LEWISHAM

I had in mind that Lewisham was in Kent and therefore a long way from London. My mistake.It is a London Borough and in Zone 2 for travel. Waterloo Station in Central London is about 12 minutes away by train. I could walk to Greenwich – if I felt like a long walk. Otherwise that was only 7 minutes on the light rail.

I stayed in an AirBnB property owned by Moira Tait. There were four of us in the house. Moira, myself, Anthony a young Frenchman looking for a place to buy near here and Betty the cat. Moira runs art festivals and takes people on tours to places like Cambodia and the Dordognes. Had lots of chats with Anthony. Suggested NZ would be a good place for him to visit and gave him my email address. Another young man who gave me a big hug before he left. No shortage of hugs on this trip. Even from young men!

The house is joined on to others – the way they all are here. I measured the width of the houses one day. I just needed to take six regular size steps and I was at the next house. Moira has extended the back of her house and done some renovations so it has a bit more space than originally.

My room is the small window above the rear of the car

I have a small bedroom with a TV. Such a shame TV here. They keep playing repeats. So many channels and the only things I have watched have been Miss Marple, Lewis, Murder She Wrote, Midsommer Murders, Renovation Man and Location, Location. And they are all old shows! I heard the final season of Downton Abbey is starting this month. Wish I was here for that.

From the door - it is about the width of two single beds.

One day the squirrel Moira feeds came down for a visit. It was so cute. Loved seeing it close up.

Took some photos in the neighbourhood.

The local posty – who wished they had letterboxes and bicycles like we do in NZ. He didn't enjoy lugging that big thing around the streets.

The curry shop where I got two meals for £11.40. It costs me that or more for one meal most places. The good thing at this shop was they keep the food cold so you can take it home and heat it up when you are ready.

The Saturday market in the High Street. Much like Pukekohe markets except it runs along the footpath. Actually I don't think there was anything second hand there.The shopping centre is right next to it.

This tiny baby mouse was on the footpath. It was alive but looked as if it was cold. I had no idea what I should do for it so I left it and hoped it could find its mummy.

These police on horses looked fantastic. I have hardly seen any police on my travels so these were a treat. I did ask permission to photograph them – didn't want to break any laws.

The view from my bedroom window. The rain didn't affect my travels much at all. This lot caused me to get a taxi home from the shopping centre one day though.