Skywriting in London

Emma: "Hey Jus, what do you call it when those planes write something in the sky?"

Justine: "Sky riding."

Emma: "Nope i just looked it up and that has something to do with skateboards. Are you sure it's sky riding?"

Justine: "What did you type in? No, i said skywriting!"

This is the conversation i had with my housemate about 5 minutes ago. The truth is, this conversation sounds very blonde and ditzy. I'm here to confirm this. As i read back over the conversation, i realise how it sounds. However, this is only a minuscule fact in a much bigger story.

The last few weeks in London, the weather has been amazing. Ok, yes we still sometimes have 4 seasons in a day, but as a whole, the moment Spring hit, people walk around in T-Shirts and massive smiles on their faces that just cannot be wiped off. London also introduced the Australian version of Daylight Savings the other week until October, however, when i asked a Londoner what they call this over here, the person replied with, "Ahh, ummm... We just turn our clocks forward an hour. So i guess we call it 'turn your clocks forward an hour'." This was a rewarding conversation. All of a sudden, since 'turning out clocks forward an hour', it doesn't get dark now until 8pm! This is a crazy concept for any Australian!

What am i getting at? Be patient loyal reader, for the point that i will make is such a rewarding thought that i can guarantee that you won't look at another Spring day the same again.. Especially if you live in London.

Now, the trees are blossoming in the parks and soon we will see what the leaves look like on the bare trees outside our house. For months we've been trying to guess as to what they'll look like. We've had guesses anywhere from marijuana leaves to gum tree leaves to christmas tree leaves to tea leaves. Obviously we hope it's one of these leaves and i think you know which one.. the tea leaves of course! What do you take us for..

So picture yourself in the afternoon, walking down an English street with white and pink blossoms on the trees. Some are staying put on the trees and others are floating through a soft and refreshing wind, circling around your feet and kisses your cheeks and the tip of your nose. You look around and everyone you see is smiling and has a bounce to their step. You close your eyes and breath in deeply, catching scents of perfume floating through the air. As you open your eyes, you look skyward and see a sky that is clear of clouds. The sun is setting slowly and the colour puts an even bigger smile on your face. Then something catches your eye. "What's this?" You ask out loud (everyone talks to themselves in London, it's just what you do). This 'thing' that has caught your eye is so majestic, so simple, so out of this world, so joyous. It's none other than skywriting. You see about 16 planes in the sky, making the most of the open sky with the soft wind and they are going crazy. There's lines going every which way!

Now, the thing that makes it so special is as the sun is setting, it hits these lines in the sky and illuminates them like it's a light in its own right. It's a simple concept but i can guarantee that every Londoner gazes up at the sky at one point or another and these little lines in the sky will give them so much joy. It's peaceful and it let's you know that someone is going out of their way to make you smile, even if it's for one afternoon. Everytime you look skyward and you see these lines, you can't help but think that you can do anything! That's a point right there that i never want to lose.

This made me think. Who are the people that say, "Oh boy! The sky is clear, the sun is shining! This is my time to go out there and make all of London look up at the sky and make them smile! Yee Haa!" (You never know, they could be from the country). We never know who the beloved skywriters are, but i'm sure they could feel the weights being lifted off of Londoners and floating up to meet these lines in the sky. 

So the next time you see some skywriting, think about who has gone out of their way to make you smile and maybe look towards the plane and give a little wave, i'm sure the beloved skywriters would appreciate it very much. Here's to the skywriters that give their time, passion and love to the world. Life definately wouldn't be the same without them.

Warm wishes,

Emma Martin