Let me just say that I was glad to see the end of the working week on Friday. After a dreadful night's sleep on Thursday night, it was some relief to switch the computer off just before two so I could snooze on the sofa listening to the tones of the two doctors on the radio. Although I won't see many of the films they talk about, it is refreshing that a national broadcaster can dedicate two hours of prime time to these two bicker about films. But then they then give Danny Baker two hours on a Saturday morning to talk to the nation about whatever takes his fancy.
But I digress.
We had pasta covered by the sauce Jools made with the courgettes during the week, some nice bread and a glass of wine. And then we settled down to watch a recording of the New Year's concert from Vienna. I feel bad that we did not watch it live, but we were busy doing 'stuff' I guess. So anyway, we waltzed our way through the evening, in our minds if not actually dancing round the living room. And both of us shattered, we headed to bed just gone nine.
Saturday.
And to our first trip to London Town of the year. Our plan was to visit the Temple Church, made famous more recently as a setting for The Da Vinci Code, and a building I have failed to get in at all. So, last month I wrote to the churchwarden to get opening times, and what he told us was that it should be open from 11-5 on Saturday. So, I planned a trip along the Thames into the City, visiting many churches that survived or didn't survive the blitz.
Down to London for the quarter to eight train; the rain was hammering down and so we hoped the BBC would be right about the clouds clearing later. It is always goo to see the trains arrive and depart, so I got my camera out and took a few shots, including the one we would ride on to London, named after double olympic gold medalist, Mo Farrah. And soon Mo was speeding us northwards heading towards the capital and where I thought we should find breakfast. As I had not been hungry at half sx, but was very hungry indeed by half eight.
And so once we arrived at St pancras, we made our way to Carluccio's for breakfast with a (supposed) Italian tang. I had eggs royale, that is poached eggs with smoked salmon; a perfect breakfast, washed down with two cups of strong coffee.
And so on with the show! And first up to check on how the work is progressing on the square in front of King's Cross; is it me or is the work apparently going backwards? Anyway, a long way from being the clean open space that we had been promised; for last summer!
A quick dive onto the tube and whisk round to Tower Hill, and heading the opposite way to the crowds who were all heading to the Tower itself, we were going to the church just upstream; All Hallows by the Tower.
When looking through Nan's shots, I came across a shot of the inside of the church, and so wanted to see how it had been rebuilt after the damage it suffered during the blitz. It was open, and we had the place to ourselves for a while, until a Japanese family came in to, and I was distracted to watch the father try to take shots with his i pad. Still, the maritime history of the church was stunning, but even more breathtaking were the Roman remains found underneath the church when it was rebuilt in the 1950s; a roman road, all tesselated, and various bowls, dishes as well as saxon stone carvings too. All wonderful stuff.
We headed down Lower Tames Street, me searching for some of the other churches a glance at the A-Z had revealed. And a short walk up a side street brought us to the ruins of St Dunstan in the East. Now a park, contained within the bombed out shell of a fine church.And all looked over by the undamaged tower, looking like a smaller brother of the one at Faversham.
Further along we go to find St Mary on the Hill, but find it locked fast with no sign of life. But a little way further up the hill is St Margaret Pattens, which as ever isopen, and worth revisiting.
We walk further down and eventually find our way blocked by a vehicle only tunnel, and so we have to take to the Thames path. At least by now the sun is fully out and the day is almost warm in the sunshine. Of course alongside the river we pass more and more people, which I guess is ok, but we kinda like our own company.
Anyway, it was getting near to opening time, and our destination, initially, was The Black Friar, a fine pub next to Blackfriars station. We climb up the steps from the river and then over the busy road from the bridge to the pub.
I ordered a very good pint of mild, then after checking the menu had a plate of nachos and another pint to wash them down with. Now that's a very fine lunch indeed. And so, off the final push to the Temple Church. Down Victoria Embankment, up through the park, along a narrow passageway, and there it is. I walk right up to the door and push. It's won't open.
I push some more, but it is clearly locked. Another couple also trying to get in say there's was something about a wedding.
Sigh.
Here we are again, outside the Temple and we can't get in.
Back outside the Inns of the Court, along Strand and on to Charing Cross Road to find a tube station take us back to St Pancras. I have another thought, see if there is one leaving from Charing Cross.
There is, and so we take the slow train back home, me, full of disappoinment about the Temple, and just wanting to get home having spent another £70 on trying to get into that bloody church.
To make matters worse, Norwich fail to show up at Everton and although lose just 2-0, the failure to compete just makes my mood darker. Of well, it's just a game.
Once home we decide to eat out, and so we go down into the bay for fish and chips at the Coastguard. We almost have the place to ourselves, such are things in a holiday area out of season. But the fish is fresh and cooked to a turn. We share a cheeseboard to finish, and I risk gout with a large glass of red wine.
It was that kind of day.
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