My London+

My week in pictures (5) plus something from the archive.

Going through my some old files on a memory stick I came across a day trip we did as family back in 2003 to Bekonscot Model Village in Beckonsfield in the county of Buckinghamshire. I’ve always had a thing about model villages, and I’ve been to this one twice. Its high time to make a third visit when lockdown is over and we can travel again.

Bekonscot Model Village first opened in 1929 and was the brain child of Roland Callingham, a London accountant. The model railway was initially indoors, but Mrs Callingham said either it goes or she does! The model railway moved outside and the rest is history. In the past the model village was kept up to date with modern cars etc., but in the ’90’s it reverted to the the 1930’s and has remained so.

There is no social distancing here as crowds gather to watch the local football team play, hay is gathered in and railway engines chunters along over bridges and into tunnels, while a wedding takes place in the church, Morris dancers entertain and boats bob on the water. This is a brilliant place to take children and it’s nostalgic for adults. At present it is closed (like everything else) but the website gives instructions for getting there and Beconsfield Station is a short walk away. There is also a photo gallery on the site and lots more information.

This last week seemed much like any other week with a lot of time spent outside reading in the sunshine. I went for a walk with one of my sons and we came back via the shops only to find Tesco Express was closed due to electrical problems. All the other shops had long queues so we used our local Off Licence just to buy the essentials like bread, milk and eggs and some orange juice. Thankfully the small Tesco store opened again yesterday and we managed to buy some fruit and veg.

Jogging is going well. I’ve increased the time I run to when I walk, but I still find time to take photos. There is a small garden just inside the gate I use at the park and I’m watching that change as the daffs and tulips are finishing and new flowers are taking their place. I also baked a Marmalade and Ginger cake which is so moist and light and tasty that it is hard to stick to one slice. That and the left over chocolate from Easter is one of the reasons I run!

Beverley Brook runs along the bottom on the park

My Week in Pictures (4)

This last week, aware that I am putting on weight (probably not helped by Easter chocolate!) I decided that I would do some jogging. Mindful that the last time I did this (in 2012) I did my knees in and could barely walk, I have taken it easy by not running every day. About every third day I am power walking up to a nearby park and then run one lap around it, stopping every so often to take photos (a good excuse for a breather). It’s early days yet, but I hope to continue. I go early (about 7am) when social distancing is no problem as there aren’t many people out.

I was thinking of posting some pictures of past visits to London, but all my photos from last year and further back are on a server which has gone into meltdown. My son tells me that when Windows 10 updates it does ‘something’ to the server and messes things up. Hence I could not get into it this morning, and though my son had a go at fixing it, he couldn’t manage it. I do have the photos on my old laptop so I might try and transfer them all onto memory sticks because this is jolly annoying.

So, here are the usual week’s offerings of trees, flowers and whatnot.

My Week in Pictures (3)

Highlights this week were the Supermoon and tracking down cans of tomato puree. The weather continued to be sunny and just how I like it, so I’ve been in the garden reading a lot of the time. I also dug over another bed and scattered more seed. I have a saucer with the ends of carrots and radishes sprouting. These are experiments because I’ll admit I’m no gardener. I have some aubergine seeds sprouting by the look of things (everything looks weed-like to me in the first stages).

I became quite obsessed with the Supermoon and one of my sons brought out the smaller of his telescopes and we set up in the front garden before moving to the back garden to carry on as the moon rose over the roof of our neighbour’s house. I was able to cadge a look at Venus through the telescope and my son pointed out Orion’s Belt. Anyway, I took a ton of photos messing around with increments of exposure (both up and down) to try for that perfect shot. I am limited a little with a bridge camera and the length of zoom, but I came away with some shots I was happy with.

When I woke up sometime after three o’clock the next morning I decided to get up and see how the Supermoon was doing (I’d heard it would be at its best at that time). Through the kitchen window all I could see was cloud and a few breaks where I could see the light of the moon, but no moon. I made a mug of tea and went into the lounge on my laptop (as you do), but with one eye looking through the curtains every so often to see what progress the cloud had made. Finally, I saw something worth going outside for. Yes, there I was in my jim jams sitting on the bench trying to steady the camera (all my shots are hand held). This went on for almost two hours – in and out of the house – until at about 4.45am when I got full moon shots. I uploaded them onto my laptop and went back to bed.

The following evening my other son said the moon looked even better. Did I need an excuse? Nope. I went into the front garden for a few shots, and yes I think it did look better.

I have managed only one walk this week (we are very limited for decent walks living as we do in an urban area). This walk incorporated a busy road before heading off down through a golf course. On the way back through the high street I did my shopping and finally found the coveted tomato puree. Still looking for plain flour.

