I’m not going to write about the London Marathon! Der!” I massively scoff in reply to Ian, who is un-versed in the higher aspects of journalism. (He thinks knowing what ‘DPS’ stands for qualifies him for full NUJ membership.)
“By the time this article comes out, the 2019 marathon will be LONG over. Old news! History! Passé. I’m not even going to mention it!” I say.
We’re in London to support Greg, Ellie’s fiancé, who is running… you know… 26 miles, 385 yards in aid of VICTA, a charity for blind and partially sighted children. I am deeply impressed and considerably poorer as a result of Greg’s participation in the… you know… event-thing originating from a battle 490BC (Newtonian calendar) - in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians.
We’re staying in Durrants Hotel, Marylebone, which is not only gloriously comfortable but amazingly situated. We’re a couple of minutes’ walk from Selfridges, a store where the poshly outfitted doormen have friendly name badges. I get to recognise ‘Nick’ quite easily over the course of a weekend, though he seems curiously oblivious as to who I am. Ellie and Greg, on the other hand, are staying in a very cheap hotel on the outer edges of civilisation. I feel guilt-ridden. This is SO wrong, considering Greg is the one putting all the work in.
“You could always swap,” Greg suggests.
I like the look of Durrants – imposing, yet somehow friendly, with its Georgian charm and waving union flag. There’s something delightfully old-world about it: one of the proud last of its kind - a rare privately owned hotel in the great British capital.
Daniel Harper, long-time manager, greets us warmly at reception.
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Cotswold Life.
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Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Cotswold Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gloucestershire After The War
Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display
Mr Ashbee would approve
In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown
The Cotswolds at war
These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable
Trust in good, local food
‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’
Why Cath is an open book
Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8
From the Cotswolds to the world
Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.
The Wild Hunt
In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors
Final journey
Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains