Kensington Gardens – strange chestnuts and up close at the Albert Memorial

Saturday 8th November was a glorious day weather-wise – a perfect day for the Lordy Lady Mayor's Show, but this year I had something else to do – I had an appointment at the Albert Memorial for another up close look at the Parnassus Frieze, this time not just as the final stop at the end of the tours we volunteers lead for The Royal Parks, but a site specific visit to find out more about the details and the people on the monument. 

I approached from Kensington High Street and entered the gardens at this little gate opposite Victoria Road (shown here in 2022):

As I veered to the right, heading towards the South Flower Walk, I happened to notice some strange conker-looking things on the grass at my feet. These were more shrivelled than the horse chestnut's globe-like shiny battle fruits, and the casings around the them were not thick and prickly but thin and almost smooth, segmented into three parts and very easy to remove. They certainly were not sweet chestnuts either as the leaves weren't right. I suspected these trees were likely from Asia.

Just as I was about to walk away, two adults and a child came up to me and asked me if I knew what the tree was and the child asked if she could eat the nuts. Ooh no, I said, best not, don't risk it. I thought about doing a reverse picture search, but the battery on my phone was down to the red section and I was keen to save the tiny bit of juice I had left for the Albert Memorial. I gave them my card and, picking up a half-cased nut to take away as reference, I told them I'd write it up here if I found out any info.

So here we are. I did try doing the reverse image search thing later that day when I was fully-charged. I got nowhere fast. It kept telling me it was a horse chestnut. If I searched using a pic of the leaves I got something else entirely. I gave up and decided to return to the task another day.

Two days later, on Monday evening, I was at a London Historians event. I got chatting to a nice couple and asked if they'd had a good evening seeing at this was the first time they'd attended. Chit chat chitty chat and, blow me down, if I hadn't just introduced myself to Greg Packman, who is the Arboricultural Officer for The Royal Parks! How have I not met this man before?! He's a walking talking tree encyclopaedia! So, of course, I asked him about my nut case and before I could get to the end of my sentence he'd interrupted me with "Indian Chestnut" – it turns out there's an avenue of these Aesculus indica trees along the edge of the road. 

Greg leads tree identification walks, workshops and events in the parks as listed in this Facebook page – I'll definitely be joining in soon. 

Back to Saturday... waving goodbye to the people by the tree, I passed Esme Percy's dog fountain near the closed toilets just beyond the cafe/kiosk and headed down the flower walk towards the Albert Memorial. 

Incidentally, why can't these toilets be reopened, or the ones at Hyde Park Corner for that matter? I have collected a lots of pics of public loos in the past two years – another topic lurking in my To Do folder).

At the memorial Barbara led us around the monument pointing out the many references before we went inside the gates and up the steps to get a good look at the frieze and other details that adorn this OTT monument, a memorial that Albert had said he most definitely didn't want, because all his efforts had never been about himself but for the betterment of the masses. I wonder if the plans for the revamp and additional statuary planned for St James's Park to commemorate our late Queen will also be a bridge too far, as I very much doubt she would have agreed to a blingy wedding tiara replacing the understated Blue Bridge that currently crosses the lake. 

Boob job?

What a lovely few hours. I told everyone on the tour that we lead guided walks every month in Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and St James's Park, yet I've since learned that only the former is available this side of January. Such a shame. However, other events are available on TRP website here, or join me for one of my own tours.

Ha-ha. Very funny Mr Bridgeman.

Last week, on Londonist Time Machine, Matt wrote about some the wornderful details depicted in the Balloon View illustrative map of 1851. The view is looking from North to South: 

I was surprised that he hadn't made special reference to the delineating wall depicted twixt Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. This is a feature that I have been looking myself as further information when  leading tour groups for The Royal Parks. I had planned to dig out and collate my research and leave a comment, but other things got in the way so I parked the idea.

Well, blow me down if Matt didn't follow up in the next few days with a piece on that very subject here. He gives lots of info, but I'm here adding to the pot and throwing in a few curve balls, questions and comparisons. 

