The Slow Path North - Edgelands

I take a short detour to look at James Severs house
in an early Georgian street that has been kept
in its original state, or a gentrified version of it,
without press gangs, muggers and chaps with
wigs being witty to each other. Back round the
alleys on the way back to the high street
there are lots of weeds and a general retro feel of
dilapidation. Crossing the main road again at
Holywell Street I turn left to have a look at
the site of the Curtain Theatre built in 1577
by James Burbage. Disused by 1625,
it was destroyed in the Great Fire.
Pretty unlucky, really, as it’s a long way out.
It’s now a small bedraggled yard with a
wire fence and a few cars parked and weeds,
including a giant buddleia, growing up
through the tarmac.

At St Leonard’s Church I reach the start of
Old Street, where I decide to end the day’s walk –
I can feel some twinges from my hernia scars
and I feel like taking it easy for now.
I have already got far enough North to leave behind
the city which – on a weekday at least – always
seems to give me a headache. In fact I don’t like it
at all (especially with all those new shit
comedy skyscrapers) and this walk has made me
wonder why I still want to live in London.
I never go into the main central areas these days
and I understand why. I’m just too much of an introvert.
Now in calmer waters, as I stroll back towards
the 141 bus route at City Road, I encounter a woman
sitting in a doorway, shouting and screaming
to herself that the end of the world is coming.
I start a light jog, which I change
quickly to a brisk limpy walk, as I see a bus
moving slowly through the traffic.

(Notes from A Slow Path North, 2015)