Summer In The City

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:07:48 +0100

So, the frustrations and novelty that many warned me about before starting the process of owning a classic car is starting to prevail a little. My little Mercedes 190sl was supposed to be tucked up in my heated and secure garage space in London, with me enjoying her in the balmy spring/summer sunshine with the roof down and off to see Tony Bennett at the Royal Albert Hall (yes I have tickets again, as it's rumoured to be his last ever tour).

The English weather certainly isn't playing ball with weeks and weeks of rain and even though people may think that is normal for the UK, we are actually in a drought and have hose pipe bans. The Mercedes engine has also decided to make matters worse and two major parts need to be shipped and refurbished in Germany and the mechanic there is so busy, it won't be complete for another four months. So, that rules out the whole of the summer and we all know how I like things PERFECT ; ) Brisk autumn evening drives it is then!

Of course this does leave an empty parking space in London for the next four months and that, for a petrol head such as myself, brings up an endless amount of possibilities. I just don't think it's right that during such a patriotic summer, what with the Olympics, Diamond Jubilee and London's first men's fashion week, that I shouldn't fill that space with a quintessential British vehicle (can you hear how I'm convincing myself?). I almost think that it's my duty in fact.

Let me explain about my parking space in London (I can hear everybody sighing, but stick with me). It's in an underground parking garage near to Putney Bridge. I visited it to put a car I'm testing for GQ in the spot for the first time and it's a petrol head's nirvana. There must be £20 million pounds-worth of cars in there, from classics to modern day super-cars and such historic vehicles that no one saw me for a good few hours. I think I've found my happy place!

Not travelling like a professional nomad has given me a little time to enjoy London and the countryside. On Saturday, I was at the St Regis International Polo day at Cowdray Park which is situated in one of my favourite parts of the UK, West Sussex. I've never played polo and I'm an awful horse rider (can you imagine the size of the horse that needs to carry me on its back?), but I love to watch the "the sport of kings" and this is coming from a person who is a very frustrated sports-watcher and gets bored terribly easily. Maybe I have just been lucky with the games I've seen. The weekend result? UK 11 vs USA 10.5. The polo is always a wonderful day out and so British. The fashion, the afternoon tea, everyone bringing their children and dogs and of course the English countryside, make for a very special afternoon.

SEE DAVID GANDY AT THE ST REGIS POLO

Not that London is disappointing at the moment. I've explained before about Fulham Palace and Bishops Park just a minute away from where I live and how I adore that area. For the last 18 months, however, it has been having a £7 million restoration. Over half of this was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It's fantastic to see such an historic area and park granted the money to improve and restore some of the original design features for other generations to enjoy. Well done London! Among the new play area for children, newly-planted trees, fountains and ponds, the area that has been reinstated is Margate Sands - a small sandy beach by the water, which was originally designed there in 1903, wonderful for all the children and parents of the area and maybe even myself on a hot summer's day.

Last and not least, like I do every year, I am going to answer questions over the next few weeks that are posted in the comments page of this week's post, so get those thinking caps on and please feel free to come up with some questions to grill me with. Be gentle!

Summer In The City

Summer In The City

Gandy's Goose

Fashion Diary

A Mini Adventure

A Very Special Announcement

Men's Day

Antiques Anonymous

The Bond Connection

A New Perspective

Milk & Mutts

Highlights Of 2011

Dog Days

Question Time: Part 2

Question Time

Rule Breaker

Feeling Proud

Bella Italia

Mr Martini

A New Job

London’s Riotous Week

Summer In The City

Well-Trained

Tame The Beasts

My Career Highlight

Scottish Fashion Awards

Charitable Deeds

David Gandy: The Book

The Other Royal Wedding

From Heaven To Hell In A Week

A Model Diary