The Face of Happiness

I'm convinced that happiness has a face.  It kind of looks like this-

Or like this-

Yesterday was one of the best days ever of my London life.  My friend K brilliantly suggested that we visit the Highgate Woods, even if the weather threatened rain.  Notting Hill is currently a zoo.  At least a million people from everywhere else have descended for Carnival.  A walk through real woods seemed a much better option than being holed up amongst drunk, rowdy revellers. 

Highgate Woods is in North London, and consists of 70 acres of ancient woodland. We entered the woods, and were blown away.  The woods became a separate organism that enveloped us in green.  Bruno was over the moon.  Let off his lead, he behaved excellently, keeping us within sight, staying close at our heels, returning when called, and occasionally running a little further to explore and play.

Something about being in nature, "one" with nature, stirred primal feelings of joy.  I wished I was on a horse!  

Afterwards, we lunched at The Woodman Pub, right by the Highgate tube station, where my joy felt even more buoyant, with great friendship, booze and grub.  Ah... the Face of Happiness!