To London in the rain!

On Wednesday 4th April the rain and heavy cloud should have kept me indoors - but instead I decided to take a bus ride into London. A 396 to Gants Hilll then the 123 to Tottenham Hale Bus Station. Next the 76 to St. Paul's Cathedral. The journey took just over two hours through some of the most fascinating parts of North London. I did the reverse journey a week or two ago in the evening and was determined to go again in the daylight.

Passing the YMCA in Waltham Forest, I waved at Heather (but she was elsewhere that day). At Stamford Hill the traditional Jewish dress was evident. Heavy rain splashed at the bus windows so you will find that some of the photographs are not as clear as they would be if I had stood on the pavements. I must go back on a fine day and alight from the 76 to enjoy some of the many fascinating sights. The allotments in front of the block of flats intrigue me. And there are shops and pubs that demand more exploration with some magnificent religious buildings.

After drying out in the Crypt at St. Paul's (for the heavens opened as I got off the bus!) and eating chocolate (I need to keep my strength up), I moved into the Cathedral for Evensong. Sat sitting under the Dome, I spied my good friend John with a group from his church who are entertaining some German friends. We were taken into the choir stalls for the service, which was sung by a choir from Belgium as the S. Paul's choir are on their Easter holidays. As John said, as we left, there is something about Evensong that make you feel a calmness within.

I am so fortunate in having a Freedom Pass to travel anywhere in Greater London on public transport and my health. It makes retirement that much more interesting.

Keys

This morning I could not find my Number One Set of Front Door Keys!  It was not a major problem as I have a Number Two Set of Front Door Keys on the bookcase in the hall.

I looked everywhere. They hang on a chain. Each morning when I dress I take them from the dressing table and hook them on my trousers and they stay there all day till I go to bed. I was once caught in the porch with the inner door shut behind me and no keys to unlock the main door. Fortunately I had my mobile so could ring Jean-over-the-road, who has the third set of keys (Heather has the fourth set). If I did not have my mobile, I could have been stuck there like a goldfish in a glass bowl!

I looked and searched but no First Set, so I took the Second Set and attached them to the spare chain (I keep spares of most things, well you do at my age!).

Washed, shaved and about to dress, I took my trousers from the press - and there hanging from the belt tag were the Number One Set of Front Door Keys! I could not have removed them last evening and placed them on the dressing table when I retired for the night. Stupid Boy, as Captain Mainwaring would have said (I am a fanatical follower of Dad’s Army in case you wondered). 

So what of today now that the keys have been found (and remain attached to my trousers)? A week or two ago I took Heather’s advice and travelled home from Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the 76 bus to Tottenham Hale Bus Station and thence by 123 to Ilford. It was a fascinating journey, taking just under three hours, through parts of London I did not know existed. Stamford Hill was amazing. And there were shops the like of which I never imagined would be in London - or anywhere for that matter. In front of one block of flats were some allotments with garden canes of some six to ten feet in height up which plants were growing.

And so today I have decided to do the journey in the reverse. I will board a bus to Gants Hill, then mount the 123 for the hour or so journey to Tottenham Hale Bus Station (which has to be seen to be believed) and then the 76 to St. Paul’s - the latter could take anything up to two hours. I may take my camera with me for there are sights to be seen which need to be recorded for the doubters. I may get off if there is time at one or two points on the 76 route to explore - but that will depend very much on the time, of course.

Meantime, have a good day!

St Peter's on Easter Day!

Photographed at the 7.30am Vigil and Holy Communion Service today - Easter Day - at St. Peter's Aldborough Hatch

Have a Good Easter!

London in the sunshine

Yesterday was warm and sunny, so I travelled into London - the weather has been too cold for me to make many visits to the Cathedral this year. Time to take a few photographs from different angles, taking in the spring blossom and flowers. I try to catch a red bus in as many shots as I can. The spire next to the Cathedral is now part of the choir school - I believe.

I sat out in the warm sunshine and then went to Evensong at 5pm. I now know the score - if you sit under the Dome on the left, at 4.45pm the Wandsmen allow some 60 into the choir stalls. As ever the choristers singing was just great and the peace was good. Often those sitting next to me speak to me, but not today. On one side was a Chinese lady and on the other a young man from Eastern Europe. Both smiled but had little English. I smiled back - as you do.

Heather suggested I came home by a different route - the 76 bus to Tottenham Hale Bus Station and the 123 to Ilford. It took about two hours - but I went through places I did not now existed! Stamford Hill, for example, where the Strict Jewish Gentlemen wear black suits, white shirts and top hats. And the small boys the same. And some of the shops! I am going back again during the daytime to get off at one or three bus stops to explore. One block of flats had allotments in front - with crops growing up poles. I managed to have seats at the front on the top deck on both buses. The young lady on the 76 next to me spent most of the time on her mobile, but as she alighted she turned to me and wished me a good evening. The man on the 123 sitting next to me slept all the way to Ilford.

50 ways to kill a slug

I am getting over my 85th birthday. The many posts on FACEBOOK, the cards, the telephone calls, the kindnesses. Today a birthday present arrived in the post from Margaret - a book entitled '50 Ways to Kill a Slug'. Margaret wrote inside that when she saw this book, she thought of me - and I guess Margaret meant that in the nicest way.

I have started reading the book (which comes in a delightful shade of green, what other colour could the publisher have used?) and am impressed with the excellent advice amongst the humour. On page 25 I learn that there are certain plants that slugs hate - and I am pleased to say that I grow some of these. Mint, chives, garlic, geraniums, foxgloves and fennel. I will make sure that not only do I grow these, but I will ensure that they are placed strategically around the damper parts of my estate. Slugs dislike the smell.

Elsewhere there is the suggestion that you should chuck slugs into your neighbour's garden, but I get along very well with my neighbours, so I will not be engaged in such frolics. No sir! They might throw them back.

I gather that later in the book there might be some recipes. I am not a fussy eater, but slugs are not on my list of things I would like to try before I pass away to the garden in the sky.

Snow - again!

Last weekend we had brilliant sunshine to display the 6,000 spring bulbs at St. Peter's Aldborough Hatch. A week later we have snow. I ventured out at 9am this morning with the camera to are these shots in the churchyard, the shrubberies and my front garden. It was very cold and I was glad to be home in the warm. I will stay here now.