The past meets the present along the South Bank

Enjoying grandchildren and blogging simply don’t mix, so I haven’t been part of Becky’s Past Squares lately. But old and new meet beautifully in London, so let’s finish the month by strolling along London’s South Bank.

I took this picture of my grandchildren because it reminded me of an iconic advert for Start-rite shoes which I can’t show because it’s under copyright. Instead I’ll show you a blast from the past: their dad’s first pair of shoes – yes, I still have them.

And later, as day became evening, here’s the London skyline: St Paul’s Cathedral, built after the Great Fire of London by Sir Christopher Wren, with a forest of cranes showing the continued growth of this city.

Thanks Becky, for yet another month of fun and squaring. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures in Portugal.

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

51 thoughts on “The past meets the present along the South Bank”

  1. Love the photo of the grandkids, how beautifully coordinated they are dressed. I once knitted cable cardigans like hers! But I can’t believe you still have your son’s first shoes!

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    1. I am such a sucker. But they’re so much a part of my souvenirs that I can’t get rid of them now. Other granny is responsible for the cardigan – can’t knit to save my life!

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  2. What a beautiful photo of your grandkids – how cute are their outfits! Love the shoes – reminds me of my own daughters’ and granddaughters’ first shoes. They do grow up so fast (mine are 8 and 6 now) -I’m debating what to keep and what to pass on but the dolls house that has gone down the generations has to stay. Lovely you have been catching up with your grandkids again too. The photos of London are beautiful 🙂

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    1. Oh, you’re right, the doll’s house has to stay. On balance, don’t be like me. I’m a terrible hoarder, and when I give in and get rid of stuff, I don’t feel cleansed so much as bereft.

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      1. We are planning a big clear out this spring (Down Under spring). I’ve always tended to hold onto things but have become much more ruthless in disposing of stuff in recent years. I do try and donate rather than just throw away though. The dolls’ house is definitely staying! I will give it a good clean and then it’s going up into the attic/playroom/yoga retreat room above our garage!

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  3. Beautiful photo of the grandchildren 😊 And you’ve captured the South Bank perfectly for this time of year. Welcome back. Hopefully you’ve had a wonderful spell of family time 😊

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  5. That’s a great photo of the children and yes, it is very reminiscent of a famous advert. 🙂 There’s nothing odd about having your son’s first pair of shoes – I have my daughter’s first pair. I also have my own first pair because my mum kept them!

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    1. You’re so wrong about the walking. I packed the push chair away when his sister was born before he was two and he jolly well had to walk everywhere. And he did. As do those two children of his. I kept those shoes polished, and the wretched feet kept on growing. Expensive times …

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  8. What a lovely shot of the children and how lovely that you kept the shoes. I’m ruthless with clearing out and sometimes I do wish I’d kept more. Husband on the other hand is a hoarder, but never anything sentimental. Just endless cables and military kit!

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  10. Your little ones look adorable in their color-coordinated outfits Margaret! And OF COURSE you still have your son’s shoes. Believe it or not I still have my mother’s first shoes and she’s been gone some 20 years now. I treasure them along with my grandmother’s set of first diaper pins – one for myself (pink) and one for each of my 4 brothers (blue). It’s the little things, isn’t it?!

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  11. The colour coordination is entirely accidental! I’m glad you don’t think I’m entirely barmy for hanging on to things. Tonight my grandson is going Trick or Treating wearing the wizard’s cape I made for his dad 40 years ago!

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  13. I remember those kinds of shoes and kids’ feet do grow so fast. When I was a kid, I had to wear those expensive kinds of shoes because they told my mom I would be flat-footed if I didn’t. Either the shoes worked great, or they sold her a bill of goods to get her to buy the most expensive shoes in the world – Buster Brown or Srtide-Right Mary Jane shoes. They cost $57 now even at Amazon! 🙂 My husband’s mother had his baby shoes coppered. We still display them – so cute! 🙂 Happy Halloween, Margaret. 🙂

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    1. Thanks – and to you too! But these super-expensive shoes had to be measured for in minute detail. Do you remember? Aaagh. Nightmare all round. Still love having these little mementoes though.

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      1. I do remember, but I always got a prize of some sort, so I looked forward to it. It’s amazing what things little kids will do for cheap prizes – at least I did.

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  18. Great to see you enjoying family time in London! I remember that Start-Rite advert of course so I see exactly what you mean about the photo of your grandchildren 🙂

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