My London+

Exhibition: Raymond Briggs

Christmas always means ‘The Snowman’ or ‘Father Christmas’. Then came ‘Ethel & Ernest’ about Raymond Briggs’ parents and his own growing up. Finally, there was ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’. These are the animated films I loved watching year on year. Of course, they began as books, and books begin as storyboards or large scale artworks. These are what are on show in the exhibition at the Discovery Centre in Winchester. As soon as I knew about the exhibition, I had to go! So I booked tickets for myself and a friend.

This didn’t exhibition disappoint. I had forgotten some of the works Raymond Briggs had done over the years. A man who says he doesn’t like children (he none of his own, but is step-dad to his partner’s children) and who wrote what he wanted to write – again he did not write specifically for children – yet he has entertained children for years. Kids love stuff like ‘Fungus the Bogeyman’, or Father Christmas sitting on the loo! And all the art work for these books is there in gorgeous technicolour.

I’d had forgotten some of the books he’d written, like ‘When the Wind Blows’ and there was the very controversial ‘The Tin-Pot General and the Old Iron Woman’. I’m amazed he got away with that one! For a list of his books see here. And for an interesting article (he doesn’t like Christmas!) see here. Even before these books Raymond Briggs was illustrating books of nursery rhymes. His early days are here too. What a wealth of art, what a range of pictures.

After a wonderful hour in the exhibition, it was time to enjoy Winchester again. It has been nearly a year since I was last here, and apart from my favourite cafe having been turned into a fish and chip restaurant (sad, sad) and the big Debenhams store now being closed, much else is the same. The day was sunny and warm. So, lunch in the cathedral refectory, a long browse in the secondhand book shop behind the cathedral (yes, I did buy books), and a wander to the ruins of Wolvesey Castle followed by a walk along the water meadows, all in good company, completed a beautiful day. Not so many photos this time as I have taken masses over the years.

The exhibition is on until 18th August. It’s a lovely way to spend an hour and be a child again.

Mitcham Common

After spending a week at home it was wonderful to get out of the house for a walk. I have been past Mitcham Common too many times to mention, but had never walked through it. The common is much larger than I expected.

I met a friend at Mitcham Junction station and then we set off. The common is divided by a busy road, so there are two parts to walk. The first section we walked was close to the tram line in places. We found an ideal spot to sit to eat our lunch. The day was warm, and the humidity level high at times. Coming up a hill later, the humidity just hit us head on. The tree shade was a nice escape now and then.

While we ate lunch we spotted a rabbit nearby. As soon as it spotted us it dived into the undergrowth. There was not a sound to be heard (apart from the odd tram and some winey cutting machine somewhere far off), and nobody came by. I was surprised by how few people were here considering the school summer holidays have started. To be honest, everywhere was pretty empty. I’m guessing it’s hat first week family getaway syndrome. Every year, the first week of the summer holidays there is a mass exodus to warmer places with beaches and swimming pools. All the more for us to enjoy in peace!

The meadows were alive with wildflowers and various butterflies. There were even sweet peas growing here.

The common boasts three ponds, of which we saw two, and the view above seven islands pond is stunning.. We met a chap who said that he walked the common during lockdown as a way of escaping, and how peaceful it was. He spoke about the heron we had seen, which had now appeared at Seven Islands Pond. It is the only one, he said, as we wondered whether there were more herons here.

It was a lovely afternoon, and good to get out walking again. Luckily, considering the weather we have been having lately (lots of rain and flooding), we had one of those days between the wet stuff – just perfect.

I Got Pinged!

On 18th July I was pinged by the NHS Covid App, meaning that I had to self-isolate for seven days. The App identifies a contact with someone who later tested positive for Covid. However, I have no idea where that happened, and certainly did not come from any friends I met during the week. I took a lateral flow test, which was negative.

