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The first signs of spring in London! Its actually a bit warmer today for the first time this year.

The end of week 6

On Thursday I visited some friends. I wonder if you recognise this lady who used to know you in the Guides. She's talking to her father - and her mother, who was surprised to be photographed.

On Friday morning within seconds of leaving the house, I met these girls who were carrying out a survey about people's opinions and memories of the local boys'secondary school ( except it now admits girls). Well! They picked the right person in me, didn't they!! The one sitting on the fence next to me used to learn French from a certain Monsieur E!

Full Moon.

This was taken from the top of the steps into the garden.

This one is taken down our street.

So is this one but I think I only got street lights, unless thats the moon behind the tree.

More of week 6

On Tuesday I did some hospital visiting and was relieved to find one longer term patient looking very much better. These two lovely ladies are PAs to the chaplains.

7th- 14th February - week 6

This event is an idea dreamed up by a student in this locality. Our church, Christ Church and Finsbury park Mosque had open days, and the shops at Highbury Barn had special offers on.

Week 5 February 1 - 7

Friday morning and more snow - only a light covering this time. These are my red stems (cornus or in the USA, dogwood.)

And here we have the immigrants from Archway -can you just see the red stems in the middle? Can you just hear their comments when they read about temperatures in the FWI?!!

This was taken at Hippo Club on Wednesday. This little lad comes to church with his parents and Grandma is sitting very close on the left.

Church: We had an extremely good time at the Sunday school on Sunday. The behaviour of certain members had given me concern, so we started with a quiz taken from the internet. It was about 'what kind of person are you' 'how do you see yourself'. It was an eyeopener for most of the kids. The behaviour improved instantaneously and we had some interesting conversations after that.

In the afternoon, it was my turn to lead and speak at the monthly service in our local Dementia Care Centre. My theme was how much God loves us. I started with the tee shirt bearing my name which they could read. Where did they learn to read? What else did you do at school? Did you do any Shakespeare - oh yes, most had. Romeo and Juliet was a love story with a very sad ending ( give an outline of the plot) but I can tell you a love story with an ongoing very happy ending! After that we ended by singing Jesus loves me, which they have retained from their childhood.

Because of the snow, I didn't get to the hospital but got a lift to the homegroup in a 7 seater volvo with a very recent reg. no. I could get used to that!!

People I saw and things I bought:
I did make it to South London to visit my friend from Hanbury days ( we both taught literacy). The worst snow was in our own street!
One of the day's highlights was a visit to the craft shop - it was huge, covering sewing, knitting, card making and scrapbooking.
I bought some tartan fabric to take to Mamie. And I restrained myself with the buttons! Because Lissa and CassCass like sticking them I have been watching out for them. I couldn't believe how expensive they have become. Our Careforce volunteer came to church last Sunday with shells sewn to her dress. Someone said 'oh you're wearing your money'. Well I tell you, if I sewed the contents of my mothers old button box to a dress, I'd be wearing my money too! The trouble is they are mostly dark 'sensible' colours and not attractive for little girls.
Back to the button shop... They had some beauties from Italy, one offs that couldn't be replaced, and lots and lots that cost 5p each. I will be going back to that shop!

Televison: There was a very moving moment on BBC's Breakfast Show on Thursay when we had to say goodbye to Sîan Williams before she goes off on maternity leave. Carol the Weather presented a huge bouquet to her. All the best, Sîan, and although I'm not keen on babies in childcare, I hope you can come back soon!
As I type there is an interview with the actor who used to plat Joe Mangel in Neighbours years ago. Couldn't think why he was so familiar! he's doing a west end play at the moment.

Looking Forward: Tomorrow the churches around here are open for coffee mornings for 'Celebrate your Neighbour Day. I think it is local to this area.
Also it is Romeo's birthday so we'll be going out somewhere...
But tonight Julie and cousinJ will be here, as will be our favourite photographer...well one of them!

Candlemas

I meant to do this yesterday - but got so carried away taking photos of the snow and completely forgot until Malcolm said he was going to church to celebrate Candlemas.
February the second is the day we remember Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. They were there for ritual purification after the birth of Jesus. You had to wait 40 days after the birth of a boy and 60 days for a girl.
At the Temple they met Simeon and the Anna. Both of them had significant words to say about Jesus. You can read them in the Gospel according to St Luke chapter 2 verses 21 and following.
There was a pagan winter festival of light, but when Jesus was born he became the Light of the World.
There is a weather proverb about Candlemas.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain
Winter won't come again.

I wonder what happens if Candlemas brings snow like yesterday?

I seem to remember that Candlemas was the day for farm workers in Scotland to change their place of work or rent another place to live. But I haven't verified that as yet.

The morning after the day before

I was amazed this morning to see the whole garden criss crossed with foxy footprints. They must have had a party during the night! Some of them will be Berrycat's I suppose but definitely none of them are human because the only access to the garden is down the steps and you can see that there are no footprints there.

As daylight arrived...

It is still snowing. The roads are very quiet. I just saw a cyclist come off his bike on the roundabout but he got up and set off again. The garden is a real winter wonderland. And here is a brave worker setting out...
Now the Victoria Line is the only one not affected because it is entirely underground.

About 6.30 this am.

The most snow for 18 years! All London buses suspended, several undergrounds suspended, few if any trains into London. Could London be cut of by snow - if not by water in The Flood? We couldn't even get to Parliament Hill this morning!

A Snowy Night

These were taken from various windows last night - top left and bottom right about 7pm, the others around 1am when Ali arrived from Suffolk.