Today – 21 December

Out of the city today. Tube  to Moorgate and then the train to Hertford to visit Mum’s cousin Jane and husband David. Lunch and lots of family natter. We forgot to take the obligatory photo so dear reader you get to voyage into the family album. In the photo to the left there is my great grandmother Jane Tomkins, great aunt Hilda, great great aunt Rose, great aunt Kathleen (Jane’s motther), my grandmother Gladys and great aunt Doris.  Doris died young at 88, Gladys at 97, Hilda at 98 and Kathleen at 101. That’s 384 years between them. Anyway, as I’ve said before its always good to catch up with family. Haven’t seen Jane and David for two years but so easy to just pick up.

Yesterday – 20 December.

Onto the tube and over to the City for the first time. Off at Farringdon Station. A wander over to the Temple Church. It was built in the late 12th century by the Knights Templar. Special for being a round church and some great 12 century effigies. It was damaged in 1941 but has been beautifully restored.

Then it was off to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. It was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 but there has been a pub on the site since 1538. There to have lunch with Dillion Williams a former student from Upper Hutt College. A good Jackson House stalwart of course. He now works at the Ritz Hotel. So good to catch up with another student who is doing interesting things. We followed lunch with a walk across the Millenium bridge, along Southbank, across Westminster Bridge and up to Trafalgar Square.

In the evening we went to the Book of Mormon. If you’re likely to be offended by religious references, language, sexual references etc you shouldn’t go. We thought it was great!

The day before yesterday – 19 December.

Caught the 74 bus from Baker Street to Kensington for a little cultural experience. First stop Harrods. On the whole the shop doesn’t cater for our demographic. Most things are targeted at those with vastly greater amounts of money than we are familiar with. But we did spot what I was looking for.

So then it was up the road to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Police choir singing Christmas Carols above the main entrance. A bite to eat in the cafe and then up to do a survey of the third floor which includes stunning metal work nd some rather glorious jewellery from across the ages. Got  a photo of a 1st century Irish torc before I was told you couldn’t take photo in the jewellery section. Also some of the religious artworks including intricate 12 – 13th century silver and gold work.

Then back to Harrods to complete purchase and home.