And into July - lunches and an auction.

So lockdown is easing a bit and folk are getting out a little more. Even me. I organised a Sunday lunch at Alexandra Palace with  friends. They claim it is North London's biggest beer garden. The terrace overlooking London at one corner of the Palace. It costs £5 a head to book  table (which you have to do) and then you need to download an app to order food. But it was all so worth it. Just to spend three hours chatting over very decent burgers and a few pints. Reminds me what I have been missing!

Of course a more representative occupation for the month was sitting in the garden. the weather was great just about every day OTHER than the Sunday up at the Palace

I also had a nice expedition for lunch at my friend Elaine's in Highgate. Such a nice part of London. And only an hour and a quarter's walk from my house! Ok a long walk, but some pretty bits on the way.

Highgate has some lovely Victorian villas

 The walk took me through two sets of North London woods. North London is leafier than one might imagine.

Lunch was of course delightful. And Zoo Zoo, Elaine's little Pomeranian looked very comfortable in her bed in the garden. Although I soon realised her bed was actually my rucksack. Evidently the perfect size for the job!

 Alexandra Palace has been trying to find ways of maintaining income with the Palace itself closed. So it has opened a drive-in cinema in the car park.

Cricket continues below the Palace

I got a Friday night dinner visit from my mate John. We picked up kebabs from around the corner. One thing you are never far away from in Palmer's Green is a kebab.

My fortnightly flower deliveries keep me cheerful

 While the weather has been generally good, we have had the odd shower. After one I decided to take the camera out

 

  

And finally for this page, assuming you have made it through all the blooms, the entry title did promise an auction. I duly went up to the re-opened Southgate auctions. A couple of things interested me, and I was bidding on some items of furniture for friends too.

Best part of an hour's walk, but again through a Bloomfield Park

 Somewaht eerie seeing the ducks in soupy green water

That is a Shoveller nesting

The pub on Southgate Green, Ye Olde Cherry Tree

Fine example of Modernist architecture - Southgate Tube Station

The auction was a long affair as I was interested in items near the start and the finish. They reckon to get through 180 lots an hour, but there were over 500 lots.

My best purchase was this mirror on behalf of a friend.

And then the long walk back (with a small pair of silver candlesticks - I left the mirror to be delivered!)

Nesting Shoveller