May
31
2021

Farewell merry month of May

Filed under , , , , , by

The weather in May has been somewhat mixed. Only recently we had showers of sleet.

Usually walking in May is one of the better months. I took THE 37 bus to Putney at the beginning of May and had a wee amble along the river. I got off at East Putney underground station; turning right onto the high street. The weather on this particular day in May wasn’t too bad. It was a bit windy but the sun was out at least.

Not so much a merry month but at least it’s May the lockdown has now been eased off. 

  There are three stations in Putney and a disused Network rail platform at East Putney. In use at present, there is East Putney Underground station on Upper Richmond Road then Putney station on the high street as well as Putney Bridge Underground station, the latter which takes you out at a really nice entrance near the river and the station, the entrance,  I know best.

Once I got off the high street it wasn’t long before I was down by the river, one of my favourite places to be, but I have to say it folks – I’m not sure how many days like this in London will be around.

While ambling along the river. I came across a sign near the brewery at Mortlake, where it highlighted an ongoing campaign.  The area is under threat from corporate companies. To be able to amble along the river away from crowds is a true joy.

Once it gets overdeveloped that won’t be possible. Even if you don’t know the area it’s worth taking a look at the plans and voicing your opinion if you have one.

https://www.mbcg.org.uk/what-you-can-do/

If the Major of London sells off these sites to Singapore investors, that is the end of  river walks., One of the few free pleasures in life.

Walk further up the Thames and you will be virtually knocked over by joggers. We don’t need more people living on the river…

Thames flooding

walking along the Thames without any bother from Businessmen!

 

The launch of the Great British Railway

Apparently, the railways are ‘going back’ to being a public sector body. I’M NOT sure exactly what it means but I agree it needs an overhaul.

Over the years travelling on trains to get out for walks; I have found that I have sort of gotten used to the split ticketing and crossing from one train line -company to another. They ‘ are talking about having a fare system similar to the oyster pay-as-you-go which is music to my ears.. let’s connect and jump on and off the railways!!

May where spring pushes through the ground.

BRIGHT & CHEERFUL

BRIGHT & DANDY

 



A wee preview of what’s coming up.


The next post will be about my recent BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND VISITING Holy Island.. A night along the Tyne.. and much much more. At the time of post, I am returning on the great LNER railway to Kings Cross London.


 


My best walks in 2020


 

			

	
	



				
					


	

        
Apr

        
30

        
2021

        

    

		

		
April is the cruellest month


				

						
				Filed under  by 			
			
					

			


		

		
April is the CruelleSt month is something I quote often in April.


One minute sunshine the next snow.  Until now I didn’t know the line, April is the cruellest month, quote  originates from the poem; The Waste Land written by T.S Eliot. The poet is speaking of death and in particular the death of winter and the emerging life- of spring; not quite ready, but we are enticed from our slumbers,.


Then it freezes again. April is the cruellest month, I agree. I venture out anyway. Life is for living and I need some time out.


Usually, the month of April conjures up many thoughts of new beginnings.


We associate the month of April with a time of new starts, it is spring, plants push threw the soil; newborn lambs are born and easter symbolises rebirth, The clocks go forward, the days are lighter, and there is so much hope but it can also be extremely cold and as has happened it can snow..


 


April 12th is an official Government date that lifts us out of our Lockdown ‘provisionally’ Go forth with caution!  


The month of April is a mixture of the dark and the light, a day out in Seaford was the first journey I thought about but then remembered that despite the restrictions lifting; the bars and cafes are outside only. It can wait.


Walking from Wimbledon Common to Richmond Park


From Wimbledon Common to the River Thames just before Barnes is an easy walk. It’s the first time I have done it and it was enjoyable but I was ready to go home after 10 miles. If we weren’t in this crazy lockdown coming out phase, I might have carried on to Hammersmith and sat by the river.


Looking back at other April walks


Places to visit in April The Grayson Perry/Essex walks are definitely on the cards again


I can’t believe my post last April 2019 was so full of hope. I visited Bristol, Essex and Margate in one month, which is pretty good going. If you want to read about Grayson Perry’s house follow this link


.https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/may/10/grayson-perry-a-house-for-essex-stonking-shrine 


A walk from Manningtree to the house GP designed it’s a good day out with plenty of variety of scenery.


