London fashion week coincided with my stay. Drinking Negroni’s in the Four Seasons one evening, I was positive it was the French designer Christian Lacroix at the next table, furiously stabbing at his phone, dressed eccentrically in long black flowing robes, with a headdress that looked like a star, and huge bright red trainers sticking out from under the robes. Hoping for a glimpse of Anna Wintour, I nipped into a few of the venues but alas, not a sighting of the legend.

Michelin Star chef Tom Kerridge’s food and drink event at Chiswick House and Gardens was marvellous. I joined the elegant throng at the popular and equally elegant Disaronno stand and enjoyed that Italian favourite aperitif. Later one of my favourite chefs, Monica Galetti, gave a demonstration that made it all look so easy.  

I bought Parsee Wedding Pickle and other goodies from London’s famous Mr Todiwala, a Cheddar with Chilli and Lime from the Great British Cheese Company, three jars of Briscoe’s jellies and a selection of fiery goodies from the Chilli Project. These were intended to come back to Portugal but greed got the better of me and I devoured some cheese with half a jar of Briscoe’s Regal Rose jelly.

I spent a day wandering down the long King’s Road and looked up an old restaurant. Back in the mid-seventies, a glamorous Liberty employee brought me there and insisted we eat on the higher level. He knew a lot of people and the evening involved lots of waving and shrieking. This time I stayed at ground level and envied the waitresses their dexterity as they went effortlessly up the wooden steps, carrying huge plates of pasta and bottles of wine. These are not stairs, just wooden planks they balance on, handing up the eats. Coming down these steps after many glasses of wine can be interesting, as I found. With the health and safety obsession everywhere, I was amazed The Jam still existed.

My favourite London church is St Martin in the Fields, in Trafalgar Square. I was introduced to this exquisite building by a gentleman called Tom Chalmers. Tom had worked mostly in Africa for the BBC. Back in London, in broadcasting house at just the right moment, his was the voice that announced to the world that Hitler was dead.

It was to this church I turned some months into the lockdown, with all travel plans off and no sign of lockdown ending. The online services, music and lectures are a tremendous resource. Religious or not, a morning service or evening choral song makes a pleasant start, or end, to a day.

For me, the standout, the star of St Martin’s lockdown offerings is the Revd Richard Carter’s London walks. It is a pleasure to accompany this extraordinary priest on his hour-long walks. We’ve strolled along the Thames, explored Kensington Gardens, walked down Brick Lane, visited Greenwich, meandered through numerous London parks teeming with wildlife and sounds of birdsong, and got close up with some massive, ancient English oaks.

A tour of the fascinating and ancient All Hallows by the Tower, with the Revd Katherine Hedderly, was beyond wonderful. Located near the Tower of London, it has witnessed 1300 years of history. The building survived the great fire of London and its ministers cared for beheaded bodies following executions at Tower Hill.

Like London itself, I love the Tower. Entering the gate I get a sort of frisson, and this time was no different. On a private visit, in a part of the Tower closed to the public, as dusk fell I saw the Raven Master settling the birds in for the night.

These Nazareth Meditation walks have added an extra, maybe even a missing element to my life. Calling them uplifting and inspiring is not enough. What I get from them is much more than that simple description. They are motivating, heartening experiences that I’m honoured to be a part of.

My virtual tours of London, where I’ve discovered new places, sights and sounds, are, I’m sure Revd Richard would tell me, a gift from God during these strange times.

 © 2021 Jane Shortall for SeniorWomen.com

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