Last week the UK was experiencing a heatwave with temperatures in the low 30c. Having had to cancel my plans for Wednesday, at least I could spend time in the garden. The mornings and evenings were best times for being outside. During the height of the day, there was nowhere to escape to; not one room in the house was cool, and at night sleeping was difficult. With no rain, watering the garden was high on the list of jobs for the evening. Housework had to be done early in the morning, or not at all!

The photos I am sharing this week reflect my life during the last seven days Thankfully, there were some distractions in the garden and the moon was looking beautiful.

Today I am able to leave the house again!

With time on my hands, I made a little beach scene to sit by the pond, decorated with finds from the bankside of the River Thames, some fairy garden items, and a few shells.

Homemade vegan pizza – my son made the herb base and I put my own topping together

Vegan buns filled with homemade blackberry jelly. These are absolutely divine!

Whitstable – On the coastline in Kent

Whitstable is one of those places I’ve always wanted to visit, so on Thursday I finally took the train from London down to Kent. The harbour is a small working harbour, and there are also shacks selling all kinds of things I associate with Christmas markets, except it’s not Christmas goods!

I decided to walk along by the sea towards Seasalter. On the way, I passed many colourful houses, seaside accommodation, and beach huts. It was so much quieter away from the busy harbour area, and much more to my liking. As I walked away from the crowds I spotted the oyster beds off shore. Whitstable has incredible shells. They are huge. I bought a few home with me!

Brightly coloured houses overlooking the sea

At Seasalter I left the sea for a while to go in search of a Co-op, I’d spotted on my map, in order to buy some lunch, there being no cafes open here. Once I had my lunch, I walked back to the sea and ate on the beach before walking back to Whitstable. I went into the town itself with its brightly painted shops, tea shops and pubs. With narrow pavements, it can be slow going. Some of the buildings are really old. However, soon I wanted to get back to the sea.

I particularly wanted to walk on the other side of the harbour towards Tankerton Bay, but it took me a while to find how to get there. The works by the harbour take up a lot of space, and it feels as though you are walking through an industrial site to get back to the sea. However, once I sorted out the way, I was soon walking along by the sea again. Here there are more colourful beach huts, a yatch club and Tankerton Slopes, rich in wildlife. I found a cafe for afternoon tea and sat on the top of the slopes. What a lovely view in both directions over the beach huts. Looking towards the right, I could see Herne Bay in the distance.

I walked back along the top path where I came across two cannons, and eventually Whitstable Castle Gardens. The gardens are just gorgeous, and I found it the most peaceful place. Everything was so colourful. It is possible to book for afternoon tea, and I am sure it is lovely, but I was happy just to sit in the gardens by the bowling green.

I walked about eleven and a half miles that day. While Whitstable is great for a day trip, I don’t think this would be somewhere I’d want to holiday in. I’m not sure I’d find enough to do, though you can get out to other places, such as Canterbury, and along the coast to such places as Herne Bay, Margate and Ramsgate. The walking is very good, and flat (apart from the slopes in Tankerton), and if you are crazy on seafood, then that is the place to come and eat! For me, the highlight of the day was visiting the gardens. On walking through the gates, a calmness swept over me.

A local nature reserve and Wild Singing

I have known about Tolworth Court Farm for a while, but had never been there. A friend recently suggested we visit a mural at Tolworth station and we set off on Tuesday. What a gorgeous place. Lots of meadow, wild flowers, trees and a glimpse of the Hogsmill River that runs through part of it. Y9u can gain entrance to the Hogsmill River walk from here too.

Just in case you don’t know which station you are at!

Bug house, around the meadow and the Hogsmill River

After a lovely walk through the nature reserve we had lunch in the Garden Centre opposite. We spent time walking around the shop as well as admiring plants for sale. A really nice walk that was only a short bus ride away.

Wild Singing in the Surrey downs

I have not sung properly with a choir since March last year. I’m not a Zoom person, so I have felt quite alienated from my choir. I have taken part in three virtual choirs (videos on YouTube) in that time, and then I heard about this. The day was organised by two former musical directors of the choir I belong to. A day of walking and singing outdoors. I could not resist.

