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.
My London+ 