If you are missing views around London and learning a bit of history, I’d highly recommend Look Up London (who I have been on real walks with). Katie is running virtual tours about three times a week through Facebook and Instagram. Details through her website here.

See you next week.

My Week in Pictures (2)

Every day seems the same right now. It’s hard to keep track of them, a bit like when it’s Christmas and you can’t remember if it’s Tuesday or Sunday. Routines have gone out the window, yet I find I am rather enjoying slow time. Having had such good weather has helped. I have been gardening again – weeding, sowing more seeds. Reading has also been high on the agenda too and I washed the patio furniture (attempting fate) so I have more sitting options!

I go out about every three days to shop but avoid the big supermarkets as I hate queuing. I’ve noticed that I have more washing up to do but less clothes washing (there are four adults in my house), I am up to date with most of the housework and I think we are actually eating better. I’ve certainly cooked more scratch meals. The meat eaters of the family (two of them) have eaten more veggie and vegan (they usually cook their own meat), and we have settled into this weird way of life. I take each day as it comes and try not to dwell on how long this might last.

There is less traffic and pollution (much better for the planet) and I am more aware of birds singing and bees buzzing. I love watching wildlife from my window, though in this urban area wildlife is usually birds and a visiting cat. Nevertheless, I find it all calming and it’s an opportunity to take photos, which is good news for the blog! So, here is a selection of photos that make up this last week.

Flowers, trees, green spaces and night skies – My week in photos

I’ve been out only to shop and exercise this week (as we have been told to do). I do my exercise and shop together on the whole as I have two parks near to me. One is a cut through to the high street, the other makes a nice round trip. We’ve been lucky weather-wise this week and gardening has been high on the agenda. Digging over beds, planting seeds, potting up, cutting the grass has all been done. I’ve got my pea plants in and hope they can take the winds that have come in the last two days, along with a severe drop in temperature.

So, here is a snapshot of my week in pictures. Hope these cheer you up in these worrying times.

London today

My London is a strange place today. As Coronavirus numbers increase so the city and the country as a whole shuts down. In the last twenty-four hours the streets are quieter, buses run almost empty and tubes and train station have been deserted. Here, like in other countries of the world, we are being told to go out only if necessary – for work (though companies are being encouraged to allow their staff to work from home), food shopping and essentials, to avoid bars or to socialise in groups. This is a weird world right now.

Although I don’t live in the centre of London my own town is no different. Presently schools are still open, cafes, normally very busy places, have a handful of customers, yet the supermarkets are struggling to cope with the number of people stockpiling food, toilet rolls and cleaning products. I walked out of one supermarket on Monday because the queues were so long. I refused to join in with this crazy lot and went somewhere else.

I had to visit the dentist yesterday. I was worried they would cancel, but no. It was only for a routine check, but it was evident while I was there that people were cancelling left, right and centre. The receptionist told me that theirs has to be a sterile space and people were cancelling unnecessarily. I wonder how long they can continue like this.

Already I am getting confused with the days of the week. My usual groups that meet regularly in the week are now all cancelled. They were my routine, my pointers for each week ahead. Now there is nothing in my diary to look forward to, and for someone who loves to be out and about, this feels strange. At home, life goes on. You wouldn’t know anything was wrong unless you turn on the TV and watch the news. I guess this is the time we see if humankind adapts to enforced isolation. A week, yeah, okay, months?

So what am I going to blog about? Perhaps I should re-name the blog through my window!

I thought I might blog about places I have been to in the past and post some inspiring photos. We have a garden and spring is here. I take lots of photos of flowers, the sky, and often the moon. So, while I may not be able to travel around (all theatres, museums and galleries have closed anyway) I hope I can still find something to blog about. If you would like to respond about how things are where you are, please feel free to do so. Let’s keep positive. Stay safe and well everyone.

Bermondsey Walk

Today I joined a group of people on a walk through Bermondsey. How lucky were we with the weather? Yes, it was a chilly wind, but the sun was shining and there wasn’t a rain cloud in sight!

Council Offices showing the Bermondsey Crest

I was particularly keen to do this walk as my grandfather’s family lived here. Actually, my grandfather four generations back was the first to live by the River Neckinger. The river has long since been built over but there are clues to the past, and if you know where to look (I do!) you can see where the river finally runs into the Thames.

The walk began from Bermondsey tube station. The road outside had barriers along it due to the Vitality Half Marathon taking place. Lots of runners (including someone dressed as a rhino) were being cheered on.