I went along with a friend from choir. Around 24 of us set off into the wilds of the Surrey hills – Farthing Downs, New Hill and the aptly named Happy Valley. The walk just over three miles with a couple of hilly places – one was particularly strenuous. Every so often we stopped to sing. Our first stop by a sign post, is where we limbered up and did some physical and vocal exercises before singing our first song. Most of the songs were written by the guys and were new. They were mainly short repeating lines. The guys are brilliant at teaching, and due to where my friend and I stood we took the alto part (both of us are sopranos). There are always more sopranos than altos anyway, and this made a nice change.

We had breaks for refreshment (and the all important toilet stop). One session we sang in the middle of the woods. We entered the clearing in silence and then were taught a short four line song. When we stopped singing all we could hear were the birds singing!

It was lovely to sing about trees whilst surrounded by trees, and throw our arms to the sky during ‘Let the sun shine.’ The fields were a mass of wild flowers. One lady spotted a pyramid orchid (fairly rare) and then there was the giant snail!

What a lovely way to spend four hours. It was special to once again sing with others. A group of passersby even applauded us! Hopefully, we shall all be able to sing inside again soon. However, this was a wonderful combination of two of my favourite things to do – walking and singing.

Thames Path – two walks

Tower Bridge closing – taken from the north bank

Last week I took two walks along two different parts of the Thames Path. The first was with a friend, along the north bank from London Bridge to Wapping, the second was from Datchet to Windsor in Berkshire.

The first walk took us over Tower Bridge, but we had to wait because the bridge was open to let a boat through. All the years I have been coming to London, this was the first time I had seen the bridge open and close. As it happened, we saw this happen twice, once going, and once coming back! Amazing.

Tower bridge – open. Taken on the South bank

Once over the bridge we walked to St Katherine’s Dock where we stopped for lunch., sitting on a bench overlooking the water. Afterwards we ambled around the dock admiring all the boats and the apartments. Some of these are old warehouses that have been converted.

Soon we found our way to Wapping. Here there are several good pubs. I have visited the Prospect of Whitby in the past, a pub that has a noose hanging outside its back window overlooking the Thames. Here criminals were executed. The pub is also well worth visiting as it has lots of original features. However, today that pub was further than we wanted to walk. But there was one place I wanted to see, and that was Wapping Old Stairs which run alongside the pub called Town of Ramsgate. The pub dates from the 1400’s and the steps was where the fishermen of Ramsgate (in Kent) brought their catches and landed them at Wapping Old Stairs.

The Thames. On the shore having come down Wapping Old Stairs. Oliver’s Wharf

Today we walked down the alleyway and down the stairs. They take you right onto the Thames. Using the handrail is a good idea as the tide comes up over the steps and they can be rather slimy. But it was exciting to stand where fishermen once had hauled their load in here. Crazy that I didn’t take a photo of the stairs themselves, I was that excited! I’m sure I will be going back.

Rather in need of refreshment we thought about visiting the pub, but we walked on a little further until we came to the Captain Kidd pub. This looked like it was closed from the outside. There is nothing much to see, but we walked through open doorway into an alleyway that led to the pub. Here we stopped to have tea (very English!) and sat in the courtyard garden overlooking the Thames. The pub stands on the execution sight of the pirate Captain Kidd, though before becoming a pub in the 1980’s, this building was a workshop and a coffee warehouse.

After refreshing cups of tea, we headed back up river and this time crossed at London Bridge. If you like a pub crawl, then Wapping is a good place to do it! The history of those places wraps around you.

