City Lights on the Thames

Our member Mr. K. Kr Datta reminisces about a final journey with his beloved wife—a trip to the UK and Ireland, through memories of long walks in Dublin’s green parks and a magical evening on the Thames.

Just before my wife left us for her heavenly abode, I had the good fortune of travelling with her to the UK and Ireland. Our son, who lives in Dublin with his wife, flew us down to last September. On that trip, we visited London, Edinburgh, and of course, Ireland.
The weather was extremely pleasant—we caught the fag end of summer. Dublin was green and beautiful. The balmy evenings were perfect for long walks through the city’s many parks. It isn’t dusty or polluted, nor are there bothersome insects, so it really is possible to just walk for hours. The city is dotted with so many green spaces, it often felt like we were strolling through a wooded countryside.
London, though, was exceptional. We landed at Luton airport and took a taxi to a homestay near the historic Lord’s cricket ground—the very spot where Sourav Ganguly famously waved his jersey from the balcony. I took a walk around the stadium, soaking in the history and energy of the place.
My wife was vegetarian, and it was a bit of a challenge to find food for her. We ended up cooking many of our meals in the kitchen of our homestay, and on other occasions, we searched out places that offered vegetarian options. One day, we visited “Chourangi”, a well-known eatery near Oxford Circus. The restaurant’s theme was Kolkata nostalgia, with photographs of Pather Panchali and Durga Puja adorning the walls. Though many of the waiters were Bengali, none of them were speaking the language. One of them noticed our hesitation over the menu. He came up to us and spoke gently to my wife in Bengali, calling her kakima (aunty). He suggested dishes for us, and they even prepared a meal for her without onion and garlic. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture—it meant the world to us.
One of the most unforgettable parts of our trip was crossing the Thames. We walked across London Bridge, took a ride on the London Eye, and enjoyed a spectacular aerial view of the city. Then we boarded a cruise on the river. There was a band playing live music on board and snacks being served. As evening fell, the city came alive—the setting sun bouncing off the glass facades of the skyscrapers, shimmering orange and red on the river’s surface. Slowly the lights of the city came on. There is something magical about a city as it wakes up with the fall of darkness. While in Dublin, our son suggested that we travel to Switzerland next. But that journey never happened. Soon after we returned to India, my wife passed away.
I may no longer be able to travel with her, but I carry with me the memory of that cruise down the Thames—the warmth of the sunset, the gleaming river, the laughter in the air, and the lights of London shining down on us both.

(As narrated to Support Elders by our member)