A walk in East London

Finally a day off to take a walk in London. We got out our deck of London walk cards and chose two walks close together in East London. The first 'landmark' was the Wesley Chapel and Museum. The museum wasn't open today as it is Sunday. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, began his movement here in 1738.

Statue of Wesley.

This is Bunhill Fields which is across the street from the chapel. Writers Daniel Defoe, William Blake, and John Bunyan are buried here. Thousands of people have been buried here before it was closed.

We went to a park called Finsbury Circus. This is one of the buildings surrounding the park circle.

In the park was a large lawn bowling area with one guy practicing.

Another view of the park.

A pedestrian street where there was a market in the street. However, we got there about 5pm and the stalls were being packed up. Darn, usually we can find a great treat at these markets.

This is Saddler's Wells, London's Dance House where ballet, Flamenco, opera, and other types of dance are performed.

These are the posters of what is coming up at Saddlers Wells.

I have been finding it difficult to add to the blog as often as I did the first two years of our time in London. Since our trip to Ireland, we have stayed put at the Centre staying quite busy with guests coming and going and hosting groups for a day. Somehow I managed to schedule every Saturday with a group, three of which I cook a meal for. So we haven't been able to go on any interesting walks. It's too difficult for us both to take off during the week. I've been taking a day during the week where I don't do any office work which gives me some rest. The problem is I still hear the phone and the doorbell and it's hard to relax.

We have had loads of guests here from all over. One of the perks from that is we gets invitations to visit them. So we are thinking about visits to Spain, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Germany...all of which we could "Mennonite" our way so to speak although many of them are not Mennonites.

We are having a much nicer summer this year than any we have had since arriving here. The temps are generally in the 70's and cool down to the 50's at night which makes for great sleeping.

We are gearing up for August which is when the Centre is closed to outside meetings but I keep it open for guests. The VIPs this August is our family which is coming the later part of August to celebrate our daughter, Erica's marriage to Adam Bowen. I'm sure we'll have loads of pictures after that event. It will be family only and a couple of Erica's close friends.

Sharon's farewell picnic

Sharon has put in her three years at the London Mennonite Centre working with the Bridge Builders Team and now it's time for her to go home to Virginia. But first we must party!

We walked to Hampstead Heath, a large park, to one of the ponds and had a picnic. We then had to toast Sharon....

And eat!

Of course there must be Frisbee playing with such a large green space.

It was a beautiful day.