Streatham, Part 2, May 18

 Today is Jecca's birthday as well as Cole's graduation from high school, so are thoughts today are back home. Nick is in N.C. for Cole's graduation.
  Pete went out for a 40 (!) mile bike ride. Shirley went off to the gym. We decided on a nostalgic foray for Barbara.

We drove over to 76 Idlecombe Road in Tooting when her gran and grandad lived. We couldn't park as it was residents only, but did pop out to look and take a photo. Then we drove to Merton Abbey shopping area where we visited a Sainsburys and a Marks and Spencer. We bought two little carrier bags from Marks and Spencer. Then we had a bit to eat at a generic Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. From there we went back to Tooting Bec Common and took a stroll.
   The weather was sunny and Shirley and Barbara basked on the lower deck. Shirley and Barbara worked on a Word Wheel, somewhat in competition with Sue. Shirley let the chickens out to roam which was funny to watch. Given their freedom, they choose to lay together even in the garden.
    In the evening, we went to a local Italian restaurant that they like. Sue and Charlie also went. It was a lovely evening.

    The next day was also great...and another sunny, warm day. It was the day of the royal wedding which none of watched or followed. Pete went on another long bike ride into London. We went with Shirley into Dulwich where she joined one of her choirs before they were to perform at Nunhead Cemetery Open Day.

   We ambled over to the cemetery beforehand. What an amazing place. It is huge and historic and quite overgrown. It was not like the manicured cemeteries we are more used to. We looked at the memorials to the war dead (WWI and WWII) as well as strolled through a section where long-forgotten music hall celebrities are buried.

    Then we visited the booths set up near the ruined chapel and got a bite to eat. Then it was time for Shirley's chorus and we went back to the chapel to listen. They only performed a few songs, but it was really nice with an amazing venue and acoustics. Then we all went back to the avenue of booths to look at the plants etc. The plants on sale were all grown from cuttings in the cemetery. It seemed like Shirley knew everyone there! Barbara bought a t-shirt.

    The afternoon was spent doing more sunbathing and reading as well. Pete and Barbara watched the end of a stage of the Giro d'Italia - a very difficult mountain stage won by Chris Froome.

     Then we walked over to Sue's house which we had never visited. (She has only been there 11 months.) It is a charming house and well suite

d to her. We ate a delicious meal in the garden and then adjourned to the living room as it was getting chilly. She then served an amazing rhubarb/ginger fool. Yum.

   In the midst of the evening, Pete and Shirley's burglar alarm went off, so Mark and Pete walked home to check on it. They have been burgled before, so cannot be taken lightly. But, they found nothing amiss and brought the car back so that we could ride home. A lovely family evening.