First rain for eleven weeks: the lawn starts to revive

 

Rain at last. On the 27th August we had the first rain for eleven weeks. And it has rained a little every day since, so the borders are permanently damp, if that will actually help them revive.

The rain has certainly helped the lawn. I cut the grass yesterday for the first time in two months. Yes, there are lots of bare patches, but just to see a bit of green is progress. I thought it might be time to apply some more Pro Kleen Grass Green granules, but underneath the grass are the remains of those I applied at the beginning of June. so that saved me a job.

Somebody To Love

The main feature (with the title above) in this week's Sunday Times Magazine is an article written by Mary Austin, the long-time friend of Freddy Mercury. Although it is to publicise a new book called A Life in Lyrics, it is a fascinating story of their relationship told from her point of view.

There is also an interview with Mary about the book on the BBC iPlayer called Freddy Mercury's Fiancee to Release Book. 

The reason for my post is related to the places she describes where they lived together in Kensington. Mary says, "By January 1971 we'd moved into a tiny flat on Victoria Road, close to Kensington High Street." A stone's throw from Dad's shop, John Buckle. (See post 24th May 2009). Mary and Freddy then "moved to a small flat in Kensington, on Holland Road". Which I must have passed hundreds of times, mostly on the number 9 bus to school. 

Mary describes how in 1976 "We moved into a bigger maisonette on nearby Stafford Terrace." Just off Kensington High Street. When Mary moved out, Freddy had bought her a flat "round the corner in Phillimore Gardens" that overlooked Holland Park. Now a highly exclusive road. (See post 24th May 2009 again). 

Freddy's last house was Garden Lodge in Kensington, "walking distance from my flat". This was the beautiful mansion where he lived until he died in 1991. "He left me his cherished home. His sanctuary became mine."

Garden Lodge is on Logans Place, just off Earls Court Road and very close to St Philip's Church, which we attended on many occasions when we were young.