Doughnuts make a nice silver lining in London...

| And we enjoyed a lovely cloudless day on Primrose Hill. |

2015 England Travel Journal Entry
Friday, March 20

(10:51 AM) Despite the fact that we have to go off for a few hours to pick up some undelivered mail, which at first glance appears to be an unpleasant interruption to our plans, I can already see at least one silver lining – then who knows what's coming!

It was a very pleasant thing to catch our train at Herne Hill Station because just around the corner is a gem of a bakery called 'Ye Olde Bakery.' There is no seating and it is a bit cramped, but when we left it was packed with apparent regulars on their way to work. We could see a gentleman rolling dough in the kitchen, and I glimpsed a photo on the wall of what looked like a younger version of him. I think he's been here a long time. We decided on a croissant (chocolate, of course) and an enormous jelly doughnut; with some coffee to top it off (and to warm us up... it is so chilly outside). These items came to a grand total of £2.60, which means it was a total win because they were not only delicious, but cheap!

Enjoying our silver lining. :)

It is such a lovely feeling to run around a train station with freshly bought pastries and a cup of hot coffee early on a cold morning, and, on top of it all, to actually know what you're doing. :)

(12:11 PM) So, it turns out that our mail is not in the place we spent all morning trying to find, but at the Brixton Post Office. Oh, well, at least we know... Our train is due at 16 past. At least the wind isn't blowing in my face too much anymore and making it numb.

(7:49 PM) We are currently relaxing in our beloved St Pancras Station. We took the load off of our weary feet by buying a caramel cappucino in Costa, which gave us permission to sit down inside. We have enjoyed our sandwiches and coleslaw, and especially our eclairs, all courtesy of the Marks & Spencer in the station, just opposite us.

Costa: One of our favorite places to rest our feet.

So, we at last found our mail! And it was only up the street a couple of blocks away from our flat... We could have walked there. But at least we got the doughnut and I found a skirt at Oxfam by Herne Hill Station. :)

We then got on at Oval Station, since from there the Tube goes straight to Primrose Hill on the Northern Line. It's a 5-10 minute walk to the hill from the station, but at last the sun was shining, warming up the hitherto very chilly London. It's a short hill on the back side, so the magnificent view  suddenly appears before you!

It was unlike anything – it was London.

A sunny view of London from Primrose Hill in Regent's Park.

The eastern side of London from Primrose Hill.

The southwestern view of London, with the Eye and the Houses of Parliament (somewhere).

We had a lovely time snacking, and evesdropping on our fellow viewers.

There was a large plaque with the skyline etched in and the landmarks marked out. But Mom very sagaciously pointed out that every time something new is built that adds to the skyline a new plaque would have to be made. Lots of people were just relaxing on the grass, locals and tourists alike, and I was listening to the two guys next to us who were just chatting about the various buildings, calling one "the cheese grater," while wondering what was taking their friend so long to arrive (which he did at last, I'm happy to report).

We walked through the park to Camden Town Station, also passing through some ice cream colored homes in Camden. While walking, the (50th) instance of my tripping on the sidewalk occurred. Only this time there was a dad with his son walking toward us, and he made a sympathetic groan. Mom afterwards thought she heard him say, "Have a nice trip!" (Oh, the puns...)

Walking (and tripping) in Camden.

One of the lovely Spring scenes in Camden.

Whole Foods is on Parkway in Camden, if we ever need to know. And we will also want to in future avoid Camden Town Station – it was packed with loud young people – but we did manage to find a quiet car at the end of the train.

Getting off at St. Pancras was so exciting! It's quite a pleasant station, despite being hugely large and busy. We zipped over to the British Library, and were relieved to see that it closes at 6:00 and not 5:00, as it was just 5:00 when we arrived (except on Saturdays it does close at 5:00). We decided against the Magna Carta exhibit since it was £12 each and we've already seen the original. We shopped a bit in their lovely shop and actually bought a few things. I couldn't resist the Magna Carta memorabilia! An 800th anniversary isn't something one sees every day.

The lobby of the world's most amazing library.

I can never get over the fact that I'm looking at Jane Austen's writing desk. I feel like I'm looking through time. That makes her seem more real and visible than ever. My other favorites this time were the Spem in alium (the ambitious and unique choral arrangement from the 1500s with 40 parts), Thomas Wyatt's poems from 1537-42 and Jane Eyre. This time the Tyndale Bible was open to Acts 1 and the Greek manuscript Codex Sinalticus was open to Isaiah 59-62. Just as Matthew 7 was encouraging back on our 2013 trip, Acts was exhorting this time, and reminded me of the most important reason of why I'm in England – or why I'm even alive – it is so God can share the message of Christ through me. It's amazing how the words translated by Tyndale 500 years ago are just as powerful today as they were then!

We wanted to eat and rest our weary legs, but it was nearing dark, and North Gower Street – also known as Baker Street on Sherlock – was only a few blocks away. So we bit the bullet and trekked over there. And it was all there, just as we expected! But it was still a surprise to actually see it. There is no 221B on the door, I'm afraid, but it is black and the door knocker is there, as well as Speedy's Cafe. :) It was rather daunting to see a guy sitting at the first floor window, but Mom, who was more brave than I and looked up, said he merely seemed amused. I suppose he's used to it.

"It's Sherlock Holmes, of 221B Baker Street."

Unfortunately, neither of them came out...

There's the actual resident of "221B"

(10:33 PM) Walking up to the gate that belongs to our flat these last few days has really started to feel like I'm coming home. It would really feel like home if we could connect regularly with people – like a church or a branch of the Jane Austen Society. :) If I ever get a chance to stay in London for a long period of time I will endeavor to find ways to connect.

Mom and I nearly had an attack of the giggles on the Tube ride home while reading the Evening Standard article about politicians' clothing styles. It was the comment about George Osborne's rising hemlines illustrating rising markets that really did it. (He is the Chancellor of the Exchequer.) The whole article had an unmistakable undercurrent of irony and teasing – so perfectly English. But that is dangerous when you mix it with exhaustion and caffeine on a quiet Tube car...


© 2015 Anna Morton