Time out in London


 


I had some bits of business to do and was out and about in Bermondsey.


Afterwards, I walked down to the river. I realised it was St Georges’s day, as groups of mainly men congregated, outside the pubs. It is after all April and spring; lockdown rules are breaking down.


For the first time, I could really see the impact of overbuilding down by the river and how big a working-class community lives side by side with overdevelopment.


Bermondsey Street London Bridge is smart but it’s time to leave it now and let it be. It must get suffocating in the summer as there’s little green space.  On this particular day, a persistent chill blew alongside the emerging sun.


Rotherhithe a mystery solved.


Is it art or functional?


 


I found what I was looking for


After a quick walk to Rotherhithe to see if I could find out more information about a photograph previously taken and could not identify.I arrived outside The Brunel Museum off Railway Street.


https://thebrunelmuseum.com


I was about to ask a woman working there when I noticed the sign underneath it! Explaining what the object was.! I felt satisfied that I now could name the object in my photograph. My day could now be ticked off as having achieved something!


 The Tate Modern at Pimlico


The overground train station is 1 minute away from Railway Street in Rotherhithe. It got me to Pimlico in no time at all.


It was lovely to find a quiet open space in the sun. The Tate Gallery was closed; as was their small garden at the front of the building. An available bench just beside the Tate Gallery was a sun trap. I sat there for 15 minutes enjoying the space, just waiting for a friend.


 


Until next time Keep on Keeping on.


 


 


 




 

			

	
	



				
					


	

        
Mar

        
31

        
2021

        

    

		

		
London in Lockdown


				

						
				Filed under ,  by 			
			
					

			


		

		
 


Writing about London in Lockdown has been a challenge.


Hopefully this will be the last post about London in Lockdown. Not managing to get out for many walks up the river, and being restricted  has been uninspiring; London in Lockdown, is London with it’s heart cut out. London is a place of constant movement with thousands of events going on simultaneously. Writing about my five mile radius is somewhat boring. I want London to get back to normal but as well need to Get out to explore and discover new walks, 


After attending a funeral recently where I  stayed over night in another part of London,  the next day a very short walk along the river was welcome.


Walking along the river from Greenwich North on a suitably wintery morning.


 


 I have been living with a SE24 postcode longer that I care to remember. I’m never sure if I live in Brixton or Herne Hill!


Brockwell park is our very own Central Park that borders on Brixton & draws round to Tulse Hill  going round to the Norwood entrance then sweeps down to Herne Hill. The park has become extremely important over the last few months. For those of you who don’t know Brixton or Herne Hill. I feel compelled to explain how close they are to each other.


I mentioned in the last post a visitor from Ireland was quite impressed with the area. Then thought, can I  truly consider myself living in brixton with a SE24 post code!  I really am on the border, which has been said of my general persona; so perhaps I’m in the right place!!


In fact if I walk five minutes up the road from my place, to Brockwell Park at the top of Effra Parade; leading onto Brixton Water Lane (South Brixton/Tulse Hill)  If I turn right out of my house in less than a 10 minute walk  I’m in Brixton Central. Turn left and there is Herne Hill station in 10 minutes. 


https://brockwellparkcommunitypartners.org.uk/visit-the-park/


My mother used to write letters to me and always addressed it as Brixton /Herne Hill, London England.


That is about right. Although for many years I lived in SW9 which is proper brixton that was back in the squatting days.  In Brixton Central you will find the: markets, clubs, bars, cinema, crowds and all of that. I took the picture below as I wanted to get a snapshot before the builders painted over it.


 


 


 


 


BRADYS SW9….
Home of the brave. You could come out of Brixton Underground, stroll in 2 minutes, through an arcade and straight into the saloon bar. The Wild West never died here.. I’m glad to see the developers so far have kept the original Bradys aka The Railway sign in tact. It really had it’s moments, a mainly Irish bar with frequent live music lively nights were had by all.


