This is a historic day. From 10am St Stephen’s was closed to cars and, no doubt, even more traffic chaos will ensue elsewhere in the city. I popped out and took a bus to the top of the street three days ago and took the memorable picture above. Well, more historic than memorable.

Apart from that, not much physical activity from me in the past three days, but I have been putting quite a lot of effort into researching my family tree, having been nudged into it (see last post). Last time I saw my uncle Paul he said he would like me to do him a tree; so I have been trying to put together something coherent. Obviously you can’t get an entire tree on one sheet of paper; so I’ve compromised with several sheets and a couple of pages of notes. Will deliver tomorrow, having spoken to him (and Stephen) on the phone this lunchtime.

The research was interesting and sometimes exciting but mainly frustrating, because of course all the old records which could have included valuable information don’t. For instance, the omission everywhere of a mother’s maiden name is not helpful. Didn’t these people realise how interested so many people would be in where they came from? Oh no, they didn’t. Why should they?

Anyway, I’m now back to my great-great-great-great grandfather on my father’s side, which I suppose is something, though the earliest two generations are slightly speculative. They make sense, though. Nothing really too thrilling, though. About the most exciting thing I’ve discovered is that my great-grandmother was a servant at a chemist’s in Regent Street when she was 26 and unmarried. This also revealed the answer to the question of why she got married in London, when her home was in Northamptonshire and the groom’s home was in Huntingdonshire. So a small triumph there.

Meanwhile the weather has turned very wintry, not encouraging me to go out, though Dot has been to many different schools this week. Naomi has asked if she can stay with us for a while, and I’ve said yes.