This is my alternative to going to the newly reopened pub at 5.00. I sit in the shade of this ancient tree in Abbey Green and drink coffee from the old-style cafe, served by young women (definitely not wenches) dressed in neat black uniforms. The cafe includes the word Shoppe in its title, which I know is only to please tourists, but it pleases me too.
This is currently my favourite place in the city centre.
New blogger keeps cropping my photos on the right side. That I don't like.
ReplyDeleteLook at the girth on it !!! Do you know how old it is ? .... and what a lovely place to sit ..... very peaceful. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI am told it was planted in 1793 Jack@.
DeleteCity centre living is nice for that sort of thing. I miss that out in the country. It looks a pleasant spot.
ReplyDeleteThere are many places in London which have the same peaceful atmosphere too. Fountain Court is a great one.
DeleteI see a face in that tree.
ReplyDeleteA big one?
DeleteI can see two faces, a big one and a smaller one
DeleteWhat type of tree is it? I love big old trees that have survived despite the world growing up around them. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteIs it a bird? Is it Superman? No, it's a Plane.
DeleteThis is a wonderful place to spend quiet moments.
ReplyDeleteToady there was an American busker underneath it with a very loud, amplified guitar.
DeleteToday, not Toady. No insult intended
DeleteThe end of the day, when the tourists are going home, is often the nicest time.
ReplyDeleteThey were there in force today. I went home before them.
DeleteSuch a beautiful tree! To sit there under it, watching people, drinking coffee - a very nice way to spend your time.
ReplyDeleteJust watching ‘ Opening up The Soane ‘ on London Live .... the story of the restoration of Sir John Soane’s Museum filmed over six years ..... really interesting. Thought you would like it but you might have seen it. XXXX
ReplyDeleteNo, I will look for it.
DeleteLove it
ReplyDeleteI thought you were on holiday?
DeleteSimply bliss...
ReplyDeleteJo
Indeed.
DeleteMary Shelley would have looked at the same tree.
ReplyDeleteYes, but it would have been much smaller.
DeleteI suppose I need not have made that observation. Her Aunt was falsely accused of stealing ribbon from a shop in Abbey Green, but maybe you knew that.
DeleteNo, I am thinking of Jane Austen. You are right. Mary Shelley wrote most of Frankenstein about 50 yards away from this tree.
DeleteI find the life of Mary Shelley of far more interest than that of Jane Austen.
DeleteGod yes!
DeleteMuch prefer the thought of you sitting in dappled sunlight in the square with a coffee that in the pub with that bald bloke.
ReplyDeleteBoth activities have their charms.
DeleteThere are faces in the bark, when I enlarge. And all the burls! Well, the faces aren't off limits.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get right up to it you realise how much other life the tree is supporting. Lots of spiders and other insects - even other plants.
DeleteA lovely little enclave, I remember a shop there where you could get all things of a wizardry nature and puzzles to, just right for presents.
ReplyDeleteI think that might be the blue shop in the photo or the one next door. I don't know about wizardry, but there are practical jokes and other bits of tat. If you want real wizardry you need to go to Glastonbury.
DeleteLooks a lovely spot for a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteIt is Weave.
DeleteThat is amazing. Mary Shelley! Frankenstein! How lucky you are.
ReplyDeleteYes, we sometimes get pilgrims coming here and there was a Frankenstein walking tour planned before Covid. Sadly, the house where she wrote most of the book was demolished to make way for the Roman Baths excavation, but there is one shop here which was the house she wrote part of it when stranded during a thunderstorm. You can try on new clothes in the room she used.
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