Postman's Park and St. Bartholomew the Great

I'm back! We moved into the new flat last week, and we don't have internet yet. So it's taken me a while to connect! Our sea shipment of items from the states is arriving tomorrow (wahoo!), so I will do a big post about the new flat and the move-in process soon. B's working full-time now, and Cleo and I have been keeping busy exploring the city. We found a neat little park called Postman's Park (it's across the street from an old Post Office), and inside the perfectly-manicured landscaping is a memorial to "Heroic Self Service" - people who lost their lives trying to save others. The earliest one I saw was mid 1800s, and the most recent was 2007.

Many of them drowned in the Thames!

There were also sunken tombstones scattered in odd places around the park. I think it used to be a cemetery for the little church that's in the middle.

Cleo's not even a little creeped out

I love little hidden spots like Postman's Park! Another great spot I found, although not hidden, is St. Bartholomew the Great Catholic church. It's the oldest surviving church in London: the standing structure is from 1123 AD. The employees of the church were extremely friendly and helpful (winked and told me I could pay the student rate.) One chap even gave me a brief history and took me around the choir stalls. He said the surviving structure used to be the monks quarters. The main nave was destroyed by King Henry VIII during the dissolution of the Catholic Church.

Choir stalls were beautiful!

The church has a star-studded resume. Some of the movies filmed here include Shakespeare in Love, The Other Boleyn Girl, Elizabeth the Golden Age and the 2009 Sherlock Holmes. I have to admit that one of the best parts of St. Barts is its cloister cafe, complete with beautiful, vaulted archways, stained-glass windows to the courtyard and delicious treats!

Just because I'm in love with them, here's a photo of my first London purchase - a pair of oxfords! Or as they call them here, "brogues." I feel really British now! Cheers!