Routines and surprises

Friday was bright and sunny, and Mas and I walked to Stanmore, had lunch (organic tomato soup for me,) at the Man in the Moon, then went for some shopping.

Mas took the bus back, and I walked. As it happened I arrived home before he did as there was some kind of delay, and received a warm welcome from Salty (this sounds nice, but is extremely bitey). Here is the mean kitty song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&v=Qit3ALTelOo&NR=1&gl=GB

I talked to Diane for a while, and we planned to meet when she next visits the Royal Free. In the evening we watched one of our films called The Edge (featuring Bart the bear) and Anthony Hopkins; we have seen this before, and interrupted it to watch an NCIS. I had a hard time sleeping and only managed about three hours all night.

This morning the postman called before breakfast so I scooped up the cat before I opened the door to stop him running out. The postman thought Salty was lovely, and luckily was stroking him so much he did not look at me which was just as well; I had not combed my hair or put my face on and so he avoided a shock.

The parcel sent by Toby and Romy contained some soft rainbow coloured knitting wool, some bamboo needles, a knitting pattern from Joan and a mobile of humming birds. Some of the birds had lost wings and tails, but Barry next door gave me some glue and before long it was fixed.
We are planning to put it in the conservatory, but where the cat will not be able to reach it! I spoke to Toby later, and caught up with his news.
We watched a Rosemary and Tyme episode in the evening, and went early to bed.

Ticking over as usual

We went off to Stanmore and did a few chores before we went to the Man in the Moon for an early lunch and then picked up some groceries. As it was not raining we did some gardening, and I cut the grass. Later I began painting the Skellie pictures for Pete while listening to the radio.

On Sunday Mas was busy with his website, and I walked down to Edgware as a French Market was being held there today. I resisted the cakes that were on display, but did buy some soap.
Later I phoned Monika and Pat, who arranged to visit us on Thursday.In the evening we watched an old 'Poirot' detective story with David Suchet; they are so stylish.

On Monday Glen, our neighbour called round just after breakfast with some flowers, cheerful yellow Chrysanthemums which lit up our dining room, what a nice surprise! Mas and I did our usual things all day, but had a break to watch 'Diagnosis Murder,' and then in the evening watched a rerun of 'New Tricks' before going off to bed.

Stanmore churches and W.S Gilbert

Mas and I, feeling somewhat stir crazy, decided to have a pub lunch in Stanmore. After lunch we went for a short walk through Stanmore for a bit of exercise, and because I wanted to look at the church which I had only seen in passing before.

In the church grounds there is a ruin which is securely locked, but a notice says that it can be viewed from April onwards. Being curious about the history of the church I found that there had been several churches on the same site.

The first that is known about was built in the 6th Century by Saxons, after they conquered London. The second church on this site was built in the 14th Century, dedicated to St. Mary.

The third replaced St.Mary's in 1632, and was the first church made of brick in England. It was dedicated to St. John and was consecrated by the Bishop of London,William Laud. After the civil war William Laud, who was then the Archbishop of Canterbury, was put on trial for High Treason because he had consecrated three churches (including this one) and it was considered a papist tradition. He was beheaded at Tower Hill on 10.1.1645.

The present church was built close to the ruin. The foundation stone was laid in the presence of the Dowager Queen Adelaide (married previously to William IV, and aunt to Queen Victoria), who was residing in Bentley Priory at the time. This Anglican church, named St. John the Evangelist was consecrated in 1850.

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert is buried here: Dramatist, librettist, poet, illustrator who worked with Sir Arthur Sullivan to write 14 comic operas.

After this we went home for a cup of tea to get warm again.