Friday 27th September 2024

Woke around 0830 to the sound of rain hammering on the bedroom roof. Bit of a sore throat this morning. Got up and made tea…got back into bed to drink it. Aki reminded me that I’d diaried a guided walk around Joseph Grimaldi Park, so had to leap into action, porridge, and get dressed. We hopped on a No.91 bus to Pentonville, and rocked up at the meeting place on time. About a dozen of us turned up. The park was once the graveyard of St James’ episcopal church, but had been decommissioned in the 1850s. 

The church was mostly demolished in 1980 when Islington Council re-purposed the space as a public park. Joseph Grimaldi, being buried there, lent his name to the venture. The front of the church was retained, and a dull 80s era office block built behind it. The frontage boasts an 18th Century Coade stone (named for Eleanor Coade, who ran the business). We ended the walk near Joey’s grave, where we sang along to a rendition of Hot Codlin’, Joey’s theme tune apparently, a version recorded by the Worcester based Grimaldi Band, and played to us via a small portable speaker held by the guide. It was cold and wet, so we walked to Angel to find a hot coffee. Found a seat at Kipferl, an Alpine themed establishment, in Camden Passage…we decided to plumb for an early lunch, and shared a cheese omelette, and a slice of Mozart chocolate cake. Walked to Highbury Corner, with a stop for a browse in Waterstone’s. Caught a No.43 bus from Highbury Corner, getting off at Waitrose to buy some pastry for tomorrow’s visitors. Spent most of the rest of the afternoon going through The Witch script and noting the musical cues. Made a tomato and onion chutney…warmed up the chicken curry , which we ate with the chutney, rice and chick pea dal. Watched a programme mapping out the career of Maggie Smith, who died today aged 89…what a life!