When we started this I was focusing a January plan for more exercise and fresh air. Even though our walks are getting longer and more energetic, it turns out that is the easy chat and the friendship which is transforming my world. I couldn't even tell you what we talk about, but by the end of the day the world is set to rights and I am motivated, free of frustrations and full of plans.
This week we walked from Kings Cross to Mile End, and clocked up about ten miles - our longest walk yet. We made an early stop at the heart wrenching Threads of Feeling exhibition at The Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury and marvelled at the emotion that such old, faded scraps of fabric can evoke. We carried on south through Holborn to Aldwych and then turned east down Fleet Street to walk towards the City. We ate lunch in my favourite spot - the rose garden at the back of St Paul's Cathedral - and then left the City through Aldgate and immediately felt that we were back on our home turf of the East End.
Outside The Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury
The Royal Courts of Justice
Beautiful owl-like tiles at Lloyd's Bank in the Strand
The very old Cock Tavern in Fleet Street - it dates from 1549
St Bride's Church in Fleet Street
The gherkin at St Mary Axe
The East India Arms in Fenchurch Street
"In recognition of a benevolent life" - what a wonderful epitaph
Leaving The City at Aldgate
Beautiful frocks in a dress shop at Whitechapel
Whitechapel Bell Foundry
The air ambulance taking off from the Royal London Hospital
Trinity Green almshouses down the Mile End Road
Next week is half term and the children will all be coming along on our walk - there are already mutterings of discontent from the three pre-teen boys we have between us, but we are ignoring them because we are older and wiser than them and we know they'll enjoy their day out as much as we will!
Thanks for sharing. I bet when the children are together they will have a great time and wont realise how far they have walked when they start talking together and spotting things.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to the Foundling Museum tomorrow - really looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I could be walking so much around London too! It's beautiful to walk around here too (I love walking) with surrounding mountains everywhere, but I could easily do a swap!
ReplyDeleteOh, the envy. If only I could be motivated, free of frustrations and full of plans.
ReplyDeleteWalking is good for the soul isn't it? I did four miles on my own today and came back motivated to sew!
ReplyDeleteMy friend's mother has worked collating all the tokens left by mothers with their babes at the Foundling Hospital. She tells me that the children never saw the tokens their mothers had left with them which makes me feel even sadder for both the mothers and their children.