A capital time for all on our September London weekend
SITTING here in the garden as the sun goes down, with the crickets having a party all around us and joining in with the music coming out through the dining room windows, it feels like summer at last. Weve just eaten roast chicken salad with fresh beans, cheese and Tims cider and the girls, all home together again, are washing up. Mum is in a reflective mood.
A week ago, when Cherry, Abi and Beth finished their various school years, we all piled into the car and headed downtown.
The headmaster of the local junior school was retiring after he and his wife had been living and working at Notre Dame for the past 35 years. It was quite an event, invitations went out to staff and pupils past and present and the playground was full.
His current class sang a song, as did the teachers, and there was a procession of pupils, at least one from each year that Mr Simon had taught, including our three, carrying an old-fashioned slate with their name and year on it. Strung up along the wall were the class photos with one each of Abi (5) and Beth (3) in the "maternelle" taken, if I remember correctly, on their second day at their new school in France when they couldnt speak a word of French. Cherry made disgusted comments about the clothes she was wearing in her junior class (aged 7) but as, at that time I had no washing machine (nor cooker, fridge or any other normal kitchen appliance, bar a kettle) it really was the least of my problems, and, as my French was practically non-existent I hadnt know the photographer was coming that day anyway.
Much of this was remembered and commented on last week as we bumped into friends (other parents) we had met at the time who had done all they could to help, in spite of the obvious language barrier. It was daunting then, it seems funny now.
The week before Mr Simons retirement Tim and I went to collect Cherry from Paris. She has just finished her first year at the Sorbonne (the "sore bum" Tim calls it!) and we wanted to visit. Disappointingly the lecture theatres were locked.
Cherry said she remembers nothing of her first lecture, she spent the whole time gazing around the amphi-theatre with its wooden engravings and beautiful paintings – well have to go back again to see them. As the children had been our main worry when we moved here, while we stood in the courtyard looking around we felt that in fact they have been very lucky with the opportunities they have had.
My English class in town has finished too, and after the last one we all went out for a meal. Mrs Simon comes as does our landlady Mrs Dufresne, and we went to a local English-run vegetarian restaurant for a Mexican night!
A capital time for all on our September London weekend
BE dazzled by diamonds or spooked by bats on our super September weekend in London, writes Jean Howells.
The Crown Jewels are an essential part of a visit to the Tower of London and Im sure bats swoop around the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. A visit has been arranged so why not join us?
Accommodation is booked at the Clarendon Hotel, Blackheath for Friday and Saturday night – Sept 24 and 25. On Saturday we shall travel by boat along the River Thames from Greenwich Pier to the Tower of London so the afternoon can be spent exploring this magnificent medieval English Palace guarded by Beefeaters since the 14th century.
After touring the tower you will be free to venture into the West End and perhaps get tickets for a show from Leicester Square late bookings kiosk or enjoy an evening meal in one of the delightful open air cafes in Covent Garden.
Blackheath can be reached by train from London Bridge and there are many restaurants in Blackheath village. The railway station is 10 minutes walk from the hotel, which has a spacious restaurant overlooking the gardens.
Sunday will be more leisurely, spent in the Royal Park at Greenwich where you can cross the Meridian line where time begins. The Old Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Queens House, the Rangers House, the Cutty Sark and the Fan Museum are all worth a visit. In fact, a weekend is not long enough but its a start. As Dr Johnson said: "He who is tired of London is tired of life."
The cost for FWC members and their partners is £95 per person. Other readers are welcome to join us for £105 per person. This includes:
• Two nights bed and breakfast at the Clarendon Hotel, Blackheath (based on two sharing)
• Boat fare from Greenwich and entrance to the Tower of London
If you would just like to visit the Tower for the day and join our group tour please telephone Jean Howells 0181-652 4927.
Farm Womens Club
This informal friendship club has more than 60 groups nationwide and is open to all female readers of FW.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Sat, Jul 24, 12 for 12.30pm. Meet at Wildfowler Inn, Greyabbey for lunch followed by visit to Mt Stewart House and Gardens or antique shops in Greyabbey. Contact Sheena Birch (012477-28030).
SHROPSHIRE-OSWESTRY
Mon, Jul 26, 7.30pm. Visit to the Melangell Cancer Self Help Centre, Pennant, Melangell, Llangynog Prieso for talk by Rev Evelyn Davies. Meal at Stumble Inn, Bwlch-y-Cibau to follow. Contact Sheila Pickstock
(01938-500368).
SHROPSHIRE-SOUTH
Thur, Jul 29, 3pm. Meet at Culmington village hall for a cookery demonstration. Contact Edna Lewis (01588-660328).
SOMERSET-MENDIP
Thur, Jul 29, 7.30pm. Whist Drive at Kilmersden village hall. Contact Mrs C.Cradock (01761-437203).
FWCSeptember London weekend
Please reserve a twin/double room for the nights of Fri 24 and Sat 25 September for bed and breakfast only
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Closing date for this offer is Aug 1