A nice sculpture for Berkeley Homes, North Bank

Datchet to Windsor

On Friday I took the opportunity of reasonably good weather to pick up my Thames Path walk upstream. Last time I finished at Datchet. This time I was doing a very short section – a two mile walk along the Thames to Royal Windsor. The day started badly with difficulty getting train tickets as my local train station ticket office was closed. I won’t bore you with all the details, but I ended up running the length of Clapham Junction station to buy a ticket there (having been directed the wrong way to the machines that could not provide the discounts I am entitled to). I caught my train with three minutes to spare. In a little over half an hour I was in Datchet.

A nice green path off the road down to the Thames

The first part of the walk was on the road, which was extra busy (and I was soon to find out why). The path was then easy going between trees and foliage on both sides. I became aware that on the other side of the river there was some sort of horsey event taking place. I Googled it and found it was The Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Looks like I have coincided with a horse show!

Coming up the steps and onto Victoria Bridge I admired the horses. However, walking a little way on, I realised that there were barriers up and I had no access to the Thames Path on that side. I stopped someone on the road to ask about it and he said I’d have to use the road. I was beginning to think it wasn’t my day!

So I carried on along the busy main road into Windsor itself. My intention was to spend the day looking around Windsor, as I’d not been here in many years. It took a while for me to remember it.

I have to admit that everything that had happened that morning had left me rather stressed. I saw there was a church open, so I decided to go and pay a visit. Whatever your take on religion, you cannot deny the absolute calm of standing in a church away from the noise of traffic and people.

The Last Supper, Light of the World, Royal Pew

St John the Baptist church was rather dark (comes out lighter in the photos), but it was lovely and had two great paintings – The Last Supper and Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World. Outside, I sat on a bench in the church garden overlooking the street and ate my packed lunch.

Finally, I made my way down to the river, stopping off in Alexandra Gardens for a cup of tea. The promenade was lovely and teeming with ducks and swans. The sun came out as I walked. This part of Windsor held surprises like the Hawker Hurricane and Baths Island. I actually laid down at Baths Island. It was relaxing with just the putt, putt of boats up and down the Thames.

Slowly, I made my way back into Windsor and decided to head over the bridge and into Eton to see the famous college. Eton has a lovely high street with cafes and independent shops. I went into an antique book shop and almost bought a book, before heading to the college. Wow! What a place. It really is something else.

On my way back I stopped off at a lovely veggie/vegan cafe for tea and cake and sat at a table outside watching the world go by.

Back over the bridge, I walked through another park with a maze and a very gentle game of bowls was taking place. I was thinking about catching the train back home when I decided to walk further along the Thames Path in the direction of Datchet to see how far I could get. As it turned out I almost completed the walk because from this side the path ran alongside the far side of Home Park. However, eventually I came to the trailers and horse boxes and knew I might have to turn around. I came across a nice man with a gorgeous horse and asked him about getting through. He advised me that I could not walk much further before coming to barriers. He suggested I walk through the field of trailers and horse boxes, following the metal road, and out through the security gate. I asked if I would be allowed to do that. He said, ‘Yes, but if not, I’ll see you ten minutes!’ So, I that’s what I did. There was something beautiful about the sounds of neighing and snorted horses (I’ve always loved horses), but I just kept walking and I even had a little banter with the security guard!

Back onto Victoria Bridge and on my way to Datchet

Back onto the road, Victoria Bridge was just around the corner and I was back on the Thames Path and was on my way to Datchet. This was not how I’d planned it, but in the end I had walked all but a small section of the river on the original path. I had walked close to ten miles in all!

Nero: The man behind the myth – The British Museum

On a wet Monday I headed off The British Museum, having bought a ticket the week before. I needed some inside entertainment during a week that looked rainy! And the Romans have always interested me!

The exhibition was busier than I expected, especially as Covid restrictions are still in force, but things improved once I managed to get out of the first room. The first room was a slow wait-in-line slog where the statues referring to Nero’s family tree was. A complicated tree it is too! Adopted sons, second marriages, all to keep ‘the line’ going.