First, let's zoom in on the 1951 map to show exactly what I'm talking about. A wall is depicted on three sides of Kensington Gardens with three semi-circular bastions (North, Middle and South) on the eastern side followed by Google's satellite view today for comparison:

My pic below left show the remains of the ditch at the site of the North Bastion which can be found between the small children's playground and West Carriage Drive. An information board stands near the path, Buck Hill Walk:

When George II became king in 1827 he and his wife Caroline set about making their mark on his father's fusty old palace, in much the same way as Mr Tango Trumpington is currently doing with the East Wing of The White House. These important people simply want to make their mark.   

Caroline was keen to create larger palace gardens by nabbing a huge chunk of Hyde Park. In 1728 she engaged the services of Charles Bridgeman, one of the foremost landscape gardeners of that time, and he created features that still endure and delight us today, such as the formal paths and vistas, the Round Pond (which isn’t round) and the Long Water (which isn’t all that long). 

To delineate open park from formal gardens a wall was needed and, rather than creating one above ground, thereby restricting the view from the palace by drawing a line across the landscape, Bridgeman employed a sunken wall and ditch known as a ha-ha. I think it's fair to assume that the walls along the north and south side of the park would have been above ground. 

1851 vs 2025 Google satellite view. Hints of the North and Middle bastions are still evident today but the southern one has disappeared under the Serpentine Gallery

A close-up of what is now Serpentine North Gallery and out buildings, previously marked as 'Guard House' on the 1851 drawing. Part of the middle bastion's wall and ditch is still visible from West Carriage Drive as shown in the second image (rotated view) at the centre, between the trees. 

No-one has as yet come up with a good reason for where the name ha-ha derives from. It's suggested that it denotes exclamation/surprise. But this is clever, not funny. Or, perhaps, people thought it was funny when their friends accidentally fell down the ditch? Ha ha, you silly idiot!

Charles Bridgeman is often credited as being the first to create this kind of sunken wall. If that is the case, then surely he had some kind of name for it and had labelled it as such when he drew up the plan for the gardens. Or, whilst showing his designs to Queen Caroline, he might have said "here we have a bunkleditch" then, confused, she looked at the drawing and laughed favourably, and the name stuck. 

I have also heard that that sunken walls of this kind were already in were in place in France before Bridgman installed this one for Caroline, which would make his the first of its type in England, "and here we have a ha-ha". But again we have woolly hearsay evidence – where in France are/were those other examples? Why has nobody identified those locations

If it is indeed a french concoction, 'ha-ha' doesn't sound very French when you say out loud. Do French people really (also) say that when they are surprised?  I suggest it might be of French origin but the name was original name sounded similar to ha-ha we have ended up with a mis-pronounced and then mis-spelled name that over time has been poorly conveyed, as per many other mis-heard foreign words that we use today.

Having noticed that modern maps make no reference of this old wall, I've dug out some older maps to see how they change over time. It's interesting to also see how many of the other features within the park come and go and how names or uses of buildings have changed. Until the Victoria era, many maps of London do not show anything West of Knightsbridge, so the earliest depiction of the ha-ha is on Bacon's map published in 1888, shown below, left:

Bacon's map shows the ha-ha as almost as an intact feature, although I cannot prove that it actually was as the time. The entrance by the fountains (strangely not annotated) is marked as Buck Hill Gate and was later changed to Marlborough/Westbourne Gate. Note also the lack of other features within both parks apart from the statue of Jenner, moved here from Trafalgar Square after Prince Albert died. The second map is Philips colourful 1892 folding map showing that the Speke memorial has been installed. The path following the edge of the ha-ha is no longer shown. West Carriage Drive was then known as The Ring, part of the circular horse riding and carriage route within Hyde Park which includes North Ride, Broad Walk, Rotten Row, etc.