Walking under the bridge by the old Bermondsey Spa Station

Our first stop, St James Church, is quite an imposing place with Roman pillars. (Since coming home I have discovered that my great-grandfather married here!). We carried on into Spa Road where Bermondsey Spa Road Station once stood. We walked under the bridge (rather nice pillars) and out the other side where there is a park where once the spa waters were. It was the place to come in those days. On the other side of the road is the council offices. Not the original as they moved along a bit, but on the pediment of the building you can see the Bermondsey Crest. The only part of the original council building remaining is part of the wall and gates, behind which is now Sainsbury’s Local!

Further down is the library, which is original. Above the windows are busts of writers. Inside there is Buddhist Prayer Room. Our guide showed us a photo of it and said that it was in use at weekends but they are very friendly people there, and if you go along in the week you can see it for yourself.

The area had many factories. Most of these have now been converted into flats. There is Hartley’s (the jam makers), a custard factory and a biscuit factory. However, there were also factories dealing in curing furs. One such factory Alaska cured seal furs, another cured goat skins, and in one road Christies hat factory used felt . Then women working there had to use a solution of mercury and some other acid to separate the fibres. This is where the saying ‘mad as a hatter’ comes from, because the mercury caused loss of memory, slowness, slurred speech and the shakes. It was only outlawed in 1912 in this country.

Alaska Factory where seal skins/fur was cured

Tanning was also big business in this area. Of course central London did not want the smell so factories were downstream, where big open vats were used filled with dog poo and urine to cure the hides. People were paid to collect dog poo for this industry! My great grandfather started out as a boot maker. He was in the right place! The smell must have been dreadful, and all the effluence poured into the Thames. Street names, like Tanners Lane, show the past, along with old warehouses now turned into offices and apartments.

Before it was an auto repair shop this was a Farrier, hence the horse head

The railways seemed to build new stations at the drop of a hat only to demolish them and build another. We came across two very close by. The second one had nothing to remember it by except around the corner where the arches are. They were the former stables. As goods came in horse and carts were used to deliver them. The old houses were once places workers would have lived in. These days the two bedroom houses go for about £600,000!

The former stables around the corner from a station (no longer there)

The remains of Bermondsey Abbey under a restaurant floor!

Another highlight was discovering Bermondsey Abbey ruins, close to the now lost Neckinger River. The only way to see them is to go into the restaurant where you can see a small part through a glass flood. Our guide knows them in the restaurant so we were able to go in. Unfortunately they were given the wrong advice about the flooring so only you can only see part of a wall through one panel as the rest of the floor has frosted glass. To change it would cost £40,000!

The head of a river god on one of Bermondsey’s oldest buildings

Over the road stands St Mary Magdalene (where, in the graveyard, I believe one of my ancestors is buried). Let’s hope he wasn’t dug up because the people known as The Resurrectionists took bodies for medical research. There is a tower house (now a cafe) where watchmen stayed to keep an eye open for anyone hoping to dig up a newly buried body! Next we stopped at a row of buildings which are the oldest in Bermondsey. Over the arch of one is the head of a river god.

The Watch House over the cemetery (now a cafe)

To finish we walked into Maltby Street, a narrow alleyway where there is a street market selling hot food from around the world. The aroma was wonderful. Some of our group went into some eating places to the side but I went off to explore and take a few more photos before walking to London Bridge station and the homeward journey.

The factory close to where my ancestors lived

Wandle Trail – Carshalton Ponds to Merton Abbey Mills

In January I walked the first leg of the river Wandle Trail from Croydon to Carshalton Ponds. Although the book /map I am using breaks the whole walk (Croydon to Wandworth) into two sections I have decided to split it into three sections. The reason being I like to amble and detour sometimes to see things on the way and take photos.

So yesterday I set off on the second leg arriving in Carshalton early with time for a quick hot chocolate in Costa and making use of their facilities before setting off. My first stopping point would be Wilderness Island which meant heading up behind the ponds where spring flowers were blooming and there was a lovely waterfall. I followed the path left and came out on the road. Further up I arrived at Wilderness Island, a nature reserve, and this was my first detour as I stopped and headed inside for a walk along the pathways. A Kingfisher darted between the trees over the river, but it was too quick to get a photo. It was more an ‘oh, wow!’ moment.

Back on the trail I headed along a footpath running along the back of the Nature Reserve and followed the river round and eventually coming across Claudio Funari’s Community Gardens. Such a lovely find, so pretty. Crossing diagonally across the road I headed down another path where I became a little unsure if I was on the right path to Watercress Park. Walking across another park I became a bit confused as to where I was so I stopped a guy who knew the area well. I thought I was in Poulters Park but I was ahead of myself as it came up later. Then came Watermeads Nature Reserve (second detour) where I met a group of ramblers who advised that the path in the other direction was less muddy, though it was a slightly longer way round. I took their advice and walked the long way. It was a lovely walk and quiet.

