August in London

September 01, 2022

We enjoyed our house sit for a week in Battersea- only a 20 minute walk from Jade and Sam's flat. We only had an indoor kitten to care for - who escaped outside once, which raised my blood pressure but luckily I retrieved her from behind a wee shed!!

During our stay we visited James and Maggie who had stayed with us as guests at Penhaven Farm Stay. They live south of London in Winchester. We trained to them and enjoyed a day seeing sights of Winchester. The cathedral and it's stunning mosaic stain glass window, which was broken fragments of the original stain glass window destroyed at the end of the English civil war (1642-1651) and locals secretly collected stored and repaired the window. Also saw Arthur's Round Table. Plus a look at the 2 acre community fruit and vegetable farm that Maggie is a member of 100 members who all give 10 hours gardening a week to provide fruit and vegetable for their families all year round - 250 people. Organically grown and has been going for 10 years - it was so organised and impressive!

It was lovely to have many outings with Jade into central London both sight seeing and reminiscing. I'm not a fan of big cities and crowds - can't believe 35 years ago I loved the crowds!

We got around by bikes. Paul bought one for £50 and Jade and I hired bikes for £2 for 24 hours. But you had to return the bike into a bike station before 30 minutes was up to not be charged more, then get another one out for another 30 minutes for no extra charge😆 Was fun! There are bike stations all over London, each with around 20 bikes! Nicknamed Boris Bikes as it was his instigation for the bike hire system in the city.

We visited Pauls first pub job in London - Salisbury, and of course had a drink.

We visited my flat at 8 Sandwich Street, Russell Square, which is now a place for parents to stay when have a child in hospital and my local down the road - Norfolk Arms, of course had a drink. Jade also took us along to an impromptu comedy show - was full of laughs!

Jade gave us a good kiwi challenge. She found on a group site a solid wooden shelving for free that she wanted - a 45 minute walk from her place across the river. We accepted the challenge but it would not of been doable without Paul's bike - a VERY heavy unit. It sure gave the locals some amusement!?

We went through to Loughborough for a weekend to watch Jade compete in the England's Men's and Mixed Netball Nationals - was fantastic to watch her in action as team captain and on the court, yes proud parents! Her team got 6th out of 12 teams, so a good mix of games.

While in Loughborough we came across where the bells for Talskiddy Church were made (where my Cornwell cousin's ring bells). Was great as one of the churches big bells has my cousin's name on it (Alan Rodliffe) as he was head of bellringers at the time of one of the bells recasting in 1969.

Also the Ladybird books (us 'younger' people remember these books) were printed in Loughborough - finishing in 1999. Came across cute book chairs in acknowledgement of this.

We had a lovely afternoon and early evening meal at Jade's boyfriend Sam's family home with Jade, Sam, his parents, grandparents and sister. Nice to meet her London family.

We have been so fortunate to be able to stay on at our Battersea House sit with the owners for the last 10 days before we head to Portugal. Cooked a few meals and entertained their gorgeous 6 year old son, Ollie, plus dropping him off and collecting from school care for a few days.

Have had a few lovely catch ups with our niece Tessa and Chris who are over here for a short time. Had a few meals together and tonight we are off to see Shit-faced Shakespeare with them and Jade and Sam in Leicester Square - could be entertaining!!??