Tags

, , ,

It’s a delectably warm, sunny afternoon in Cabot Square, Canary Wharf. The sky is azure with tiny whispers of pearly cloud hanging high above the towers of high-rise glass offices that surround this pretty square.

I am in the heart of East London’s frighteningly fast paced financial district but being a weekend the atmosphere is decidedly calm – lazy even. A spectacularly circular fountain takes centre stage and stretched out cat-like people are kicking off their shoes and laying out in the scrumptious slices of sun.

The fountain bubbles like champagne, foamy water spraying high into the air and descending in a murmured splash. Children and adults alike dip their toes in the cool, refreshing water; taking a moment to enjoy the quietude. Middle aged women, faces hidden behind dark glasses, are rolling up their trousers to sun their  legs; whilst leaning in close for a good natter. Individuals are cosied up on wooden benches sipping icy frappuccino’s and leafing through the pages of glossy magazines. Couples are sharing cream cakes bought from nearby bakeries and children are running in small circles around their parents laughing and clapping their hands together. Even the pigeons are taking it easy today; laying their bodies down flat, dark wings tucked in, on the beautifully smooth marble slats that double up as convenient sunloungers.

On this late afternoon the usual hum of traffic and clicking of high heels in a hurry is replaced by the rhythmic flow of the fountains and the occasional squawk from a passing bird. For just a moment I have found the rarest of things – an urban Eden.

I hastily scrawled this in a notebook last weekend. Anyone else managed to find a quiet moment or a cosy corner in a surprising part of the city? Tell us about it! The floor is yours…

P.S. Here is your quote of the day.

When we are present in each moment, the past gently rolls up behind us and the future slowly unravels before us. ~ Rev Richard Levy