As we continue to find our feet in this country that has changed so much since we left it sixteen years ago, we both received our Freedom passes ( free travel passes for pensioners), so we decided to explore a little further. We went as far as Canary wharf and walked through the lovely Jubilee gardens where fountains tumbled over layered rocks between a variety of trees and grassy spaces. It was a little oasis in the middle of a busy area.
Then we continued to Waterloo and walked from there over the bridge where we looked down on the vibrant restaurant area on the South Bank, and on to the Embankment on the other side . We sat and watched the Eye slowly revolving, and the Uber water taxis and other vessels travelling up and down the river.
We found ourselves some lunch and a much needed drink and made our way back home. Neither Chris nor I are used to so much walking so we needed a rest when we got in
Tuesday was our first really wet day but we still walked to the far end of the High street to the "big Sainsbury's". There is a much smaller S.express just a few meters from the house, which is extremely convenient, but the big one carries a much wider range of goods. We both discovered that we need some better footwear for wet days, but it was a good walk all the same
The rest of the week has been dry and mostly sunny so we have spent the afternoons sitting outside, knitting, sewing and chatting. Chris has done some more work in the garden, cutting down two overgrown shrubs, so there is a lot of debris to get rid of .
Most of the garden is grass and shrubs, but there are a few flowers fighting their way out. One is a shrub with long branches that were covered in buds. Since we have been here they have all opened together so the branches are smothered in white blossoms. As far as I can tell it is from the pyracantha family. The flowers won't last for long but the bees are loving it.
And today's flower is a peony. Lovely isn't it.
The bird app I am using has identified robin's near by every day and yesterday we spotted a pair of them. We think they may have a nest in a tree in the corner. They were very busy all afternoon so maybe they have babies to feed. They don't sit still for long but I did catch one on the swing-chair frame. Unfortunately the two cats who live here also have their eyes on it!
This afternoon we are meeting our new doctor and will hopefully get our repeat prescriptions sorted out . So I must close now and get ready. I will link up with Annie's Friday Smiles in the morning