On both maps, the building that was the 'Guard House' on the 1851 drawing is now marked 'Magazine' which denotes a storage facility. This could allude to a shed for garden implements but it might well be ammunition, hence a magazine of bullets, or a box or container used for anything containing lots of stuff, whether items, words or information as in a printed pamphlet. Any information about what was kept here is welcome. Today the building is a gallery and restaurant.

The next two snaps are from Ward Lock's 1935 guidebook, left, and Bartholomew's Town Plan c1945, right.  

Ward Lock's 1935 map on the left shows the fountains as Water Works, yet Bartholomew labels them as The Fountains. It's interesting how similar these two maps are considering a war separates them, suggesting the two companies employed the same cartographer and Bartholomew simply rehashed the pre-war map. In both instances, a Refreshment House is shown where the South Bastion used to be (now the site of the Serpentine Gallery and seasonal pavilion). Also of interest is that Ward Lock, despite being a guide book, clearly didn't think that its readers would be interested in many well-known and long-established features within the parks such as the Peter Pan statue, the Dog Cemetery or the Bandstand. 

Moving on to the 1950s...

The map on the left is from the 1951 Baedeker guidebook. It's a delightful design, attempting to mark every tree and landmark. Note that the ha-ha is shown as if it's a distinct feature on the landscape and, whilst the southern bastion is no longer visible, the wall is depicted continuing southwards past the 'Tea Rooms' to Alexandra Gate at Kensington Gore.  However, there looks to be an error regarding the annotation of 'The Ring' which is placed west of the ha-ha along the footpath rather than on the road at the other side. I'm also confused by the label of Bennie's Bridge which needs further investigation. The 1953 Geographers' A-Z version on the right makes less off the ha-ha, enhances Peter Pan but omits Jenner. I wonder who they decided these omissions and inclusions.

The last two maps are also Geographers' A-Zs – the one on the left is from my hardback version, purchased in 1979 shortly after I first passed my driving test, here married with the 2001 large spiral bound cabbies' map book that sits adjacent to my desk.

The 1979 map looks friendlier in design and it shows more to see and do than the later version. It also includes the line of the ha-ha, disappeared/omitted from these maps by 2001.

That's it. I'm done.  

The Eyes of March

Yes, you read that title correctly – this is about Horseguards' Parade (where they march) and some intriguing markers I have espied during this month of March.
This first appeared on my Substack feed.

Walking across Horseguards’ Parade (possession or not? I say yes) with Chris, a lady who had attended the walk I had just led around St James’s Park* and, as I glanced down at the ground around my feet, I noticed the hint of a number 2 carved into a stone. Ooh. I cleared away the thin layer of chippings with my shoe and, as we discussed what this might signify, we spotted another marker to the left with a number 3 on it. 

How many times have I walked across here and not seen these before?!I say ‘walked’ but in truth I like marching across like a faux soldier, making that marvellous noise on the gravel. Schlerlump di dum, schlerlump di dum. 

Chris had been telling me that she’s a big fan of pomp and ceremony and often visits for changing of the guard and anything happening on or around the parade ground. She was as intrigued by the markers as I was. We decided they must be for the huge events here and surely there must be more of these markers, and so we scoured the ground to the left and right and forwards and backwards. I’d found a sleuthing partner! Aha! 

We found similarly-spaced markers bearing the numbers 3 and 4: 

This view is across the parade ground looking back to markers 2 and 3, Whitehall to the left, park to the right. 

The two pairs of numbers seem to be equidistant of the central line where we found larger grey stones with carved ruts in them that we summised might be used to park gun carriages, but I forgot to take photos of those. Convinced there surely must be pairs of markers bearing the numbers 1/2 at the southern side and 4/5 on the northern side, we hunted further but found nothing. We asked inside the museum. The staff at the counter also suggested that they were probably parade markers. 

I took Chris into the archway that leads to Whitehall and showed her the scratched graffiti that I wrote about here. We said our goodbyes and I returned to the parade ground to again search for more markers. 

 

A shadow selfie. Looks like I’m a bag lady on a beach. 