Nero was only sixteen when he became ruler, and his mother, Agrippina, was very much influencing the way things went. Coins show her alongside her son, but as the years rolled by, she faded more in to the distance on the coins as Nero became his own man, and resented his mother’s interference. Later she was accused of conspiring against Roman leaders, and though it seemed that Nero and his mother had reconciled, Agrippina was later found dead. She had either been forced to commit suicide or was killed by one of Nero’s men.

A young Nero who was later accused of matricide!

The exhibition showcases Nero’s life and busts some of the myths. Nero appears to have been well liked by the people, and he was popular with his supporters, at least to start with. But isn’t that the way with the Romans – good start, plotted against later!

Nero inherited war, but after the uprising in Britain Nero sent a special official to improve administration and to instigate reform and rebuild.

While Prince, Nero enjoyed performing at the circuses. Gladiatorial games and charity racing were popular pass times, as were performances of plays on stage, in which Nero took part.

The fire in Rome in the year AD64, was rumoured to have been started by Nero, but in fact he was not even there when the fire happened. It burned over nine days, destroying great chunks of the city. To appease the gods Nero blamed a Jewish sect.He rounded them up and had them executed ‘by fire’ to fit the crime.

Nero helped the citizens after the fire and rebuilt the city. He instigated new practices and legislation in an urban building plan. His own palace had been caught in the fire, so he set about building a new lavish one.

Wall art from Nero’s second palace, Domus Aurea

Nero married three times. His first wife Claudia Octavia, was betrothed to him when they were children and she was about 13 when they married. Later divorced from Nero and banished, she was executed in AD62 on charges of adultery. Poppaea Sabina, his second wife died, possibly after a miscarriage. Needing heirs, Nero married Statilia Messalina and she outlived Nero.

Popularity began to wane from about AD65, as plots began and disaffected groups and discontent led to conspiracy. In the end, Nero knew he had no choice but to end his life.He fled Rome with a loyal freedman who was his secretary, and it was he who helped Nero commit suicide.

As was common, after Nero’s death, his statues were defaced, as if to wipe Nero out of history. But many statues were repurposed and re-carved to make the heads of new rulers, like the one below of Vespasian, who was one of the more successful rulers from those who followed Nero.

Despite his death, Nero continued to remain a popular figure with people He was a complex character, but then what Roman ruler wasn’t?!

Walk: River Crane

First sight of the River Crane at the end of Moormead and Bandy Recreation Park

I chose my day well. We’d been having a mini heatwave, so I avoided the highest temperatures and chose a day when it was around 25c for this walk. In the book London’s Waterside Walks by David Hampshire, it states the walk is five and half miles, but add that to walks to/from stations (and a bit of off track investigation), I walked about seven miles.

Between the bridge and Mereway Nature Park

The walk begins at St Margaret’s railway station (easily reached from London Waterloo), and actually takes in two rivers. The River Crane is a tributary of the River Thames, meeting that river at Isleworth, and the Duke of Northumberland’s River which is a tributary of the River Crane. The Crane (lots of info and photos here on Paul Talling’s website) begins in Hayes, so I was only walking part of it.

It’s find a friend day! A nice place to sit in Mereway Nature Park

The route is fairly easy to follow, crossing through a recreation ground for the first glimpse of it, but I almost came unstuck where there is a bridge over the river. I had to double back, cross another field until I entered Mereway Nature Park. This is beautiful. There are boards dotted around giving information on what you might see here, and little pathways that led further into the trees. It would be nice to spend more time here, though I did veer off a couple of times to explore a little. I particularly loved the decorated seats and wooden markers, both here and along the River Crane later.

Following the Duke of Northumberland’s River, you eventually come to Kneller Gardens. Here there is a cafe and the all important toilets! The park has play areas, tennis courts, gym equipment and lots of picnic tables. The river runs through here and there were ducks and moorhens.

Ducks on the Duke of Northumberland’s River

Following the path out of the gardens, you cross a main road, and then you are into Crane Park. I was impressed with how large the park is. At first the space is quite open, with the river running alongside it. The further you go, the more the trees encroach and the path narrows.

