We’ve had, and enjoyed, a couple of days not doing terribly much. The weather has remained mild but showery and with some periods of quite heavy rain. We don’t go anywhere without a raincoat. Mike did manage to mow Pauline’s lawn while it was sunny and while she got rid of about 30 slugs that had slimed up her patio.
Yesterday afternoon the kids had some errands at the shops and I wanted to check out getting my nails done so we walked a different way through the green belt to a different set of neighbourhood shops. I am very surprised at just how much green space there is around here. It was about a 4km walk there and back which is a nice break. There even a little stream (and/or stormwater channel) to walk along.

I find the variation of buildings really interesting although they are all very British. Their Waitrose supermarkets all seem to be brick edifices with only windows facing the car park. You’d never know it was a supermarket from the road – well I wouldn’t anyway.

Last night we set off in the car for dinner at a restaurant Golders Green. Finchley and Golders Green are both suburbs of the Borough of Barnet, which is the administrative entity. It was at a Japanese restaurant and was our first introduction to JenY’s dad, Yama (as in Yamamoto which is their surname.)

We parked in a residential street just around the corner from the restaurant. It is part of the Eat Tokyo chain that is owned by friends of Yama and Pauline. They have about 8 restaurants in London, 6 in Japan and a couple in Germany. There are 2 of the restaurants in Golders Green because they were unable to expand into the shop next door as couldn’t get planning permission (of course) so set up around the corner.

The menu is a large album with photos of all the dishes. I’ve never seen anything like it. So extensive. We had a fabulous meal. Pauline and Yama between them ordered and there was heaps, all beautifully presented.

It was a very nice evening and the kids and Mike and I all ate too much. Being used to eating there, JenY’s parents were much more restrained!
Today was mostly wet but Mike, Craig and I had a walk to a local garden centre for a coffee. We went a different direction from the pond that took us past open fields. I find it amazing that there is this farm just around the corner but Craig says we are on the northern outskirts of London, despite still being in zone 4 of the underground and certainly not the last stop on the northern line!

Pauline is a great cook and loves to provide for her guests. Today she had made a low key poke bowl with egg roll and crab sticks for lunch.

Craig’s cards were much improved and he won tonight. Say no more.