31 May 2015 - We visit Greenleaf Baptist Church and Walthamstow.

I lived in Walthamstow, North East London from 1988 - 1991 and worked as a midwife at Homerton Hospital in Hackney in the East End.  I lived in a very compact ex-council flat with an American lady, Mary, and rode my trusted bike the 4 miles to work every day.  I loved living in London.  I loved the possibilities.  I loved being an NHS worker who was able to get very cheap tickets to all sorts of shows and music events in London.  I loved my church family at Greenleaf Baptist Church and I was baptised there. I loved my friends here but I knew it was a chapter of my life which would close eventually as I knew I would return to Australia which I did.  I had been living away from Australia for 5 years by the time I went home.  I didn't regret the decision, it was time to move on, but I always wanted to return and show Karl and our children, this part of my history.

London Underground

My old station

Today, being the first Sunday since we arrived in London, we travelled to Walthamstow for the morning service at Greenleaf Baptist Church.  Although I can't say the church is thriving, it is surviving and many of the old faces were still there all these years later.  They recognised me and I recognised them!

Indoor picnic!

Winette and me

After the service, we spent a long time chatting over cups of tea which was so nice.  We had planned to have a picnic with my dear friend, Winette, but it was pouring with rain as we were about to leave, so we had a great indoor picnic in the church hall in comfort and availed ourselves of another cup of tea!  Once the sun came out we walked down to Lloyd Park, the jewel of Walthamstow and home of the William Morris Gallery.

Canadian Goose and goslings in Lloyd's park

 We walked through the beautiful park which had once been home to a medieval moat and buildings, and chatted while Luke found friends to play with in the great playground there.  As the dark clouds came over, we ducked into the cafe there and enjoyed cappuccinos for 1.70 - very reasonable by London (and indeed Melbourne) standards.  Lloyd Park is a lovely haven away from the bustle of the city with lots of bird life and squirrels and foliage.

Mrs Duck and 4 ducklings

Luke building a walled city - playing out the history he's learned as we travel!

Lloyd Park rambles

Always love a bit of history!

Lloyd Park -  a haven in the city

William Morris' garden and a Gum Tree?!

Lloyd Lodge -  a cute house for Cathy!

 Finally, it was time to head back and we walked back via Hatherley Road and passed by my old flat.  It is on a corner block, a new building in the midst of old buildings.  The site on which it was built was bombed during WWII which I find interesting.  Dear Edna, from Greenleaf, who is now 89, told me the story.  She was one of the children from London who was evacuated to the country during the war.

Hatherley House, my home for 3 years.

The lower floor corner flat was where I lived.

 Walthamstow has both changed and remained unchanged!  The station has been updated so I got a bit disorientated heading out of the underground but soon found my way through the old market and along familiar streets.  I felt as if I was in a time warp!