The river passes under two busy main roads

Much bigger than I thought, was Crane Park

Following the sign post I headed towards the Shot Tower. The Shot Tower is the remains of Hounslow Gunpowder factory built in the 1760’s. It was renowned in Europe for producing the finest black gunpowder. The place eventually closed in 1926. I believe there are open days.

A Sika Deer, I believe. I spotted this as I crossed a bridge and back on to the other bank for the final leg of the walk. Such a surprise.

From that spot it wasn’t too far from the finish, anyway. Eventually, you come out to a very busy road (Great Chertsey Road – A316) and turn left and cross the road and head into Percy Road passing Twickenham Cemetery. From there it is a rather boring walk to Whitton Station. The only light relief was finding the knitted hat on one of the post boxes! At Whitton I’d not long missed a train, so I went and bought myself a sandwich, eating it on a bench in the high street. When I reached the station, I found my train had been cancelled, due to lack of train drivers! I had to wait about forty minutes for the next one. Rather frustrating but, that’s life!

Van Gogh Alive Exhibition, Kensington Gardens, London

This exhibition has been around the world and to various parts of the UK. It is a totally different way of experiencing art.

It was a warm day the day we went to the exhibition, though it began cloudy. We walked from Victoria station, taking in the gardens of Hyde Park before reaching Kensington Gardens, where we ate lunch. The sun was out by then and it had become hot.

At 1pm we entered the temporary exhibition site close to the Albert Memorial. All the information about the experience, along with details about Van Gogh’s life, the paintings and how/when he came to paint them are on boards before you enter the experience itself. There is also a mock-up of Van Gogh’s bedroom where you can take photos. You are able to sit on the chair (the chair is wiped down each time to make it safe!).

Entering the experience itself, you are greeted by music and huge screens with every changing paintings. There are the 2 metre roundels showing where you may stand or sit. Sitting is the best option as the experience lasts about one hour. When we entered, the film was about half way through. We sat in the first area, but later moved forward as people standing were blocking our view. All around you – to the front, sides and back, sometimes even on the floor, the paintings move and change. The film is nicely put together, going through Van Gogh’s life, and the music matches the mood of the painter. Van Gogh was a prolific letter writer (he often illustrated his letters with sketches), and some of his words are displayed alongside paintings.

Many of the images are 3D and cleverly done so that birds fly, trains move between paintings. We stayed to see the film from its beginning until almost the end again. The room is air conditioned. There are no seats, so you must be prepared to either stand or sit on the floor. We loved the experience so much we could have happily stayed there all day. A nice day bed would have been handy!

Coming out of the main room, you enter the sunflower room. This is small but with mirrored walls and ceiling, it appears far bigger. From there you exit into the shop. There are toilets, and a cafe. However, we found somewhere outside to have a drink, which was probably cheaper!

Would I recommend this? Yes! The friend I was with did not know much beyond the Sunflowers painting of Van Gogh’s, and she was amazed how many paintings he did. I always feel sad that artists such as Van Gogh, who struggled to make a living, never knew how famous he would be. He struggled too with his mental health (it was later thought that he was bipolar), and he was happiest when he was painting.

I have been to Van Gogh exhibitions in the past, but this was certainly different. I think it would appeal to all kinds of people. The way it is presented, you have to do nothing but watch. No squinting at plagues by paintings to read about it. No waiting behind people to get a glimpse of art works. It’s there, right in front of you. It bombards you, it is in your face art, and it is moving.

Royal Doulton Building, Lambeth

Further to my post yesterday, I must just mention the Royal Doulton building just behind White Hart Dock off Albert Embankment. When I saw it I thought, what a striking building, but I had no idea of its history. It was only that I posted some photos on a Facebook Group page that someone mentioned it.

So I have looked it up and can do no better than post this link, which has some wonderful photos. I think I shall return here another time. There is obviously more to discover.