Picnic in the graveyard

Today was a big one for John, another volunteer down in the basement. He’s been scanning photographs, ably supervised by Emma. He’s a nice lad, who’s been working horrendous hours in a part time job, voraciously looking for a proper job. A few weeks ago, he managed to find one.

He’ll be working at Kew Gardens, scanning and cataloguing their old 19th century correspondence for the next 51 weeks. Lucky bugger. He finished his horrid job this morning and starts at Kew next week. And today marked his final day volunteering at the museum.

In order to mark the occasion with all the proper solemnity, Emma decided to organise a picnic…weather allowing. Everyone in the basement was invited. And, because it was a Friday, I could go!

The problem with Exhibition road is that whenever the weather is lovely, any lunchtime green space is immediately claimed by museum visitors. However, a little local knowledge can easily sort that out. Our picnic was to be in the Holy Trinity churchyard.

When Emma told me, I had visions of nibbling picnic food among the dearly departed and various angelic statues. She assured me it looked nothing like a cemetery. She was so right.

We walked down the back streets, passed the various mews and eventually came out at the big iron gates of what, to all intents and purposes, was a park. Trees, grass, paths, benches made from gravestones and various people dotted around.

We were a sizeable group and I insisted on taking a photograph.

Don’t know, John, Leona, Alice, Emma, Kristin, Lucy

We were later joined by Rory and Jennie (the photographer on my photo shoot back in May…which I’ve heard nothing about, before you ask) and had a jolly time chatting about rubbish, eating trashy picnic food and generally enjoying the sunshine and shade.

Sadly, Nick (at work) was away, so he missed out. Other than that, it was a lovely lunchtime, beautifully organised.