The weekend passed really quickly. In a flash of work and unpacking, it is suddenly Monday. I did find a moment to wander down to my new local library which is rather quite lovely. It is quite literally around the corner, and you can either choose to walk past a lovely little cafe or a pretty fabric shop on the way.

The library is small, but cosy. It has a futuristic machine right smack-bang in the middle of the shelves that works a bit like self-checkout; you put your books down in a pile, it scans them all at once, and suddenly you are presented with a printed receipt that tells you (a) you are entitled to take out 12 books at once, (b) you only need to bring your chosen books back in three weeks' time and (c) you have a nice a day, now.


While browsing the knitting shelves, as you do, I happened upon this: Tech Knits, from Retro to Space Rockets. Tempting, and very apt considering their method of book-checkout. Retro and Space Rockets earns this library my vote.

I left with a stack of bird books for a series of drawings I'm working on, and an armful of inspirational books for stitching and home-making. I judged them all by their covers. I didn't take out a single novel or "thinking book". It was all quite liberating.

Food, for me, is a celebration of your senses . It is an edible form of art that delights your sight, your smell, your taste, your touch - and sometimes, even your ears as you crunch (or dine in a Heston Blumenthal restaurant).

I'm not really a beans-on-toast kind of girl.That's not to say that beans-on-toast doesn't have a very special place in the culinary world (in our house, it falls under "comfort food" or "I'm too tired to cook and this is what you're getting for dinner" food); it's just that I'd be infinitely happier cooking straight from fresh produce than from something that came out of a can.



And that's what it's all about: the happiness of food. The specialness of food.

And that's what I love about Tina Bester, and her books.

My lovely friend Anne sent me Tina's latest book all the way from Sunny South Africa, where Tina works as the Queen of Tarts.

St Mary-le-bow is the home of the Bow Bells, so says my book of London Lore.






















The Bow Bells are quite an audible landmark here. John Minsheu is quoted in the OED as having defined a Londoner as someone "who is born within the sound of Bow Bells". That was way back in 1671. I wasn't born within the sound of the bells, but I distinctly remember the name - after a bit of reading, my persistent memory can be attributed to my fondness for rhymes and jingles. That's because The Great Bell of Bow is one of the big 'uns in the nursery rhyme oranges and lemons.

And so, last week, the East End WI visited St Mary-le-Bow to marvel at its architecture, to admire the bell, and to take tea in the crypt.

















As you do.






















We enjoyed sourdough toast and tea/coffees various at The Cafe Below St Mary-le-Bow. The service was a bit slow, but the atmosphere is rather lovely and the company was excellent.

Colleen, you should know, is rather brilliant. Our coffee morning included an expedition to the Guildhall Library where she had arranged for Peter Ross, head librarian and foodie extraodinaire, to take us through the library's extensive cookery book collection and history.

















We oohed and aahed.

















We learnt.

By the by, I particularly love this picture. Beware Pedestrians.

















We zipped through the nation's history of cookery books. We touched well-loved pieces of history. I learnt about Eliza Acton (I had encountered her as a poet, but never as an expert on household management and cooking!) and Mrs Marshall's Ices.

















I think all cookbooks should include a section on Whip Syllabubs.

















After our fabulous and fascinating talk on cookery books old and new, we were allowed down into the depths of the archives. Oh, how I miss the smell of archives and old books!

There were some amazing titles down there.






















This particular book included recipes for love potions, powders and philtres as well as aromatic oils and waters, and the recipes for famous cosmetics. A modern book of secrets!

I'm really really enjoying my little work vacation. One week left: I plan on doing a lot of sewing.