London and WWII

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum, over by the Parliament and the Treasury building. It struck me how much that World War II is a part of the culture here, and how different it is from the US.

The War Rooms were just amazing - a whole network of little rooms underground, with a big steel plate protecting them, where pretty much the whole war was mapped, tracked and plotted for years. There was an extensive map room, secret communication rooms with secure green phones, and sleeping and eating areas for the Churchill's and their staff. It all looks like some kind of contrived diorama with the fake soldiers and all, but it was all well used. In fact, after the war ended, the guys in the map room just tidied up, left and locked the door behind them, so when the rooms were discovered later it was almost all intact.

The Churchill Museum is new, opened last year, and it was very complete and interesting as well. It uses some really unique technology, such as an electronic interactive table map where you can explore key dates in Churchill's life, all 90 years of it. Plus they had some of his clothes, a trademark hat, and even one of his paintings. I don't feel like they make world leaders like that any more. It seems that there are statues of winston everywhere in London, in the oddest places. I can't imagine Tony Blair or Maggie Thatcher being so honored after they have passed on, or god forbid, GW.

Then Saturday we went to dinner at a restaurant called Frontline that is part of a club for war journalists and they had a really cool black and white photo of the the blitz, with a huge black cloud almost covering up St Paul's cathedral. I suppose World War II in the US was probably equally life changing for many, with lots of families losing their sons and husbands overseas and everyone having to ration their food and pitch in. But I can't imagine the sheer horror of the Londoners living through the constant every day bombing and the war dragging on for so many years. I was shocked to learn that Churchill actually lost the election while he was over negotiating the German surrender at Potsdam. I guess the Brits had enough war at that point.

Golfing and Salt Beef

I have finally succumbed to learning to golf. I have been avoiding it most of my life, to me, golf always seemed like a boring game for old men in short pants. I remember when I was younger I was told that I would have to learn to play golf or tennis so I would have something to do when I was older. I went for tennis. But now that I am 'older' or at least a somewhat serious businessperson - no one seems to have tennis days with customers or casually say to a colleague - hey, how about a game of tennis this afternoon?

Since golf was invented here, after all, when I moved here in June I thought golfing would be a good idea, but I never found the right place or the time to try it. Luckily Mark is resourceful so he found a course I could get to on the tube, and got me a set of starter clubs and lessons for Christmas. Thus the last three sundays I have spent at Trent Park, a course near Oakwood, just off the Picadilly Line. It is about a 30 minute tube ride and the park is just across from the station, making it pretty easy to get to. My golf bag has backpack straps and is probably not as heavy as my laptop bag, so all in all the trip is not bad.

Surprisingly I seem to be doing pretty well with Allison, my instructor. I don't know if I am ready to light the course on fire, but I am okay and rarely miss the ball. And today I did what is always my favorite thing to do with any sport - I bought some gear...some kind of ugly dark golf shoes, and a very nice blue waterproof jacket. I think I am up to five coats/jackets acquired since I have been in London. Obviously I have a problem!

The best part today was lunch - I went to a really nice little deli just across from the course, the Oakwood Deli. It is a true Jewish deli with latkas and at least six kinds of matzo crackers, as well as bar mitzvah cards and fresh bagels. Anyway, I had a really nice salt beef sandwich (corned beef to Americans) and a latte and the proprieters of the deli were lovely. It is obvious they have been there a long time and have a steady stream of Sunday regulars. I have been to another Jewish deli in the West End before, which was okay, but very overpriced. So I am pleased to have discovered the Oakwood Deli today.

Pancake Day

Last Tuesday was Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent. In England (and Ireland, Australia and Canada evidently as well), it is better known as Pancake Day.

Evidently the tradition comes from long ago when folks didn't eat eggs and milk during lent either, and made pancakes to use them all up before the start of the season. I went to lunch with a couple of customers that day, and both were planning pancakes with golden syrup for dinner (or dessert).

Another interesting tradition is pancake races - people of all ages running around with a frying pan, flipping the pancake as they go along.

Unfortunately I did not partake of any pancakes, which I guess is fine since I have never really been a pancake fan anyway.