I had a very productive writing day today. The kidlet went back to school and (even though I missed her) I managed to clear a bit of clutter out of my office, plus take a walk in the freezing cold sunshine. And it seemed to pay off. A nagging structural issue in Under Stone (Ambeth book four) that had been plaguing me for the past two months was finally resolved. Plus I managed to catch up on a few other bits and pieces, which was nice.
I wanted to write a blog post as well and, as it’s Thursday, thought I might post a Thursday Door. It’s been a little while since I’ve done so, though I did have a few door photos hanging around – I think the blogging challenge I did last month threw me a little bit off course.
Anyway, I digress. Here is my door:
It’s a rather nice church door, isn’t it? And here is the church:
As you can see, it’s missing a few components like a roof, an aisle and any sort of interior. This is St Dunstan of The East, a Norman church in the heart of old London. Built around 1100, the church was damaged in the Great Fire of 1666, after which a tower and steeple designed by Christopher Wren was added. However, when the Church was badly damaged during the WWII Blitz, it was decided not to rebuild and, in 1970, it was opened as a public park.
It’s a tiny park, as parks go – about the size of the ground floor of an office block. But it is a magical space, twined with ivy, glassless windows looking out onto modern London, an oasis of calm seemingly out of time.
This was my response to the Thursday Doors Challenge, courtesy of Norm 2.0. For more doors, or to add one of your own, head over to Norm’s site and click the link.
If you enjoyed this post, you can find me on Twitter @AuthorHelenJ, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Plus my latest book release, A Thousand Rooms, is now available on Amazon.
Helen Glynn Jones 
So glad they preserved it this way. It looks like a great park.
Me too 🙂 And it was lovely.
Looks great. It’s a good feeling when we have a productive day. Now on with mine!
It’s a great feeling! Hope your day went well too xx
Thanks Helen. It did. Sorry for the late reply, just back from another overnight camping trip.
No need to ever apologise for a late response, Miriam, I’m always happy to hear from you 🙂 And look how late I am in getting back to you too. Life always supersedes blogs, at least that’s what I think. Hope you had a lovely trip xx
Thanks so much Helen. And yes, our trip was wonderful. Have a great week ahead.
Thanks, Miriam, that’s great to hear – hope you have a good week too x
What a beautiful monument and reminder. x
Thanks, Louise – it’s a very special place 🙂 I loved it.
Hope you’re well and enjoying a happy new year so far xx
Freezing cold sunshine lol
It was! A glorious sunny day, yet it didn’t get much above freezing the whole time 🙂
We’re finally in summer but people here are afraid of the sun…I think it’s the only time I’ve missed CA. At least when there’s no sun it’s like meh but wasted sun… unacceptable.
That’s so odd! Is it because they don’t want to get burned?
I have no idea !!!
It’s almost like one of my ‘abandoned visits’ you’ve been on 🙂
Welcome back and Happy New Year Helen. This is lovely. It’s amazing how the door is still intact. Thanks for sharing it 🙂
Happy New Year to you too, Norm 🙂 The whole tower base is still intact, and there are several doors like this one still in it. The main body of the church however is as you see it – basically just walls. It’s lovely. 🙂
There is nothing like the satisfaction of a productive day.
Absolutely 🙂
I like the feeling of achievement.
that last photo is my fave. WOW those trees are amazing
Thanks, Sacha – it’s a gorgeous place, isn’t it? I took loads of photos!
Not surprised I would have too 🙂
The door left expectations open to see another church but what a surprise monument/relic! A great way to preserve history and satisfy people’s need for more openspace. Hope your new book is equally surprising.
Thank you for your lovely comment 🙂 It is a rather unexpected space in the centre of the city – it’s part of why I love London, because there are surprises like this hidden all around.
As for the new book, I don’t know *shrugs* but I just hope people enjoy it 🙂
Love the idea of this being a part of a park. Lovely:)
It’s lovely, isn’t it? The British do parks very well, I find 🙂
Ah, yes:))