Leaving London
‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life’
So wrote Samuel johnson in 1777.
But what if a woman still loves London, but wants a different life for her family?
Family Law Barrister Sian Smith from 42BR Chambers has done what so many are doing or want to do – move out of London.
(All photos by Sian)
It was the London Marathon recently and the pictures of athletes, committed runners and fund raisers with a big ambitions, taking on this famous race through some of the most iconic streets in the world, got me into a reflective mood.
Until two years ago the London Marathon was a big feature in our calendar. Not just because of the inspiring nature of the race itself, but because it meant that we could not drive out the small part of London in which we lived in for the best part of the day. This never ceased to take us somewhat by surprise and upend our weekend plans. Some years we watched the race, others we embarked on excursions around the road closures, but for me it was always a thrill just to be living in a part of London that was touched by so many people’s passion and determination.
Now the marathon doesn’t affect my life in any practical way (although I still watch it) and I have been thinking about all the changes that we are embracing since we moved out of London to live in the country side. So, I’ve made a list of the ten changes that most strongly feature in my day to day life:
1. Space, space, space – I cannot say this enough so I’ll say it again ‘space’ – we have it now and we did not have it before – inside our home and outside we have room for our family at last!
2. We no longer get to live and breathe the energy of the city and feel the vibrancy of millions of people all doing life in their own way within a few short miles of each other. Instead, we are surrounded by the countryside which is equally invigorating but in a completely different way.
3. I have the unparalleled pleasure of coming into London on the train over Blackfriars Bridge every time I am in chambers or in a London court. One of the best views in the city and hands down my favourite train station.
4. Sadly, I don’t go into chambers as much and I have to work harder to keep connected with my colleagues which is so important in this legal world that we work in. It is easy to miss opportunities when we are busy – so let this be my vow to continue to invest in relationships and to value the power of connection.
5. I travel more – courts that were within walking distance are now a drive, a train and two tubes. To be fair I did travel a lot before, and with life at the Bar plus two young children, sometimes this is my only time alone in a day. Often I work on my journeys to and from court but sometimes I enjoy a much needed stare out of the window – some things don’t change.
6. We can’t walk up to the end of the road and watch Mo Farah running past in the Marathon anymore but then again, now that he is retired, nor can anyone else.
7. At night we can see more stars shining and in the morning we can hear more birds singing (and none of those birds are parrots).
8. We are close to family and our children can grow up spending time every week with all their Grandparents. What could be better than that?
9. Our children won’t be Londoners (although they will soon discover that they are life-long supporters of West Ham United). Their childhoods will be here in the country and I am so happy that they will be in touch with nature every day.
10. We have a rabbit, she is called Penelope.
I miss London but I wouldn’t give up life in the country now. Happily, life at the Bar allows me to have something of the best of both worlds, plus train journeys; lots and lots of train journeys!
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Sian Smith specialises in Financial Remedies and Childrens matters. Siân is a member of the FLBA national committee (since 2016) and chairs the FLBA’s Advocacy Working Group which developed the Advocacy and the Vulnerable training for the Family Bar.
