Old. But not that old.

 If you visit the tearooms I will usually ask if you have seen the Church. If you haven’t then I will suggest that you do, “it’s the only one of its kind in the country”, I’ll cajole, “don’t leave without sticking you head in” I’ll urge, knowing that once your head is in you probably won’t be able to resist looking up at the painted ceiling or gazing at all the different enamelled, story-telling windows. 

If you have already been in I’ll ask if you know that the current interior was added long after it was first built? That the spectacular windows and oil-on-canvas painted ceiling was brought from a different chapel in the middle of the 18th Century.

I was having this very conversation with a couple yesterday. I added that before the new interior was brought up from The Duke of Chandos’ chapel in Edgware our church had actually been quite plain. 

“Do you remember it when it was like that?” she asked me.

I’m now looking into buying anti-wrinkle cream. 

Glorious gloriosa

This plant is new to our conservatory. It demands attention because it’s spectacularly beautiful. It’s called Gloriosa, aka Flame Lily. I am forcing anyone who’s vaguely interested to follow me inside to see it. 

 

What a napkin is really for.

 I hope I never get tired of reading lovely anonymous notes from visitors. 

Thank you to whoever left us this.