Herne Hill, the new Hampstead
This has a lot going for it. Years ago nobody went there! Now it’s buzzing.


I


I nearly forgot to mention the poets roads in Herne Hill


Off Railton Road, running up to Brockwell Park, we have residential roads named after poets: MiltonRoad, Shakespeare, Spencer & Chaucer Road. This is most definitely Herne Hill residential at its finest.


St James Park


My second favourite park in London. I had an opticians appointment and as it was in Victoria London, I took the opportunity to meet up with a friend for a walk across the park. ( no kissing or cuddling took place! we maintained our distance)


ducks, swans st james park
A freezing cold day in March. St James Park, down among the ducks & Swans


DUCKS ALWAYS UP FOR A FEED IN ST JAMES PARK


 


 


BENDY TREE AMONG THE DAFFODILS.


 


 In 2015 I wrote Out and about in London a simple day of pleasure        click here to read.


Many of my blogs have been about days out in London, but I do want a change 


but I’m not sure where to start. Lockdown is becoming normal and I feel almost scared to start planning.


RIP Eileen Deeks, who enjoyed life to the full & is famous for saying life is for living.


It’s likely most will agree, I’m sure, it is time to start living a little! 


 

			

	
	



				
					


	

        
Feb

        
28

        
2021

        

    

		

		
Eastbourne to Winchester


				

						
				Filed under , ,  by 			
			
					

			


		

		
Eastbourne to Winchester a 100 mile walk across the Southdowns’


Recently I was browsing through my you tube subscriptions. I came across some posts from a crew called WSV, Their channel is dedicated to hiking, mainly around the North and south Downs. They recorded a serieS of walks  between Eastbourne and  Winchester.


I watched the first episode of six ,which was walking from Eastbourne to  Alfriston. I’m interested for sure. The questions arising so far are:  where will I get the water from, and will the pubs still be open?


https://youtu.be/0_3HsCmW98M


 


Is it possible to walk from Eastbourne to Winchester over 7 days?


 


I think I could and it will take a hell of a lot of planning. I can make vague geographical plans, theres’ no harm in that. Many of my walks have covered the first section of the South Downs.


In the meantime I have to make do with local walks.


 


More pics from the not so mean streets of Brixton.


I always remember a young Irish fella I had met in Galway, He came over to London for a break and I showed him round Brixton. He was so surprised at how civilised it was.


He had expected overturned cars and an overall seediness, obviously his views stemmed from the internationally famous Brixton riots;  but this was  around 1995 or so. Things were a bit more upbeat by then.. As well -there have always been ‘posh’ houses in Brixton.


This is a shot without the crowds. Usually at weekends or evenings  it’s like Barcelona in here.!


POP UP BRIXTON LONDON WALKS
POP UP BRIXTON. Temporary makeshift units of bars, cafes, and clothes stores. I think this is due to come down soon and may well be the area they want to build some new high-rises. Will check that out later.


 


Empty shop but still you could pick up a free book, or leave one behind.


 


It seems there are two schools of thought about Lockdown 


Those who are thriving and finding inspiration in lockdown, who are these people?: recluses! writers  artists!?  The second group of people are those (probably the majority) who are not finding inspiration in Lockdown and trying to carry on as if all is well when it isn’t.


 


I fall somewhere in-between, to be totally honest. I feel obliged to find inspiration in Lockdown, but despite my efforts to keep fit and mentally sane.  It’s something that I’m struggling with. On the positive. I have enrolled on various courses with Domestika and they are brilliant


https://www.domestika.org/en


MARY BOAST WALK


I left last months post with a question. The post was about places and names.


I looked up the origins of the name on the sign Mary Boast Walk. Rather than copy the information , I have included the link.  Please see below another blogger who knows and loves London.


https://knowyourlondon.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/mary-boast-walk-camberwell/




Until next time, keep on keeping on. I suspect March will see me venturing up the river more often and hopefully a bit further each time. It will be April before I start venturing out of London, and I’m so looking forward to that.


