Your comment about the aging from the burbs- that struck a chord. 20-odd years ago I had to regularly come to London for training weeks and seminars. Had the same experience every time; first couple of days excited, loving the buzz, the pace, the vibe. By Thursday fed up, knackered and overwhelmed by it all and aching to get back to life in a more rural setting. London is as it always was and you need a certain mindset to enjoy it. It hasn't changed; my daughter is loving it. We're Devonians!
As a fellow Devonian I find the biggest shock when visiting London is the difference in demographics to our rural backwater. So many young people! I love feeling the energy and optimism that has, sadly, been sucked out of our peripheral towns. I also enjoy being somewhere where new things get built, often in the interests of younger working people. All rural folk should visit London a few times a year (the public transport is great!) and reconnect with the future. Who knows, they may even take a small part of that future back with them to the village, to the benefit of all of us.
Your comment about the aging from the burbs- that struck a chord. 20-odd years ago I had to regularly come to London for training weeks and seminars. Had the same experience every time; first couple of days excited, loving the buzz, the pace, the vibe. By Thursday fed up, knackered and overwhelmed by it all and aching to get back to life in a more rural setting. London is as it always was and you need a certain mindset to enjoy it. It hasn't changed; my daughter is loving it. We're Devonians!
As a fellow Devonian I find the biggest shock when visiting London is the difference in demographics to our rural backwater. So many young people! I love feeling the energy and optimism that has, sadly, been sucked out of our peripheral towns. I also enjoy being somewhere where new things get built, often in the interests of younger working people. All rural folk should visit London a few times a year (the public transport is great!) and reconnect with the future. Who knows, they may even take a small part of that future back with them to the village, to the benefit of all of us.
Very well put Dominic, agree wholeheartedly.