As I sit in the American Airlines executive lounge at JFK airport waiting for my midnight flight to London, I am reflecting on a wonderful day in New York. It's been in the early twenties all day under clear blue skies. Absolutely perfect weather, although exceptionally warm for late October.
My day began lazily, lying in bed listening to BBC Radio 4 via the Internet on my laptop computer. I especially enjoy listening to Desert Island Discs. On this programme, which has been broadcast since 1942, well known figures are invited to imagine themselves cast away on a desert island, and to choose eight pieces of music, originally gramophone records, to take with them; discussion of their choices permits a review of their life. It was created by a man called Roy Plomley who presented the programme until his death in 1985. I can remember his very plummy voice extremely clearly. The opening music, Sleepy Lagoon, is a tune I will alwasy associate with this wonderful programme.
This morning's programme featured Britain's deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. I commonly find politicians to be most interesting and attractive personalities when they are not on duty. This was no exception for Mr Clegg came across as intelligent and urbane. He spoke very affectionately about his Spanish wife and children. He speaks five language and is clearly very well read. I have found him quite iritating in the past, but on this ocassion I confess to having really liked him.
He chose three pieces of music that I particularly like, Schubert's Impromptu No.3 in G Flat Major played by Alfred Brendel, David Bowie's Life on Mars and the delightful singer from Cape Verde, Cesária Évora singing Petit Pays. I am pleased to say I have all three pieces of music, not in the form of gramaphone records, but as CDs. However, I am still the proud owner of about 50 LPs (long playing) vinyl records from my teenage years. I look forward to playing some of them with you. I hope you will enjoy my taste in music.
Desert Island Disc guests are also allowed to select one luxury to take to the island, and Clegg surprisingly opted for cigarettes. I admired his honesty, because it is socially risky to admit to being a smoker. It certainly doesn't fit with his clean cut image. Good for him for being so honest.
I spent the afternoon walking around Manhattan in the most beautiful weather. I don't often enjoy my own company, but I am always happy to spend time in New York alone. That's because you are never alone when wandering around Manhattan. I can think of no better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Now I can't wait to board my flight, which is delayed by half an hour. I already had my dinner at my favourite New York diner, Stage Deli on Sixth Avenue. It's impossible to avoid huge portions, so I am well and truly stuffed. As soon as we take off, I shall recline my seat to the verticle position, put in my earplugs, put on my eye mask and go to sleep. When I open my eyes, I should be in London.
Grandpa Jonathan
JFK Airport, New York, USA
