Dec
31
2025

December Walks, 2025

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December Walks 2025 & beyond.

I desperately wanted to get away to the seaside before Christmas but had come down with a horrible flu. So no can do. Here we are again at the end of another year. December walks 2025 have been mainly in London.

I’m also spending a lot of time, walking up and down my own Road 

I’m designing a Brixton Murals Tour for my college course. Hence walking up and down my own road, as most of the murals are near by. It is after all Murals of Brixton Tour.

Murals of Brixton

For those of you in London I WILL actually do this walk once my course is finished in July. The course contents and learning curve has proved to be a bumpy ride so far. and I’m hanging on as tight as I can, not quite sure if I will make it. Consequently, long and official December walks have been zilch.

As far as I got was Rochester which wasn't as good as the last time I visited,I only took one photo which is of the Billy Childish Mural still there.

A friend and I visited the Cathedral and the Christmas market. The cute shops weren’t there and the stuff in the market wasn’t too great. I don’t know if the ‘proper ‘ market is on earlier in the month, where they sell real stuff as compared to Plastic Christmas junk. I didn’t bother taking pictures as there was nothing new there.

I really love this mural. The Brexit is Childish slogan was not in the original mural. It makes sense though. Bill Childish hasn’t commented on this as far as I’m aware.

I managed a couple of Hammersmith walks , before the sun went down. Lovely it was. I had been going to The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith from September to December in the evenings. A mixed bunch of people just getting together to sing old and new songs. Some Old Irish, many just popular songs. We did a little performance at The Irish Centre, just before Christmas It was great to sing A Rainy Night In Soho, with the group.

 

DRIFTWOOD, doing a Hammersmith circular via Barnes Bridge.

 

Anyone interested in learning music can find out more on the ICC website.https://irishculturalcentre.co.uk

The ICC have put on a lot of good shows, this year, and I was especially taken with the recent show Ocean Child with Stephen Rae narrating – accompanied byThe West Ocean String quartet. The story was inspired by the tragic sinking of the RMS Taylor off Lambay Island on January 21st, 1854.

OCEAN CHILD

“Written and composed by Neil Martin, a spoken narrative, drawn from contemporaneous newspaper reports and witness accounts, marries with an original score embracing string quartet, uilleann pipes, harp, flute, concertina, and boy soprano.” ICC website.

https://irishculturalcentre.co.uk/event/ocean-child-london-premiere/

As well I enjoyed Seeing Altan perform there. I only got around to uploading the cv Donegal, to baby Mac this Christmas evening.

Even More Irish stuff coming up next year as I go to see the Phil Lynott story at The Apollo Hammersmith.

December walks

I have rejoined a walking group and going to start walking with the Hampstead Group not because I want to hang out with posh people, but just for a change. I think I have done every walk with the SouthBank and as well I want to get more familiar with Hampstead Heath and beyond.

I may have mentioned last month that I had been hanging about Hampstead a bit due to meeting a friend who lives near there. We started creating a walk there, to be continued in 2026.

I will be walking somewhere in Austria in early January. A friend has asked me along to keep her company. It’s never been on my places to visit list as such, but I’m starting to look forward to it.

A DAY OUT IN ROCHESTER 2021 One of my earlier posts about Rochester.

It is the end of 2025 and I have managed TWO YEARS BOOZE FREE

I have to say it’s been a journey. Not easy, but very rewarding. Nothing is ever the same and the memories come flooding back. (what ?! ) Yes all of them, especially the ones you try to drink to forget.

However you have to take the rough with the smooth and it’s not all bad.

Happy New Year 2026

This is taken from a walk a couple of years ago, in December along the seafront, walking from St Leonards to Hastings.

A piece of the Berlin Wall, outside the Imperial War Museum.

Looking towards Big Ben en route to The Garden Cinema in Parker Street, Covent Garden.

I love this time of the day, about an hour before dusk. Walking through Ruskin Park Camberwell, down to Herne Hill.

Nov
30
2025

What’s Going on?

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What’s going on indeed? Or Diary of a trainee Tour Guide

I enjoy doing the research but I’m still struggling with the spoken content part. It was quite nerve wracking on the day. As a trainee Tour Guide, there is a lot to learn, but the content (the bit that most of us focus on) only counts for about 30% of the marks to pass.

This mural is a tribute to Marvin Gaye and a homage to  the 1981 Brixton Riots.

Mural By Dreph.

 

The Mural was painted by an artist called Dreph, the mural is situated on Canterbury Cresent on the side of International house and a stones throw from Brixton Police station .https://dreph.co.uk/portfolio-item/press/

My 1st designed walk for the exam will be about Brixton Murals, so watch this space.

