Sep
23
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My Favourite Weekend – the review
Open House London last weekend proved -as always- fuel for the imagination. We began by the river in Southwark at the old mortuary. Bodies dragged from the Thames came here to be dried out, assessed for infectious diseases, and autopsied.
Mind racing for book 3 (yes I know book 2 isn’t finished) we headed to Sands the costumiers. Can I just say WOW…
From thence, suitable bouyed woth coffre we traversed the short distance to Brunel’s engine house. (Stopping briefly to see
and the nearby blue plaque to the captain of The Mayflower
)
The engineering genius of Daddy Brunel is often overshadowed by the accomplishments of his son. But at least year 8 don’t spell his name Issy Bard King Kong Brunel!
Our final destination of the day saw us end up in the same place as our mortuary bodies: Nunton Cemetery. One of the private London cemeteries – owned by the company that brought you Highgate – it fell into disrepair after the War and was sold to the council for a £1. A restoration process ensued and it is really worth a visit; boasting, as it does, views of the London Eye and St Pauls.
Luckily for us, as part of Open London the crypt was open. With its residents still in situ, my mind raced still further. I was unnaccountably reminded of Silas the vampire’ s home. I saw Mordy holding one of his clandestine meetings in this octagonal ish domain, and I wondered what would happen if an unaccounted for body turned up and where it would lead my noble sleuth.
I always find graveyards a source of inspiration. They give me names, if nothing else. Though I’m not sure I can use these guys! I did wonder if Shakespeare was “kerchinging” friends rather than being profound…
Swiftly moving on, these may be victims of mindless vandals but, as a Doctor Who fan, I have to include them
After the grandeur of the cyrpt and statues, the mini headstones not only gave me pause but -finally -an understanding of the importance of a proper burial to the Victorians. I feel I shall be returning to this in later books.
Nunton cemetery does not boast any celebrities like is posher counterpart. The Music Hall star credited with creating the word zoo is buried under a path, put in when there were plans to build houses on the site.
However
In the current political situation, I found myself unconscionably drawn to the memorial to the Scottish political martyrs: with its reminder that democracy can never truly be crushed.
Again I enjoyed my favourite weekend. If you haven’t sampled the architectural delights of Open London, you really must. I cannot recommended it enough
More than a Cat 
No bodies drifted in to liven up your first visit? (That could be re-worded.) I wonder if the Chickens ended up as headless as the angels?
One would certainly feel a bit of an ass wearing that one costume.
An interesting tour, indeed. Is the tunnel under the river still open?