“Lady with the Lamp”

Another satisfying breakfast, then David rode his bike to pick up his paper and I did some “van-keeping” - all at a very easy pace!

Today turned out to be quite hot and sunny, but we still went for a walk, so as not to be sitting around all day.

We walked just over a mile across fields and down shady lanes until we reached our destination - St Margaret’s Church, where Florence Nightingale is buried.

I have been listening to a history podcast by “The History Chicks” of her life story. What struck me the most was, despite her fame she was not at all self-promoting. She just humbly got on with what she felt called to do in a quietly assertive manner. Her grave stone was not at all ostentatious, with just a cross with her Initials carved underneath together with the dates of her birth and death (1820 - 1910).
See BGCoffee’s blip for a photo of it.

This bench highlights her major achievements - she was known as “The Lady with the Lamp” from when she nursed soldiers in the Crimean War. She founded The Nightingale School for Nurses and St Thomas Hospital despite opposition from her family, the doctors and high class society.

We ended the day with a delicious Cauliflower Cheese made from scratch by David and baked in the oven.