Black Cultural Archives,

Black Cultural Archives.

 

https://blackculturalarchives.org

I found researching the history of Black Cultural Archives particularly interesting and went off down a few rabbit holes. My interest in British History is now open again.

TO COLLECT , PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE THE HISTORIES OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN CARIBBEAN DESCENT IN THE UK AS A SOCIETY LEARN FROM PAST WORK TOWARDS A MORE RACIALLY JUST FUTURE FOR ALL

It is a beautiful Grade 11 Listed building, (National Trust building,)  previously The Raleigh building, among other things it was a Cinema Museum.

Partially derelict by the 80s’ with only a few minor retailers habitant the building, it wasn’t  making money,  and by the 90s’ was abandoned.

By 2014 it was gifted to the Black Communities who had worked together since the 1981 riots, in various spaces and at last found a home to create a future space for Events to celebrate the experiences of Black people.

Moving on to Vauxhall

My next venture was to speak about Lambeth Palace & a hidden Book Publisher in Vauxhall. Walker Books.

I won’t give all of my secrets away but there is one ‘secret’ building in Vauxhall that was never really well hidden. Do you know what it is? No prizes for guessing.!

Despite the freezing cold and nerves we did have fun.

Beautiful, Tudor Palace Gate entrance to Lambeth Palace.

 

Keeping going.

As I’m almost unemployed and only working 1 day a week, I have more time on my hands, so I’m making sure I keep doing my usual walks up the river and as well Have been visiting Hampstead Heath a fair bit.

I may start leading an Ad Hoc walk in Hampstead Village during the spring to keep in practice.

A short walk from Teddington to Richmond. I love the small orange boat against the Autumn Trees.

 

Tree throwing shapes along the river bank.

 

November has been one of the most challenging months this year, oh, except for January to October! ha ha, and I’m happy that it’s nearly Christmas so can take off the pressure of looking for more work to do.

 

Until next time keep on keeping on.

 

Oct
31
2025

Lambeth Tour Guide

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Training to be a Lambeth Tour Guide.

Old war bunker near the war memorial in Stockwell Lambeth London.

 

London-Free Tour Guide Day

There were several free walks led across London, the 1st weekend of October, As part of our homework, we were encouraged to go on two and one had to be Stockwell.

The 2nd one I chose to go on was around Tottenham Court Road more specifically, near St Giles. Our job was to listen and observe, then to feedback in class the following week.

A bit of respite from the howling winds, that have unleashed this morning, a visit to the community gardens near Seven Dials Covent Garden

 

 

Denmark Street ( once known as Tin Pan Alley. ) It’s been cleaned up considerably but most of the guitar shops are still here.

 

On Sunday a friend and I went to the unique Chelsea Physic Gardens.

what a beauty.

A young Pomegranate starting to bud.

I will be painting these at Christmas. If Christmas is still a thing next year you might get it on a card then!

Pomegranets continued.

 

I was thrilled to get a student discount!

As a new student to Morley College I got a discount. The Physic Gardens, is a place that I have visited several times- it was a pleasure to introduce a friend who hadn’t been before,  she absolutely loved it and we will go back to the Christmas fair.

Once upon a time, I did the initial training, to be a garden guide, after a couple of sessions, it was clear I knew absolutely nothing about horticulture .

Perhaps my knowledge is better now but not that much. We had a fantastic guide who inspired and educated us about the plants.

Her knowledge and flow came from years of diligent training, her passion and deep understanding of Botanical history, alongside with a love of sharing information.  It was wise of me to stick to what I know best, – the streets of London.

Another Tour Guide at London Wetlands

I was invited to take part in a meeting with the charity  World Animal Protection. It was informative and educational. Despite some of the harrowing stories about so many exploitive conditions animals endure in the world, the day was a positive experience.

The charity have done fantastic work and continue to do so and I would urge anyone with a spare few quid a month to donate to World Animal Protection.

After the talks

After the talks, we were invited to a tour of the Wetlands centre, I was surprised how lovely it was and would recommend it for a day out.

London Wetlands, is between Putney and Hammersmith and you can access it, just off the river bank. It is clearly signposted.

it was fun walking the bridge, one of the contributors, takes the plunge.

View from the observation gallery

 

Autumn Colours

swans

Open space in London Wetlands.

Always great to see a Cormorant .

Tree Sculpture.

 

https://www.worldanimalprotection.org

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on

After all of the tour guides I felt a need to get out of London for a day and have a proper hike, two of us went off and did a circular Lewes walk via Rodmell, about 12 miles in all. It was a great walk.

