Page 132 - Through a glass brightly

I’m pretty miffed hearing on the news about how hot it is down south and how you are all more or less getting on with things as normal! The last two days have been as cold and wet as winter and you really do get fed up staying inside. It’s a little better today and we have a neighbours' “party” (suitably socially distanced) to say goodbye to the student who studied in my room downstairs – remember him? He’s trying to get home to Australia where his parents live but can’t get past Dubai at the moment. Maybe a few glasses of Cava will help.
From Jenny at 12.35
I am impressed Glenda that you remember the Gate pub so well. Still there, still a popular hostelry (at least before lockdown!) The Gate pub stood beside a real gate which was either the boundary of 'Barnet' or a Toll Gate. Check with Ruth - she will know. Trevor Howard, actor who lived in Arkley used The Gate as his local - and imbibed large quantities of alcohol there. According to my source (Peter an ex-QE Boy who frequented the tavern) Trevor used to come in and often leave with 1 or 2 bottles of whisky in his pockets for home consumption! I am also impressed that you - daughter of a (Methodist?) minister - would even notice a pub.
Val M's comments/queries about the 'Barnet Bypass' plans - a road to bypass the steep hill (designed by Telford I believe) was mooted in the 1930s which would have cut across that open space from Potters Lane and would have sliced through QEGGS grounds just above the Lower Courts. Alderman Fern (governor and all-round good egg) arranged for some large trees to be planted in the grounds which would 'shield' the school from the sight, sound and no doubt smell of the traffic. After the war however, the plans were abandoned and later the real Barnet Bypass was constructed which missed out Barnet altogether. After all the real problem was the High Road and the narrow bit by the church, not the hill itself.
Sorry to hear your weather has been miserable but sure the heat is spreading your way. It is really too much - 32 degrees. I am flagging!
From Mag P. at 12.35
We have been away! Went up to Norfolk to look after my daughter Julia who had fallen off her bike and cut her arm very badly. Doing ok now so we have come home to catch up and get back into our routine.
It is definitely Meadway by the way and the Gate pub at the top of Hendon Wood Lane in Arkley still bears the sign.
I travelled to Totteridge Station on the 251 and caught the train to High Barnet. Coming home the carriages were often empty and we used to swing on the hanging handles and even turn more or less upside down. I often ran from stop to stop in Totteridge Lane to see if I could get nearer home before the bus came. During the petrol strike, my parents were on business in America and a spinster lady was put in charge of me and our gardener used to give me lift on the back of his motor bike through Barnet Lane. My parents did not know about that for many years and I used to get on the bike at the top of our road out of sight of neighbours.
Sorry to hear Melbourne has another spike, hope we are not in for one now things are getting back, no not to normal.
From Daphne at 12.40
The pub was The Gate at Arkley I think.
From Pat at 12.56
Fantastic to read all your travel to school memories - just one casual remark is enough to unleash a tsunami of reminiscences! But as on previous occasions I have to marvel at the volume and accuracy of what you can all recall, and confess that mine are vague and tame in
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