Singing in the Rain.. but the Wrong Bus!

And very good Greetings to YOU all.

Yeah.. Joanna and ole J-J are in Moscow visiting their son Stephane.. staying in small hotel which has WiFi and WE got looong email from her this morning..

Now this was such lovely treat to hear from her as during her recuperation she has not posted on her excellent Blog, 'La Vie en Rose' for a very long time, nearly two whole months, but this gives YOU, Dear Reader, plenty of time to read all her Posts so that YOU can be up to speed on the life of Joanna, ole J-J and the boys.. she ends up with seven boys.. eh, jurst think .. EIGHT men in one house with one, very brave, woman.

And without her and Debbie, aka Ellie Goaty person, there would be NO 'Parrot Tales' by GeeGee.. jurst think, what boring life WE would have.. no, let us not think such hideous thoughts.

Joanna had, if YOU are a follower of her Blog and remember, knee operation, she says that although operation was only in February ole norty knee is recuperating well and doing work like knees should.. this allows her to walk up flights of stairs AND down again.. one forgets that coming down on norty knees is the worst.. ouch.

Anyway, they safely made their way through Paris (France) and are now in Moscow, going to St.Petersburg. Perfect time to go, fresh, not too hot, NO Mosquitos.. for lots of water in St.Petersburg, they don't call it 'The Venice of The North' for no reason.

What are YOU doing today? Here, in deepest Knightsbridge, SHE was lolling about.. after years of getting up and going to work at hideous hours, SHE occasionally starts HER days slowly, takes it easy, I stick wing up and confess that I thoroughly approve of this, it means more time is spent in thinking about breaking of MY fast in yumyum HQ, SHE had two eggs on MY bread, fancy that, the cheek of it, but then curried favour with ME by cutting off most of egg white and giving it to ME.. so delicious, I LURVE egg whites..

Title of Post is clue.. to fact that SHE went wrong way, to go to wood merchant YOU turn LEFT at corner, SHE went straight on up to Sloane Street, posted Peg's postcards in Letter Box, turned right onto Sloane Street and caught number 22 to Piccadilly, changed onto number 38 bus, read newspaper (most depressing about state of various Nation's Finances) and got off at Dalston Junction.. HeeHeeeee...

As SHE got off bus, SHE felt small pit-a-patter of rain drops.. walking along major street SHE was mighty glad that SHE had brought BIG umbrella.. as crossed over and passed first fruit stall.. heaven opened and God started washing London, North East London to be precise.

SHE smiled at nice smiley Fruit Stall seller and said "washes fruit for YOU", he laughed and tossed HER a Mango, they are old friends.. for, yes folks, SHE was in The Ridley Road Market..

Looong Street Market full of all things YOU do and things YOU don't want.. wonderful fruit and vegetables. PAKS, this is HUGE shop full of every type of body, face and hair product imaginable.. SHE stocked up on favourite hair shampoo and body oil, PLUS new bottle of Black Seed Oil, marvellous for ole gardening hand which gets bit stiff and swollen sometimes, well.. if SHE will garden without gloves, WHAT can SHE expect?

Also has fabric and wool shop whose name has escaped MY soft tissue in head.. diddly-diddly, SHE LURVES this shop, full to brim and attic with fabrics of every description, SHE worked for many years with major Silk Company, knows a little bit about silks.. here they have mind-glowingly sumptuous laces and brocades.. to dream over.

Also within shop are helpful, nice assistants, but best of all of them is Carmen who taught HER how to knit.. sweet woman, so generous.

SO there SHE was.. jurst like in that old wonderful film.. raining is a'raining like Monsoon rain and SHE's a'trotting up middle of street, skipping over giant puddles, as happy as Master Larry Lamb, smiling and calling "hello" to stall holders that SHE knows, stops to chew fat with Vyonne, lady from Camerouns, who sells most extraordinary handbags. YOU want colourful handbag, YOU go to Vyonne.. SHE has had several from her as presents for friends, pretty things. HER very smart week-end 'carry-on' case with wheels came from Vyonne, perfect size, perfect price.. £25.00!

At top of market is one of HER favourite shops.. yes folks.. drum roll time....

Turkish Food Centre... run by lovely Leila. Purveyor of Almonds, Barberries, Humous, Pink Stuff, White Mulberries, Wild Garlic in Goaty Yoghurt, Pomegranate Syrup, Orange Water, Rose Water.. is YOUR mouth watering? And best selection of dried herbs and spices in London.

Fruit and vegetables beyond description, little Cucumbers (sweet to eat), FIERCE Chillies, un-waxed Lemons and Limes, flat Peaches that resemble little doughnuts, POMEGRANATES! Beans of all varieties, peppers of all colours and degrees of 'hotness'..

Turkish Delight.. don't worry Dear Reader, SHE didn't break old Wicker Trolley.. or bank account.. with all these, SHE took jurst few things vital for OUR and our guest's well-being. Smiled 'hello' at Leila and went back out into rain..

Scampered into Kingsland Shopping Mall for couple of items, then ole Wicker and SHE trundled back to Balls Pond Road to catch number 38 bus. Remembered jurst in time to get off on Piccadilly, changed to number 22 and came home.

Oooh, such treats, Goaty Ricotta Cheese, boxes of Humous and Pink Stuff.. what a delicious sight for small foodie like ME..

And I got to sit on HER lap, WE all ate supper together, such a treat, YOU will be pleased to know I behaved beautifully.. no bits of anything on carpet.. I had had treat earlier when Barbara and Peg came home, SHE made pot of spiced Tea (Twinings) and SHE gave ME a slurp.. much to Barbara's surprise! yes, I LURVE Black Tea.. favourite is Lapsang.

SHE is ready to go out and about, I will partake of doze whilst SHE goes to Library and Bakers.. hopefully I will tell you about the Peter Ting bowl when SHE comes back.. the sight of Design Centre reminded HER of The Tale of Pomegranate Bowl..

GeeGee Parrot.
May 11th, 2012.