Lewes circular walk

Start of the walk, along the river

loved this cart of hay.

Great to see the cows out and about huddled together for a drink of water.

 

Shooting pheasant

The only downside of the Lewes walk, was the sight of men in tweeds with rifles out for a day shooting birds. I’m sure they lack imagination if that is their idea of fun.  It’s the 1st time I have ever come across this while out walking in that areas.

Final Tour of the year.

As part of my course, I was encouraged to join a few societies, I got a Bursary from Brixton Society for my course at Morleys and with that free membership to Brixton Society and  also joined Herne Hill  & Camberwell societies.

Camberwell Society

I have walked up and down Camberwell Grove and Grove Lane hundreds of times. These walks were a lifeline to me when working full time in Jenny Lee House Love Lane Camberwell.One of many beautiful Georgian Houses in Camberwell Grove.

Who lives in a house like this? ( Uk tv show) I suspect a lot of media types. One of the hosts, had an invite to an event at Buckingham Palace on her fireplace, and covers of the Radio Times framed up the staircase.

 

Camberwell Georgian Building Tour

We went into five different houses; all with very different interiors. They were a friendly bunch and very keen on architecture We saw Lorraine Chase (Luton Airport, actress) who lives in Camberwell Grove, who still is chirpy and waved and said hello to us all.

Good on the homeowners being so generous to let a bunch of nosey people into their houses!

https://www.camberwellsociety.org.uk

Until next time, keep on keeping on.

 

Sep
30
2025

BRUGES

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I’ve been wanting to visit Bruges for a long time, and eventually managed to get to there via Eurostar in September.

Somewhat surprisingly, I’m still on the 0% and this was a fabulous tasting drink.

 

What can I say except, Magnificent.

The 1st evening there was a walkabout & getting out into the suburbs away from the centre. I personally preferred this area as it was quiet. I don’t enjoy being in crowds.

 

Yet another beautiful building. Bruges is full of them.

 

EATING OUT IN BRUGES

I could write a lot about food or the trouble finding food.  As  I  have adopted a mainly vegan lifestyle,  it gets a bit frustrating, and overall Bruges is not that vegan friendly. At least in Bruges I got to say, “sans fromage” and they knew what I meant.

GETTING BY

YOU CAN just about get by,  and on the 1st night the chef rustled up something up for us, it was spaghetti with vegetables, very simple and quite tasty.

We had an Indian curry in a proper Indian restaurant, one evening, and a curry from Delaney’s the Irish pub, on the last night, the latter was tremendous for the bowel movements I have to say.

It wasn’t until after the trip that I found a vegan blogger from Bruges who listed a whole load of places that will or won’t accommodate vegans. However some of them wanted you to write and email two days before to let them know your coming. That was a bit much. 

EATING OUT CONTINUED

Another place that I quite liked and I really don’t know why the UK can’t do it, was a soup place, they just did sandwiches and soup. I got a mushroom soup, –sans fromage , as you can get a cheesy panini on the side, I just had bread, they also give you a small apple with it , which was really cute.

DANKE JU- MERCI and DAG

I thanked the woman and complimented her on the soup she had cooked. I told her how difficult it was to get a bowl of soup in London. she was surprised. By the way when I was doing a mock website design for my diploma in social media I designed a site called soup kitchen- I had in mind a cosy place in Camberwell for the hospital workers, it could definitely do with one.

PS some of the people speak a sort of French, and some a bit Dutch, it was a bit confusing. All of the places had various menus for the main languages. I learnt that Dag is a colloquial /casual word for goodbye. 

THAT’S TOAST.. 

This was breakfast place for 4 mornings. I discovered overnight Bircher muesli & it was delicious, I had overnight oats before but this was better with fresh apple slices on the top, raspberries and blueberries. The menu is far from vegetarian but there are options to make up your own menu.

https://www.thatstoast.com/

A charming building, open all day for breakfast.

Flamboyant grand old buildings In Burg Square -the soul of the city.

Some of the oldest buildings in Bruges, were built  back in the Middle Ages. This Photo was taken from the top of a Museum.  Inside we saw the 3D experience of medieval Bruges which was fantastic.  I was literally hanging on to my seat – we were on a virtual a ship journey across choppy waters. Very realistic. We also visited a Witches museum and a Salvador Dali exhibition; as well as the inevitable Beer Museum.

The canals really keep the air crisp and clean, it makes a pleasant city to walk about. This pretty canal was a 5 minute walk from the place we were staying.

 

A country walk Bruges centre to Damme.

