I had planned to start this research trip in 2021, and was so very glad to finally be back in London.
It’s a lovely, somewhat unique feeling. Every time I land I feel a little bit like I’m coming home, as my first memories are of London (Battersea, then Kensington) where we lived for 3 1/2 years before returning to Canada.
After a sleepless flight, checked in to a modest hotel near King’s Cross and stumbled around Bloomsbury. Enjoyed exploring, with highlights including Skoob Books and Judd Books and a pint in the sun. Modest ambitions and bed very early.
Which meant awake at 3am, and a nasty McDonalds 3:45am coffee, followed by a ‘first time I’ve been so grateful for a Starbucks at 6am’ Americano.
Then a proper English breakfast and the tube to Piccadilly and Waterstones and Hatchards. Tried Sotheran’s, the “longest established antiquarian booksellers in the world” (founded 1761), but no one about so plan to try again when back in London 10 days from now.
Then to the bend of the Thames where the Savoy Palace would have stood before it was burned down in the Peasant’s Revolt. Where John of Gaunt lived with his wife Blanche of Lancaster, the object of Chaucer’s desire, and focus of my second novel, The Storyteller’s Desire. It stood midway between the Palace of Westminster and the Vintry district and Chaucer’s family home on Thames Street. The view now blocked by boats and bridges and 650 years. The Thames was wider then, but one can imagine stepping onto a barge…
Then picked up some wine and walked to Waterloo and the train to Surrey to be picked up by my writer/editor friend, the very talented and generous Merle Nygate, who graciously made lunch and we caught up and shared stories. Merle edited The Storyteller’s Reputation and I had the great fortune to provide feedback on her excellent novel The Righteous Spy. Then Ubered to a hotel by Gatwick for another poor sleep (allowing me the time to write this) before catching an early flight to Bordeaux – where Chaucer would have landed in February, 1366.