After five mins of gravelling I found a lonely 6 near the northern edge where the figure is oriented north to south: 

Despite some meticulous foot sweeping action to the 3&4 and back again, a number 5 was nowhere to be found. It must be there. It must be! 

I have an idea is that these mark the corners of the grandstands rather than stop/start points for the troops. I did spot some other intriguing (metal) things in this vicinity, but that can wait for another day. See you soon. 

 

*tours in The Royal Parks - have I not mentioned this? The St James’s Park tour includes pelican feeding and access to Duck Island, and there’s another walk I lead for them in Ken Gdns that concludes with access to the Albert Memorial. Find them here.

Remnants of Rachel Whiteread's 'House' on Wennington Green, Grove Road, East London

Wandering westwards along Roman Road recently from its welcoming arch at the Parnell Road seeing how the road has evolved from the wonderfully scuzzy and diverse market street I used to know in the 1970s when my friend's family lived nearby, I arrived at the junction of Grove Road and pondered whether to carry on to Bethnal Green, head south to Mile End, or go for wander along the canal to Hackney. There's lots to see here. Instead, I entered the green space opposite the St Barnabas church and revisited a patch of art history. 

Scrutinising the ground, I found what I was looking for. A couple terracotta bricks in an L shape were partially obscured by the grass so I scraped away at the area with the soles of my shoes to better reveal them, then repeated the process at other spots close by.

These are some of the bricks that indicate the outline of where Rachel Whiteread's 'House' used to be, at what was No.193 Grove Rd. To see the original house and the artwork's construction see this film on YouTube. It was here in 1993, that this major artwork was demolished as Rachel won the Turner Prize that year. 

For the life of me I still cannot fathom how that decision was made – the demolition, not the winner of the Turner Prize! It's akin to the destruction of the Art Deco Firestone Factory in West London. Had 'House' been on land that was earmarked for development and reconstruction then I might understand that its removal was necessary. But today there's just a large expanse of mown grass mostly used by dog walkers. 

30 years ago Rachel's star was in ascendance, yet a bad decision was made to remove her innovative and thought-provoking sculpture. It always seems to me in these situations that no-one wants the 'responsibility' to be the one who authorises a controversial decision that might rock the boat. No-one wants to be the person who instigates a U-turn. The powers that be, the pen pushers, the jobsworths, the complainers, the people unable to see further than their noses, the people who just do what they are told, the contractors, the "it's out of my control, I've got a bit of paper" people who justify themselves by carrying out orders and not being personally responsible for these things. All exacerbated by non-thinking fools who just repeat whet they see in the tabloids about an 'ugly lump of concrete' yet rarely do readers visit the project themselves or attempt to understand the rationale, the meaning, the relevance to local and social history that is being told.  

People who did notice me taking pics and pacing out the ground simply looked at me like I was a bit bonkers. Which I'll accept! Had they known what I was doing I am sure they'd have come over for a chat as I was being rather obvious about it.  Ah Well. What's gone is gone. All that's left, three decades later, is a few bricks in the grass, but there's no explanation for them. I had expected to find something of that kind attached to one the benches that sit in the long grass within the plot, but no. 

Something else I noticed that day, which I thought was bizarre, was the nearby two picnic benches: 

These both had small cushions on them at the corners (not fixed in place) and one had a briefcase at one edge and a clip board at the other. It looked a bit religious, as if some people had just had a meeting and then wandered off, leaving their stuff behind. Is it always like this? Or was it just on that Saturday?

Then I noticed, between the adjacent bushes, some remnants of cushions and other food-related rubbish, plus a discarded Tigger stuffed toy. Looks like a dog had attacked a family picnic! 

What's that all about?!

Gillespie Park Nature Reserve – if the flowers start to grow, do you pick them? No no no!

I went for a wander around Gillespie Park earlier this week. I often do when I am close by. It's lovely there. It's like entering into an old woodland or part of Epping Forest because it feels like it has been there forever. Yet this magical space has only existed since the reserve was created in 1983. Prior to that, this was part railway sidings and part Stephen's Ink factory. 

I sat and watched butterflies. I listened to birds. I gazed up and around myself and sighed happily. But I couldn't see any fish in the pond. I decided to take snaps of the many signs dotted around the reserve. All very informative, but many are also inadvertently amusing, telling us about pirhana goldfish and annoying spotty people.  

Re the content, whilst I forgive the children for their amusing errors, I can't excuse the use of poor grammar in some of the other signs, many of which I have seen in parks all across the metropolis. But hey.

Today, this 2.8 hectare space, is a haven for many species of flora and fauna within its various areas of grassland, woodland and ponds. The Islington Ecology Centre at the Arsenal station end provides a lots of information and resources and, as such, is a marvellous learning hub for the local schoolchildren who visit here. It was built as the borough's first carbon neutral building and boasts many eco-friendly features though, as you can see from one of the pics above, the wind turbine that powers the buildings is no longer functional and a new source of energy is being devised.

If you haven't ventured up and into here, then I really do urge you to do so, because it's a delight. Though please take note that only a small section is available to dogs (accessible via where it says 'you are here' on the map below). Once you know it's there, you will, like me, make a detour if you are in the vicinity.

On exiting from the stairs at the Finsbury Park end, I often feel as if I have just emerged from a secret enchanted place and am now back in the real world. Do check out the three mosiac panels on the wall there as they are delightful too.

Gillespie Park and Ecology Centre – more info here

 

Pre-occupied during Covid-19

Oh dear... I let this site slip.
These past few months I have been going out for lots of long walks, finding new things and taking lots of photos. But when I get home, the lack of a 'normal' daily routine means I get distracted and absorbed by other things such as the research about the buildings I have just seen and the tangents that info leads me on to, that I just run out of time to sort the photos and compile them into something coherent for here.
Also, I now finally have the time to research two different sites in Islington that are both minimally known about. It's become so time-consuming and what I thought would be a few pages of extra notes now looks like two books. Ooh, I'm a writer!
All these people who say they are bored lately are just plain boring themselves
Here's a pic from one of my wanders, nothing to do with the reaserch mentioned above, but just a nice image of Highbury Fields at 6pm on May 14th just after they said we could all go out again:

Which reminds me...
Highbury Fields features on my Green and Pleasant Islington guided walk which I'd be happy to lead for anyone who is interested. Other tours for small groups available. More info here.

Camden Highline – a linear park between Camden and Kings Cross

Last month I went on a tour to find out more about this innovative crowd-funded project to turn the disused railway lines that abut the Overground railway in NW1 into a linear park.

I will say no more except this this a fab idea – hopefully in 4-5 years time we will be enjoying a traffic-free experience above the roads, linking all the new developments at Kings Cross with Camden Market.
Free one-hour tours (at street level) still available.
See here for more info.

Freightliners Farm

It never ceases to amaze me how many people who live in Holloway don't know that this is here.

I am here only showing images of the lovely tiled panels on the exterior wall but the other side of the wall is a marvellous surprise. Being a farm, it is more of a hands-on experience and to hard to capture in photos.
This "community space in the heart of Islington" has lots to see and experience for all ages. And a fab café too.
Go find out for yourself or come and discover it on one of my walking tours and find out about many more green places and things in the area.

Info: Freightliners Farm.

Dick Whittington's Cat

Turn around turn around Lord Mayor of London.
For almost 700 years people have been relating the story about how young Dick Whittington was leaving London after realising the streets weren't actually paved with gold after all and, when climbing what is now Highgate Hill, he heard the sound of Bow bells calling him, predicting a bright future.
He is often depicted dressed like Errol Flynn in Robin Hood mode, carrying his meagre belongings tied in a handkerchief knotted onto a stick, accompanied by a cat, usually a black.
The Archway area has a few places named after the man which include the hospital and health centre and a park (see my last post). And it was whilst walking through the park last week that I thought to put this cat collection together.

The memorial to the story now sits just up from Magdala Avenue on Highgate Hill but as shown in this c1910 postcard the railed-in cat used to be sited outside the original Whittington and Stone public house on the corner of Macdonald Road. It stayed there well into the 1960s as shown by the third pic.

A fabulous view of Whittington Hospital's metal cat sculpture and beyond can be seen from the outpatients department. The Whittington and Cat public house on Highgate Hill has been converted into flats but branded lettering still hangs on for dear life. The last pic is of a lovely old toffee tin I gave my friend Jen as a present because she lives near here.

Three cats from Whittington Park, all very close to the main Holloway Road entrance; topiary, tiles and wall art.

Read about Dick Whittington here.

Update (Dec6th): My good friend Jen Pedler is now leading a marvellous guided tour all about Mr Whittington – 90-minutes long, starting and ending at Bank tube station. Booking here.

Whittington Park Cafe – colourful, tasty and great value for money

Wandering through Whittington Park yesterday morning on my way home from my osteopath I popped into the Whittington Community Centre on Yerbury Road to drop off some leaflets about my walks but with a rumbly in my tumbly I decided to stop for sustenance in the cafe.
And I am so glad I did – I am quite fussy about my coffee – I like it strong and black and usually ask for a double espresso with hot water on the side so I can top it up to just the right mount. The lovely lady behind the counter did that for me and it was perfect. Add a slice of the most delicious bread pudding ever and the bill was a measley £3.00.  Why do people frequent chain cafés when fab places like this are so much nicer, so much friendlier and so much better value for money?

My pics here do not do the place justice – lots to do, lots to see and all in the lovely setting of Whittington Park.
Click here to find out more info about the community centre.

Follow the Light Trail at Kew Gardens 2016

Colourful loveliness.

Kew Gardens Christmas Lights Trail 2016

I especially loved the fields of colour-changing musical little balls on sticks, the large white lilies and some of the older trees such as Turner's Oak benefitting from some good lighting (second pic bottom row).
We went there on 29th Dec which if you recall was a really cold evening. Though a bonus was that the sprinkling of frost on the grass made another reflective panel for the colourful lights. See more pics here.
Here's a link to my last visit in 2013 which on reflection I think was a  more magical experience – I don't recall there being a small funfair or so many booths along the trail selling things such mulled wine, honey mead, marshmallows and gingerbread. Oh well, that's progress for you.
Nevertheless; it's a joy.
There are only two days left to see this though it looks to be fully booked so make a note in your diary for next year.
As we walked back towards the station we noticed Jack Frost had been busy making some amazing patterns on some of the cars. I haven't seen the like of that since the on my bedroom windows when I was a child.

Jack Frost woz ere

Brixton Windmill

Did you know there is a fully-functioning windmill in the back streets of Brixton within the aptly named Windmill Park?

A windmill has stood on this site since 1816. This is one of only a handful left standing in London. The bonus is that this mill, rather than having been turned into living space, or similar, produces an excellent finely-ground flour which is available to buy in the adjacent cafe. Also available; tours, events, arty things, children's activities and more besides – see here

On the streets nearby I spotted some other these nice things:

The side of the old Ace cinema, a lovely decorative street sign for Blenheim Gardens, a simpler one along Brixton Hill where a stretch of shops was known as The Pavement, and layers of faded and peeling red paint on a pillar box.

Brewfest - Bank Holiday Weekend August 2015

Yesterday I went to check out Meantime Brewing Company's Brewfest 2015 in the shadow of the O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula. The event continues today and tomorrow too and I recommend it. Even in the rain!
Going to a beer festival is a bit like a taking a test as much cross-referencing in the catalogue is required to read about the different beers. But it makes it more fun and you get to chat to the staff and swop feedback with other customers.
I tasted/tested/supped some lovely ales (avoiding lagers and stouts) and can report that of the ten I tried (calm down; these were little 1/3 pint glasses and I was with a friend!) my favourites were Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar (from USA), and Schönramer Dunkel, St. Bernardus ABT and St. Bernardus Blanche (all German).
There are also spirits, cocktails and even alcoholic iced tea available plus a few tempting food stalls.
It was such a shame that the weather kept the punters away as earlier in the day we'd enjoyed lazing about on the grass and listening to the live music.