There are a few canals going through the city and one that goes all around it. The air feels very fresh. Walking out of the main centre to the country walk. e had followed the canal out of town, then crossed a very busy road, to get onto the canal leading to a long path towards Damme a small town.

 

Recently I have started taking a photograph when I come across a dead creature, I thought the bird looked quite beautiful.

On the country walk I came across this guy, deceased – no signs of anything lethal like a gun or an animal attack. I love wood pigeons purple and grey colours.

BLACK CLOUDS CREPT IN AND THERE WAS NO ESCAPE walking along Side of the Poplar trees, which weren’t quite big enough to protect us from rain.

The heavens opened half way on this ‘country walk’, a straight canal for about 5 miles, so half way down , you had to keep going, coming back we realised we could get the Paddle boat but only so far, then as we got of it to walk the remaining 3 miles the Sky’s opened again

what a picture. Get the easel out.

 

We got to Damme which was a smallish village, with a few bars, and cafes. At this point, it was a tough decision about the next move. There was a debate whether to walk back, or take the imaginary bus journey my partner had made up, or the real possibility of getting on this very slow paddle boat up stream. I was accused of being a pessimist when I predicted it would start raining as soon as we got off. It did and we got soaked for the 2nd time that day.

 

A day out at the beach

A short journey from Bruges (25 minutes) and we got to  Knokke, just past some shipping ports. It had a smart continental style high street, with good shops and plenty of places to sit down and eat.

A day out at the seaside, so nice to feel the sun on our face after yesterdays downpour.

Greetings from a Belgian Seagull, who was very well behaved, unlike a Margate or Devon seagull…

 

The last day in Bruges

It was somewhat hectic. We had to vacate the building by 11am but our train wasn’t until 2pm,. The plan was thus, after eating breakfast at Toast (about a mile away from where we stayed and not open until 8.30am)  it was a rush back, to pack the bags leave them outside in the hallway and  back out to join the walking tour from 11-1pm.  I’m planning on becoming a tour guide, & thought it was the least I could do., It probably would have been better doing that on the 1st or 2nd day.

The tour was interesting, but don’t ask me to repeat it verbatim. something about Napoleon developing street numbers and names, and where to drink beer and waffles in the main!!

I have finally signed up to the Tour Guide training course at Morley College Lambeth.

The research role is just about finished and I’m down to 2 days a week and not for too much longer, I will put the rambling aside for the next 6 months to focus on this and finding paid work .

Meanwhile back in London

London never ceases to amaze me, I met up with my new group of wannabe Lambeth Tour Guides at Waterloo station under the clock and one of the teachers took us on a how to guide people in London walks.

She discussed landmarks and things to look out for. I was surprised when we walked into the cut situated in Waterloo and came across The Anarchist Bookfair.

Corner of Leake Street, Waterloo, Lambeth.

Anarchy in the UK. You wouldn’t get owt like this in Bruges!

Until next time keep on you know what….

 

Aug
31
2025

August 2025

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August last month of Summer

The. busiest month of the year so far with lots of activities in August as I try to cram in a few days out before the summer ends.

COACH TRIP -Suffolk

This is the 1st coach trip I have done in decades. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I enjoyed the trip. It was August and the need to getaway as much as possible is at it’s peak.

We met at St James park, picked up and driven out of London towards Essex then Ipswich way, where our 1st stop of the day was Southwold.

SOUTHWOLD

Southwold was described by Robert the guide, as a quintessentially English seaside town. Almost an island, being bounded by the North Sea to the East, by the River Blyth and Southwold harbour. There is just one road in to and out of Southwold, It has sandy beaches, a working lighthouse, multi- coloured beach huts and a pier.

After a 2 and a half hour coach ride, we arrived and this was the 1st thing I saw as we walked onto the Pier. I wasn’t expecting a mural of George Orwell. Apparently, he lived here some time ago.

Irena, checking the deets, on Orwell!!!

I made a recording of my reading, it was strangely very down to earth and practical!! No sweeping romantic speeches about meeting a dark tall stranger, or a win of the lottery.

These puppets made of some kind of metal, overturned to show all of those people looking happy when the guy didn’t smoke, the guy was the opposite, only happy when smoking. Pretty good.

This was one of the best and original piers, I have ever been on, lots of really quirky side shows, and experiences to try. https://www.southwoldpier.co.uk

 

After a quick wonder along the beach and into the town, we had a 10 minute sit on the beach

 

THORPENESS

The village of Thorpeness was purchased in 1910 by a business man, with the aim to transform it into a fantasy village, and designed a “house in the clouds” an unusual water tower with a boarded house on the top.

