The Lawrensons

John and George Lawrenson are brothers. John was a General, Colonel of the 13th Hussars, who died in London in 1883 aged eighty-one.

All Things to All Men

Today’s text is taken from St Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians. “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)

Nursery News

The peregrine falcons nesting on a ledge at the top of Charing Cross Hospital laid three eggs this year but only one hatched, on 27th April. They have little privacy as there are two webcams – one inside their nesting box and one above the ledge.

A Visit to the Cemetery

Three words I shy away from are “pleasant”, “nice” and “intriguing”; so I reluctantly admit that I found this memorial intriguing.

Wimbledon Airfield

I saw this plaque today and, as usual, realised how much I don’t I know. The picture isn’t mine: it’s on the Ranger’s house but he was at home and I didn’t like to intrude. 

Nature Notes

No sign of swifts over London but the Red Arrows did fly past this morning and I glimpsed a woodpecker on Wimbledon Common. When I was a child thrushes were common but I’ve only just realised they are rarer these days.

You Can’t Get The Staff

The explorer, Robin Hanbury-Tenison, was on the front page of The Times yesterday. He caught Covid-19 on a skiing holiday and nearly lost his life. Thanks be to God, he is at home with his wife in Devon and will celebrate his 84th birthday tomorrow.

Vandalism

This graffiti appeared overnight. The tag “Koze” originated more than ten years ago in Denver but is also used by a London graffiti artist.

What Now? What Next?

Now the birds are loving lockdown. An uxorious  pair of Great Tits eat peanuts from a feeder in the garden unfazed by us. The falcons nesting aloft Charing Cross Hospital laid three eggs. One has hatched and it seems probable that the others will not.