Arriving at Ravensbury Park I came across the bridge that had recently collapsed. Traffic could not cross but pedestrians could go round it. Here there were some flood defenses. Ravensbury Park was quite a delight, very pretty and worth another look sometime. On exiting it was just one road to cross and I was into Morden Hall Park, a place I know well. I headed towards the Potting Shed cafe (National Trust) and had lunch there (toilet break too), before heading into the garden centre for a look around. Morden Hall Park has lots going on for children. The Snuff Mill runs courses of pond dipping and other activities, especially in school holidays (last October half term it was pumpkin carving). There is also a second cafe and second hand bookshop, and by the garden centre is an aquarium and outdoor shed displays.

I was now on the final part of my walk across the park (there are wetlands with boardwalks and kids play area, but I missed this section out this time). At one point you have to cross the tram line and then its a straight run down to Deen City Farm and Merton Abbey Mills where William Morris once had his print works. Here the walk ended.

I’d chosen yesterday to walk as it was the best day of the week (the weather has been keeping me from being outdo0rs – I am a fair weather walker!) With three layers and a jacket and hat I was never really cold. The walk was just over 5 miles and took around two hours with stops for lunch and photos.

Working water mill at Merton Abbey Mills

Short walk in Hammersmith

Every Tuesday I go along to a writing group meeting in a cafe in Hammersmith. Today I arrived early so I took a short stroll along part of the Thames Path, a path I know quite well. Above is a photo of Hammersmith bridge designed by Joseph Bazalgette and opened in 1887. Currently the bridge is closed to traffic as major repairs are required, but pedestrians can still access it.

I walked just a little way along the pathway until I came to Kelmscott House where William Morris (a major influence in the Arts & Craft Movement and founder member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood) lived from 1778 to 1896. The house is privately owned but The Coach House is home to the William Morris Society and open on certain days of the week. It is well worth a look. I visited several years ago. The Coach House is where the Hammersmith branch of the Socialist League met. There you will see a printing press used by William Morris, as well as tiles and furniture.

The house is just a stones throw from Emery Walker’s House, which is presently closed, but I aim to visit when it re-opens. Emery Walker was a good friend of William Morris and they often met together.

Dr Johnson’s House and St Vedast Church

Hidden in the back alleys off Fleet Street and Fetter Lane is the house of Dr Samuel Johnson whose most important work is his dictionary commissioned by a syndicate of booksellers in 1746. There are copies for you to peruse in one of the rooms. His most famous saying is:

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life….

The house has a quiet disposition but one can imagine the sound of horse and carriage moving through the square. In fact we heard horses hooves and moved to the window only to observe two police horses clip clopping across the cobbles!

The rooms are sparsely furnished but with plenty of information and a chance to sit at a table to read the information sheets and take in the atmosphere. I never realised how much this man wrote…a man who could write a novel in a week! He was friends with David Garrick of the Garrick Theatre and there is a trunk in the withdrawing room containing some theatre costumes from the Garrick.

The Withdrawing Room (for the ladies) The chest to the right contains costumes from The Garrick Theatre

On the first floor containing the Withdrawing Room is a unique moving partition wall and doors.

Samuel Johnson married a widow with children but does not appear to have had any children of his own. He was born in Lichfield in 1709. His father was a bookseller who seemed to be incompetent with money. Unable to stay at Oxford University for more than a year Johnson headed to London with his wife where he worked as a freelance journalist. Johnson was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree before his dictionary was published. Sadly his wife died in 1752 before the book was published.

The attic floor. Outside the window is a long ledge where tomatoes were grown

Johnson wrote essays, poems and biographies as well as plays.

The house is owned by National Trust, so free to members, and £7 for everyone else (there are concessions for students). Nearest tube station is Temple.

In the Square is a statute of Dr Johnson’s pet cat, Hodge

After leaving the house there was time for a short wander nearby. We found a little church tucked away behind all the new buildings near St Paul’s and One New Change. The church, St Vedast-Alias-Foster, is small but beautiful inside. Sir John Betjeman (former Poet Laureate) was part of the Parochial Church Council. I was fascinated by the sermon timer. I’ve never seen one before. There is enough sand in there for an hour! To the side of the church is a small and peaceful courtyard. Finding this church was just by chance, but what a lovely find. The church on Foster Lane, off Cheapside.