice of spring in London..

The hot sticky weather lately makes me long for the four seasons which I used to experience about 25 years ago.
Of all the four , I love spring..Spring comes and the whiff of heavenly fragrances filled the air.Green shoots coming from underground bulbs ,flowers of all species blossom, patches of green green grass approaching from once ice- covered ground...Most importantly I could throw the bulky thick winter clothing in the closet and it would remain there until the next winter days.
It s April now, so it means spring time at the other side of the globe.I remember spending a few days of spring in London on my backpacking trip to Europe.I just could not stop myself from admiring the gardens in front of the English cottages.There were roses and roses and more roses,from one garden to another and they were just incredible..big ,colourful ones that you just cant stop your itchy hands from plucking them.
Spring also reminds me of the red double-decker bus in the city of London.Spring 1985,I was there,finding my way around London.Actually that was my third time being there, and that particular time I was on my way to tour Europe.I worked,I saved and I put aside my practical allowance specially for the long awaited tour.For I knew, once I was back in our Bolehland,there would be a slim chance for me to go on such a tour.It s not a classy,5-star hotel tour where butlers awaited for our arrival, but just a backpacking one where I went hoping from one youth hostel to another for bed and breakfast. I remember breakfast was always that long,hard and tasteless french bread with jams and marmalade,where I would stuff some of it into my smaller backpack for lunch before starting off for the day.
In London,luckily I had friend to venture around with.Madamme Tussaud, Harrods(just for a tour not shopping of course),Selfridges,Big Ben,Tower of London,Buckingham Palace were no longer on top of my list since I had been there on the previous trips.My intention during my two-day transit was just to rest after disembarking from Transworld Airlines and before boarding a hovercraft to get across the English Channel.So, that particular day was spent touring around the city amidst the hustle and bustle of the Londoners ,strolling lazily along Thames River stopping couple of times taking photos with guards in uniform,feeding the pigeons at Trafalgar Square ,sitting on one of the benches near the Big Ben while admiring the flowers around and the passer by and finally just lazing at Hyde Park in the crisp Spring air.We were just walking and wandering until it was almost dusk time.

Lepaking on one of the benches..

Beds of tulips and a double decker bus...

For memory..with one of the guards posted along Thames River

The Big Ben..

Realising that, we rushed to the bus-stop and only to see the red double-decker bus was about to move.This friend of mine who had been so used to life in London , sprinted for the bus without bothering the eyes around.We surely had made quite a scene..two girls tudung wrapped scurying around the town for a bus as if it was the last one on earth.Leaving with no choice,I chased after her.Of course, I wouldnt want to be left alone and got lost as I didnt know my way around.At first I thought she was definitely going to stop after a few seconds,but I misjudged her, as she was really determined to get onto the bus.Staying in London had truly made her a strong and persistent being.She kept on running after the bus for a few meters i.e until the next bus -stop before hoping onto it.Slowly, the bus came to a halt at the bus -stop, and panting for breath I finally able to catch up,mount the staircase and collapse on the nearest seat.
I was drained of energy , waiting for my heart to explode...

The two of us..sprinters of the day.Back then she was a lawyer to be..
Look at my green socks.Would I dare to wear it today???Those were the younger energetic days ..where all the crazy things were possible.