Travel Report: Thoughts of the day from Tooting Bec Station, London.

May 2019. Whenever I set off on my days of London exploring the journey invariably starts here at Tooting Bec Station, my local underground stop. Situated on the northern line between Balham and Tooting Broadway, the station was designed by legendary London Underground architect Charles Holden and opened its doors in 1926. The station’s location is fantastic; no matter where I’m heading in London it always seems to be a twenty-minute shoot, including changes.

Thought of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

May 2019. Another reason I have such a soft spot for Tooting Bec Station is that I always get to check in with their Thought of the day (sometimes  presented as Quote of the day) before I scan my Oyster card and disappear down the steps.

Thought of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

May 2019. I have no idea who’s responsible for scribbling down these thoughts and quotes, which range from Mark Twain, Albert Einstein and Zig Ziglar to J.K. Rowling, John Lennon, Eddie Izzard and, well anyone really. Sometimes there’s a good old fashioned anon accreditation, while I’ve also seen a few where there’s literally nothing to indicate from where said nuggets of wisdom originated.

Quote of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

Thought of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

I have a famously short patience when it comes to people bandying fridge magnet wisdom around social media under the guise of so-called inspirational quotes. Somehow it all seems so disingenuous. But at Tooting Bec Station there’s something charming about these boards where, if you so please, you can check in and inject yourself with the day’s musings before jumping on your train and disappearing off into the details of your day.

Thought of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

A part of me likes to think that the guy behind the ticket counter has adopted this as his own personal project. A labour of love if you will. Or maybe he’s simply been ordered to do it by the underground powers that be and sees it as nothing more than a tedious daily chore. I mean, who knows.

Thought of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

All I can say with certainty is that Tooting Bec station’s thoughts and quotes of the day have become an integral part of my London routine as I scurry around visiting the sights destined to end up on these pages. Long may this endearing tradition continue!

Quote of the day – Tooting Bec Station, London.

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