I tried to get photos but as it’s a lived in house, it’s protected by trees.

We had our lunch here and then walked about a bit under the hot sun, looking at the houses in the fantasy village. It wasn’t a place either of us fancied living. Even if we won the lottery!

The windmill was situated, just opposite the “house in the clouds”

 

Aldeburgh

I didn’t take too many photos, as we were enjoying roaming about looking at the buildings and shops. I liked Aldeburgh, it had a more down to earth feel about it. The only downside was the beach wasn’t sandy, but the upside was that because of that, there were less people.

a sole sea traveller.

 

As days go we got our moneys worth as we visited 3 areas in one day. I only wished I had known the agenda before hand and brought my swimmer.!

YORK

I had an excuse for a day out to York, when  meeting some family who were staying nearby for a while. After a pub lunch with the background of the racing on, we went to a Gallery and a boat trip.

The Castle wall of York. I wonder if the Grand old Duke of York marched his 10,000 men up there and back. We didn’t have time to walk the wall. Another time perhaps?

A beautiful town clock. Similar in style to the one I posted about in Guildford,

There are some beautiful buildings and looking up you can spot some fantastic artwork. The figure above is the Goddess of Wisdom & Drama.

Once the Yorkshire Herald. I like to see the old industrial buildings that were built for purpose and not ugly at all.

Boat trip.

It was interesting to visit York Art Gallery for the 1st time.

https://artuk.org/visit/venues/york-art-gallery-3650?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19345236166&gbraid=0AAAAADbRtmKEBkqsRN5xquSvf-tfGflCk

A lovely space without too many people in your face. (I have been living in London too long) Something you just can’t get in London. There was a mixture of collections, from Picasso to unknown artists, half animal/mythical creatures as statues.

An artist I quite liked as he played with words. Internationally acclaimed artist and writer Harland Miller’s  new exhibition showcasing paintings and works on paper from his renowned ‘Letter Paintings’ series.

A big IF! (If only if only if only ————————-

 

There were too many objects to mention in this post . Here are a couple of pictures.

Lets call him Harold, he’s pretty cute.

A pretty plate by Picasso. There was a lot of beautiful pots and jugs, the gallery itself, is a lovely space. I would totally recommend it.

YORK CAT TRAIL.

 So many shops are selling glass cat ghosts and other quirky/quaint, or tacky depending on your taste.

Apparently cat statues were a thing in medieval times to frighten the rats. All around the city you will find cat statues. They do a cat trial for fun, although we didn’t do that, we did spot 3 of them up perching in different positions by windows overlooking the River Ouse.

https://visityork.org/business-directory/york-cat-trail

Walking The Essex Way

This has been on the cards for sometime, I had intended doing it in May but my partner was tied up with other obligations. We did this as a joint effort as he is good at reading maps and I’m good at organising everything else.! Technical adviser, photographer, tickets and timetable, lunch advisor etc etc…

We got the train from Manningtree to Wrabness and it’s five minutes to  Black Boy Lane (I wonder what the significance of the name is ) Harwich is visible further down the lane.  Possibly something from the slave trade? Black Boy Lane leads to the house of Essex the house that Grayson Perry created.

Lunch stop, in church yard. It looks a bit dark & eerie in the picture, but was actually quite nice!

Walking The Essex Way

This footpath is a beautiful sight, it wasn’t that straightforward, due to coastal erosion, and the tide being in,

 Getting back to the station from Manningtree. We took the industrial main road route, which was a kind of downer, so that needs to be amended next time.

View from The Bird Watching Hut.

ESSEX SUNFLOWERS, doing their best. This bit is not too far from the Railway line.

 

BERWICK TO SEAFORD 30th August last walk of the month. I clocked up 15 miles on pedometer.

A moderately hilly walk but with two more strenuous hill climbs giving a total ascent of 1,500 feet. Starting from Berwick to the village of Wilmington with its ancient Church. Then a longer climb up to the Long Man chalk figure.

A Shetland pony, a long way from home. We came across these not far from Berwick (Sussex) station.

We expected rain but only got a few drops.

The sky was mainly clear with a bit of wind blowing about as we got nearer to the sea.

 

A climb down into Alfriston for lunch, followed by the second steeper climb up for dramatic views along the river to Cuckmere Haven & the sea. 

Exmoor ponies, enjoying grazing in the open space.

looking dow towards Cuckmere Valley

 

Ending at Seaford. A long day and a long night with aching feet and calves.

looking from Cuckmere haven near the Fishermans cottages out to he Seven Sisters, the sea was a bit rough today.

Until next time- keep on keeping on.