Tuesday 9 August 2011

On this gloriously sunny afternoon, local shopkeepers are boarding up their windows; all is peaceful except for intermittent sirens.
I wish I'd thought to ask for a phone number from the lovely couple who gave me a lift home in their cab last night at midnight as we attempted to skirt around the riot.
I know I thanked them. But I was shocked to the core to find riot police gathering at the end of my quiet, leafy street.
I hope they - and the cheerful black-cab driver - got home safely.
And I wish that the BBC would stop talking about protestors.
Because nobody was protesting.
They were looting.
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15 comments:

  1. kristina9 August 2011 at 17:55

    You're so right. It has nothing to do with protesting. So glad you're safe. It all seemed so remote when it started, but not anymore.

    K x

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  2. mary9 August 2011 at 17:59

    I was berating myself for coming home on my own so late at night, Kristina, until I realised that if I'd caught an earlier train, I'd more than likely have been right in the middle as it all started.
    So I'm staying at home tonight!

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  3. Anonymous9 August 2011 at 18:36

    Heartfelt thoughts that you are safe Mary. May it stay that way. I haven't listened to the news all day, I can't bear conflict.

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  4. mary9 August 2011 at 18:38

    I've been hooked to news all day, Toffeeapple; I'm sure it's bad for you.

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  5. mary9 August 2011 at 18:46

    I hope your parents are okay, Sue. Everything here is closed and boarded up.

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  6. Darlene9 August 2011 at 19:18

    Thank goodness you got home safely, Mary! I'm going to focus on the good and say how much I appreciate people going out of their way to help others rather than look the other way.

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  7. mary9 August 2011 at 19:23

    I was so glad to have met such lovely people, Darlene, as it would have been unnerving alone.
    And don't let it put you off your planned trip ... we are all so shocked because London genuinely is a very safe city. And people out on the streets at midnight are usually perfectly ordinary types like me on their way home!

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  8. Anonymous9 August 2011 at 20:22

    Mary I am so glad you are safe...I thought of you when I saw Ealing Broadway on the news. My best friend lives on Mare Street and she said she was terrified to go outside - I can't believe it. I haven't been able to think of anything else all day. I am hoping tonight will be the end of it, for everyone's sake.

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  9. mary9 August 2011 at 20:50

    Hi Rachel, and you were talking about Harlem! Fortunately, train I was on didn't stop and we were carried on to Paddington - otherwise I'd have walked straight into the worst of it. Rain forecast tonight which will probably drive the hard men off the streets!

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  10. SmitoniusAndSonata10 August 2011 at 00:42

    Last night we were coming home from the Barbican , having seen Super 8 , and Stoke Newington was surreally like the little town in the film . Pubs and cafes all shut at 9 !
    No , it's not protesting . It's theft and I hope no one's hurt .

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  11. Anonymous10 August 2011 at 05:15

    Please know that prayers and thoughts are coming across the Atlantic for all of you in London and beyond that are being affected by this. Here's praying for peace tonight.

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  12. mary10 August 2011 at 14:41

    What a week you chose for your visit, Sonata.
    And thank you, lifeonthecutoff, for your good wishes. Last night was peaceful here, but unfortunately not for others.

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  13. Mystica10 August 2011 at 15:24

    Hope all of you Britishers and your families are ok. I find it very difficult to believe in the extent of looting.

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  14. Mac n' Janet10 August 2011 at 15:56

    My thoughts and prayers go out to you, what's happening is horrible, and they are looters. i feel sorry for the police, damned if they do too little, and dragged into court if they do too much. And the press and tv just sit and pontificate, they make me sick.

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  15. mary10 August 2011 at 17:34

    Thanks for your good wishes, Mystica and Janet. I have huge admiration for everybody who is getting on with business as normal today.

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