 

			

	
	



				
					


	

        
Jan

        
31

        
2021

        

    

		

		
Places & Names


				

						
				Filed under , , ,  by 			
			
					

			


		

		
Looking a bit closer at Places & Names


 


Looking closer at some of my recent blogs I decided to do a bit more research on the places and names


In a recent walk from Brixton to Crystal Palace, ending up in Forest Hill/ Sydenham, I came across the sign Jews Walk.


Places and names is also the title of a very good song written by John Cale and Lou Reed featured on the album; songs for Drella.  


Names can tell us a lot about our environment, if we take the time to investigate. For this post I will limit myself to exploring: Love Walk- Jews Walk, and Gipsy Hill .


Jews Walk


‘Jews Walk was named after two Jewish brothers who lived in Westwood, a large house on the edge of Sydenham Common,


Around 1769 the two brothers obtained permission from Lord Dartmouth,  Lord of the Manor, to create a tree-lined walk across the common to their house.


This walk became known as “the Jews’ walk”. 


When Sydenham Common was enclosed in the early 19th century the name was retained.


By at least 1854 some residents of Jews Walk felt that  began referring to the street as “The Grove”.


In 1878 the Metropolitan Board of Works, a London-wide body was making sense of house numbers and street names, was petitioned to officially rename Jews Walk to “The Grove”.


To their credit the M.B.W refused to change the name and “Jews Walk”, one of the oldest street-names in Sydenham, survived.’


Extract taken from Sydenham Town Forum.


Gipsy hill


The hill once covered in trees was a well- known-haunt of Romani people in the 19th century.


It  is an area bordering two London boroughs of Lambeth and southwark, it’s worth a climb to the top for the views of London.


A massive hill takes you up to Crystal Palace where you will pass Gipsy Hill train station. Gipsy Hill also can boast its’ own brewery. The Ghost Whale craft beer bar stocks their brew as do other trendy bars.


A couple of interesting facts about the area of Gipsy hill


A 28-room nuclear bunker was constructed between 1963 and 1966 as part of a block of flats on the Central hill Estate called Pear Tree House on Lunham Road.


Famous residents of Gipsy Hill area include the singer songwriter Errol Brown from Hot Chocolate, and Nigel Eaton who was a hurdy -gurdy player for Jimmy Page and Robert Plant also lived in the area.


LOVE WALK AND CAMBERWELL


 There is only one street named Love Walk making it unique in the UK. 


I love the fact that the office I work in is on Love Walk. Love Walk Cafe on Denmark Hill


 


Every day I walk or cycle from Brixton to Camberwell and walk down Love Walk. I have researched Camberwell and still could not find the exact origin of the name Love walk.  During my research however,  I  realise how much Camberwell means to me.


 


The most famous landmarks is probably Camberwell College of Arts which is also part of St Martins. Maudsley Hospital and Kings College Hospital are significant major hospitals serving Southwark and many areas in Kent.


Camberwell  hasn’t a tube station but a train station called Denmark Hill.  Oh and of course Love Walk Café and the famous mural, on the opposite side of the road .


I love the fact that the office I work in is on Love Walk. Love Walk Cafe on Denmark Hill Japanese mural


 


There are no high street shops in Camberwell.  Morrison’s is the main local shop, and they give 10% off to NHS workers; the other main food shop is the Coop.


In recent years we said goodbye to Woolworths and Hello to Costa, but that was the only update.


Camberwell Grove is a leafy residential conservation area and has a steep and long grove.  Walking up and down there is enjoyable at lunch times and a way to get some steps in.


Love walk is a pretty walk, featuring old fashioned country cottages set back and enclosed by a wall.


Camberwell was originally a tiny village in the county of Surrey.


The artist and writer John Ruskin moved there in 1823, and Ruskin Park on Denmark Hill is named after him. 


It’s easy to imagine Camberwell  as a country village.




I was unable to locate the exact origins of the name LOVE WALK, but did find some interesting theories about the name of Camberwell.


The well which gave part of the name to the village might have been famous for some medicinal virtues,


The well would then become the well of the ‘crooked’ or crippled. This may be related to the development of a mental health & hospital in the area


 


See further reading.!


source https://www.british-history.ac.uk/.


Other posts of South London.


Brixton v Clapham