The day following our return to London we were totally stuffed and resolved to have a gentle day. Morning, post self-made breakfast in Serena’s dining room, saw us stuffing our wet washing into two backpacks and hiking up in the rain to the laundromat where we sat and read while our washing spun and dried. Russ reading ‘Catcher in the Rye’, me ‘On the Black Hill’ and a lady came in who had read both, much to our delight. In the afternoon we went walkabout with Serena and her cousin Charles, seeing a cormorant on the River Wandle (what a glorious name – Wandle) and finding Wandsworth Park down on the riverfront, before returning home for a rest. Dinner at The Cat’s Back (I think) and an early night.
Monday 24th. Having found out the best route to East Putney underground station we walked up Oak Hill Road and caught the tube to the Barbican in order to visit the tucked-away-out-of-sight Priory Church of St Bartholomew, founded in 1123AD. Dark, squat, almost crypt-like, very evocative, established by the man who also founded adjacent St Bart’s Hospital. Inside we were approached by a tall, thin man asking very politely if we could spare any money. Russ talked with him and he shared his story. An intelligent, articulate man, old beyond his years. Nearby a Damien Hirst sculpture covered in 24-carat gold leaf. Huh? Russ asked if he could photograph the man’s hands. Outside the hospital, plaques commemorating Wat Tyler’s death in 1381 following the ‘Great Rising’ and the execution of Scot William Wallace (see the Stirling posts). Sobering all round.
We crossed Smithfield Market (business complete for the day) and called into the Museum of London. Wonderfully informative but we only had a taste before returning to Putney on the tube to get ready for going to my cousin Jenny’s in Earlsfield. Such a fun evening with Tom and Karen, Jenny, Sarah and Steve and Emily. So good to catch up with my UK family!
JaneRussell journeys 