Hello Everyone,
It`s been a rather different day for me today. This afternoon Jim and I went to Mortlake Crematorium to take some flowers for Mother`s day. It`sonly two months since his Mum died but he coped with it very well, even though another funeral was taking place as we arrived there. After that we went up the road to the National Archives so we could do a bit of research into his family tree. We only had an hour and a half before they closed so we had to be quick. Once we`d registered and been photograhed, we had to lock up our coats and belongings as nothing can be taken into the reading rooms. Even birth certificates have to be copies and pens aren`t allowed either, just pencils. I can fully understand the need for security as they hold every record there is right back to the Domesday Book! We were looking for the registration of the birth of his maternal grandmother but after an extensive search under the appropriate year we found nothing. It was only after I worked out that it could have been in the last quarter of the year before so Jim has to go through it all again. We are now both expert on reading microfilm, or microfliche as they call it. It made us feel like a couple of spies...lol! Next time I go I`m going to look through my late dad`s war records to see what I can find.
After we`d finished up there we went to a large shopping centre across the road from Kew Gardens. They have a large Marks&Spencer so we had a good look around. Jim bought a few shirts and I bought three T-shirts for the price of two and a couple of bits for Roman from Next. Then we went for a meal at The Bulls Head in Strand-on-the-Green. Our table was overlooking the river and it was lovely to watch the sun going down over Old Father Thames. We had Angus steak burgers on Focaccia bread with mascapone cheese and mushroom topping with spicy pickle, rocket and tomato salad and french fries...and the whole meal was delicious. The Bull is one of our favourite places to eat even if it is a bit far from home. I suppose now we`ll be visiting the Archives now we`ll be eating at The Bull more often...yummy!
Anyway, I must fly. I hope you`ve been enjoying your weekend so far and I hope to visit your journals again soon. Take care.
Daily Reflections
" As the bee takes the essence of a flower and flies away without destroying it`s beauty and perfume, so let the sage wander in this life"
20 comments:
So sad for you and Jim ,I would be very inthralled in the National archives how very interesting,,sounds like sad day turned good ....love Jan xx
What ? No corned beef and cabbage on a day such as today ? The first few weeks after loosing a loved one can be very difficult. Bless Jim for taking the flowers. I'm going to stop by the cemetary and leave some daffodils on my mom's grave site in honor of her birthday today. Have a pleasant evening..Linda in Washington
Seems as though looking up Jim's heritage has turned into quite an adventure. (Hugs) Indigo
Sorry to learn that Jim did not have as much time as you both would have liked to have.
Iknow what you mean about the pencils and the security for my wife and I have had the same expeirience.
By for now,
John.
I'm sorry for Jim's sad loss, but it sounds like the day ended on a very nice note.
Have a good Sunday.
Barb
Living so close to the capital must be lovely. I never dreamed there was such tight security at the Nat. Archives but can see why. Sorry you hadn't as much time as you neded but it's an excuse to go back! Do you have to do the whole security thing over again every time? Angie, x
Looks to have beautiful grounds the place you went to Sandra.Lovely pictures.Good meal you sound to have eaten Mmmm and treating Roman and yourself again. Well Done Good On you.Lovely Picture of you.I have a jacket like that and I love it.Great news on Jeannette.I was so happy when I read becky's post she did for her mum.Take care Have a lovely "Mothers Day" tomorrow.Take care God Bless.
astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
(((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU)))))))))))))))))))))))))Sounds like you had a good day today.I hope the rest of your weekend is good.
Sandra the National archives sound an interesting place to go ~ sorry you only had a short time in there but I expect you will be going back ~ will be interesting to find out about your late Dad's war records ~ and to find out more about Jim's family ~ The meal you had sounded delicious I would imagine you will be going back there again as well :o) ~ We have just had some snow fall here not much though hope it dosn't last ~ Ally
Never heard of the National Archives but i can guess you'd find what you were looking for.Never really given our family tree much thought.Maybe i'd find it fascinating.Sounds like you had a wonderful day.
The meal sounds lovely..happy Mothers Day to you!!
hugs
Lyn
I enjoyed the photos...what a lovely area...
Sounds like you both had a busy day...hope today will be nice too...hugs and love,
Joyce
That building looks lovely and what a fab place to work ~ are they recruiting lol ~ wish I could work somewhere like that that deals with history in such an abundance. Love the photos and the globe is lovely :-)
Jenny
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jmoqueen/MyLife
What a nice day it turned out to be in the end. Really interesting about the archive office. The meal souned heavenly and my mouth was watering reading about it. Hugs. Terry
Wow looks like an incredible place! Laine xx
Oh how I want to see Kew Gardens! I could spend a week in there probably! It's hard to believe that two months have gone by since Jim's mother's passing. This must have been a difficult Mother's Day for him. Bless.
Love,
Susie
This is a hard day for Jim, I'm sure. The Archives looks like such a beautiful place. I bet it's fun to be able to look up things in there. You look very pretty in the photo! I really like your purse!
Have a good day and give Jim an extra hug.
Pam
Fascinating to think you can go and look up memories from so long ago! That lunch sounds divine also. I love the pics.
XOXO lj
Im glad you two were able to go and do that together!!!
Kara :)
I'm glad Jim could cope with the Mothers Day so soon after his mum's death. It must be fascinating going to the National Archives. My mum and dad used to take me to Kew Gardens every year, mum loved the flowers there and it was a great place to play! I'm glad you had a good day despite the obvious sadness. Jeannette xx http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/
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