On my way to the Riverside this morning and I noticed a beautiful house behind a lot of scaffolding that you can only see by peering through the gate. I went down the path and rang the bell. Lizzie opened the door and let me in to a building known as Temple Lodge. The former home of artist Sir Frank Brangwyn, it is now a Christian guesthouse and a church is currently being constructed on site. The house is peaceful, warm and serene with high ceilings, lots of books and natural light, a large garden and lots of greenery. It was completed unexpected to find such a calm oasis only moments from the Broadway and the Flyover. Lizzie was busy tidying away breakfast dishes but she said I could go back at 12 o clock when she would have time to talk.
I met Anna at Riverside and we set off in search of the Anderson Shelter Bob had told us about on Lillie Road but we were unable to find it, despite asking a few people in the area.
We visited Cosco cafe and chatted to owner Joseph. He has currency from all over the world decorating the walls of the cafe, and Bob made the frames for him.
We returned to Temple Lodge and met Alyssia. She showed us two pictures by Brangwyn (the only pictures of his that are there) and spoke about how she enjoyed working there and had not known of Temple Lodge previously, having seen the position advertised locally. She gave us the telephone number of the Priest, Peter and thinks we may be able to visit on Monday. It will be a lovely place to pause and we may get a story too, we will contact Peter to ask if we can visit.
We continued through the snow to The Distillers to try the chips Scott had told us about ... and they were indeed delicious. Scott told us he is happy for us to visit on Saturday and will even wear a clean apron for the occasion.
We met Emma and went to Bob's house in the afternoon. Bob showed us some photographs and told us many stories of his life that were both touching and inspiring.
After the meeting at The Riverside we went to see George, the fellow Geordie on Fulham Palace Road. He had just received a parking ticket but despite this was friendly and upbeat and he asked us to post his appeal letter for him on our way home. He worked as a hotel manager and a squash teacher before he set up his own soft furnishings company and he lives above the shop. He has agreed to be part of Moving Stories on Monday.
We then visited Joseph the Maltese patisserie owner. He showed us pictures of Maltese celebrities that have visited him and he has customers that come from as far afield as Portsmouth to purchase his goods. He loves London but misses the cafe culture that exists in Malta and he set up his own cafe to create that world here. We left with not just one but two pastries in hand each, which did not last long... He has agreed to be part of Moving Stories at the weekend.