2 October Part 2
Bermondsey continued.... At dinner with friends heard all about Brexit. They are very worried as to the impact on the UK economy. Cannot blame them as the level of uncertainty seems high. Have bought both The Times and The Guardian to read to date. The Guardian, while tending to the left has had some interesting articles about what is happening with the Conservatives. Sounds a bit similar to our Liberal Party. There is a very Conservative rump. Almost seems as if Rees-Mogg (what a name) and Boris Johnson are their Tony Abbott. The Conservative Party are holding their annual conference at the moment so will be interesting although Teresa May doesn't seem to be budging on her version of Brexit or the leadership. Jeremy Corbin wants to nationalise many things and give employees ownership of the companies they work for. The anti-semitic tag also seems to linger. No idea who I'd vote for here.
We headed to Surrey for the weekend which was very pleasant. I think 'pleasant' is a good description of Surrey. Our friends who we stayed with live in a little village called Nutfield. Nutfield features in the Domesday Book apparently so there are a few oldish bits around. We stayed in a luxurious flat in an old manor house. It felt like an episode of "escape to the country' where the escape is of many stars. Wood panelled living room, views from the lounge of gorgeous fields with deer, foxes, rabbits and squirrels bouncing around in front of you. Visited 2 country homes while there. Nymans - owned by the Messell family and Chartwell which was (or is?) the Churchill's country retreat. Both impressive with lovely gardens but Chartwell was the stand out. Probably also more interesting given the history attached to it. Interesting exhibition on his wife, Clementine. Also saw Ashdown Forest (Christopher Robin territory)in Sussex and drove a bit around Kent. Very pretty countryside. Half an hour by fast train to get there so definitely a commuter area. Very lucky to get the offer to stay as neither of us have seen a lot of this area and definitely worth a visit.
Back in London went to the Museum of London Docklands Museum. Bit of a contrast to Surrey seeing the exhibitions on the living conditions around the docks. Museum was interesting but not great. Saw Poplar where more Bradley family resided. Afraid to say but did not look very exciting so did not wander around. Lots of council flats etc. Given how close is to Canary Wharf area would have thought would have changed more like Bermondsey. Could be more interesting parts but given family residences would no longer be there did not see much point looking around. Think they did good getting out based on some of the pictures in the museum of living conditions around Poplar.
Listened to some music at a lunchtime concert at St Martins in the Fields - very talented pianist playing Brahms and Liszt who turned out to be Australian. (The pianist not Liszt). Dipped into Covent Garden and the Portrait Gallery to see some Tudors and Stuarts after queueing for tickets at The Wyndham Theatre to see new play (The Height of the Storm) with Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce. It opens tonight so we are risking it without seeing reviews. In the front row so hoping stage is not too high.
We headed to Surrey for the weekend which was very pleasant. I think 'pleasant' is a good description of Surrey. Our friends who we stayed with live in a little village called Nutfield. Nutfield features in the Domesday Book apparently so there are a few oldish bits around. We stayed in a luxurious flat in an old manor house. It felt like an episode of "escape to the country' where the escape is of many stars. Wood panelled living room, views from the lounge of gorgeous fields with deer, foxes, rabbits and squirrels bouncing around in front of you. Visited 2 country homes while there. Nymans - owned by the Messell family and Chartwell which was (or is?) the Churchill's country retreat. Both impressive with lovely gardens but Chartwell was the stand out. Probably also more interesting given the history attached to it. Interesting exhibition on his wife, Clementine. Also saw Ashdown Forest (Christopher Robin territory)in Sussex and drove a bit around Kent. Very pretty countryside. Half an hour by fast train to get there so definitely a commuter area. Very lucky to get the offer to stay as neither of us have seen a lot of this area and definitely worth a visit.
Back in London went to the Museum of London Docklands Museum. Bit of a contrast to Surrey seeing the exhibitions on the living conditions around the docks. Museum was interesting but not great. Saw Poplar where more Bradley family resided. Afraid to say but did not look very exciting so did not wander around. Lots of council flats etc. Given how close is to Canary Wharf area would have thought would have changed more like Bermondsey. Could be more interesting parts but given family residences would no longer be there did not see much point looking around. Think they did good getting out based on some of the pictures in the museum of living conditions around Poplar.
Listened to some music at a lunchtime concert at St Martins in the Fields - very talented pianist playing Brahms and Liszt who turned out to be Australian. (The pianist not Liszt). Dipped into Covent Garden and the Portrait Gallery to see some Tudors and Stuarts after queueing for tickets at The Wyndham Theatre to see new play (The Height of the Storm) with Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce. It opens tonight so we are risking it without seeing reviews. In the front row so hoping stage is not too high.
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