So, wet already, we went for a stroll in the rain around the Thames Path all the way to Greenwich....

Top: the event itself looking damp and grey
Middle: Pic1 in places The Thames Path around the O2 feels like a prison enclosure.  Pic2 the most 'interesting' cladding on the peninsula.  Pic3 a view of the Dangleway (prob not the best day to get a good view!).  Pic4 intrepid dome walkers on the roof of the O2 (again, prob not the best day for it!)
Bottom: Pic1 it's art Jim, but not as we know it. WTF is it supposed to be?!  Pic2 birds on the foreshore.  Pic3 why? do they?  Pic4 view to the Isle of Dogs 

Whittington Park's hidden mural

Whittington Park near Upper Holloway Station is just a short walk from my house. I often go there to sit, meet friends, relax, attend events or just people-watch.
I met a friend for some tea and cake at the park's cafe recently and then showed her the little wooded area that abuts the back wall of Yerbury Primary School. Walking through there in the past I had half-noticed that there was paint on the walls but hadn't ever taken a closer look. Jen always has a camera hanging round her neck and so we investigated further.

The first two rows show the mural.
The images in the bottom row show the construction of some hideous container-style apartments being built along the Wedmore Street side of the park, some lovely meadow flowers and thistles, and a tree with a face.

On closer inspection we found, hidden behind the climbing plants and graffiti, an old well-painted mural depicting people partaking in different kinds of sport. The only ones we could identify easily were table tennis and football. A woman in a striped dress and hat may have been intended as a spectator or just a park-goer.
I have no idea how when this mural was painted but suspect it's at least 20 years old judging by the Gary Lineker style shorts on the footballers.
Any info welcomed.

Holloway Hullabaloo and The Big Day out in Whittington Park

My local arts festival is now in full swing.

On Sunday, 7th June, there will be a vibrant street party called The Holloway Hullabaloo (try saying that when you're drunk!) in Hornsey Street (at the side of Holloway Road tube station) and I will have a table there selling some of my photographs as prints and greeting cards, plus a small range of my clay pipe jewellery, accessories and cards.
I will also be at The Big Day Out in Whittington Park, near Upper Holloway train station (map), on Saturday 13th June where there will be stalls, entertainment, a dog show and much more.
Hope you can come along.
Here are some pics from last year:

Hornsey Street on the left hand side and Whittington Park bottom right

CityShowcase Market at Embankment Gardens

Warning!!!  This is a blatant plug!!!

Those of you who have followed my clay pipe creations will be aware that I have been promising to produce a range of London landmarks to complement the Pete and Joe cards.

Well... (drum roll please) ... I can announce that they are hot off the press this week and will available to buy from Yours Truly this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Embankment Summer Market.

Also see the #CityShowcase website.

If you can't get to the Embankment Gardens please see my online store.

Tufnell and Dartmouth and Waterlow Parks

Out for a afternoon stroll recently, I found myself at the Tufnell Park Station junction. Crossing into Dartmouth Park Hill to take a snap of the Boston Arms looking wonderful against the crisp blue winter sky, I realised I had never walked the full length of that road, so up the hill I ventured...

Dartmouth Park Hill is actually two hills; heading northwards from The Boston, there is one ascent, then a flat bit, then up it goes again all the way to where it meets Highgate Hill opposite Hornsey Road. 

Just past Dartmouth Park Road, on the flat bit, is an old in-wall Royal Mail letter box. I stopped to take a crappy out of focus picture and wondered if the rather impressive chunky post that surrounds it was built especially to hold the red metal or was part of a pair of gateposts, as per the two larger ones near the junction of Lady Margaret Road on nearby Tufnell Park Road. I wonder if it/they could be part of the Earl of Dartmouth's original estate buildings?

I then crossed the road to look at what can be seen of the covered reservoir. There's not much visible from street level just a metal ventilation pipe, some nice sloping grass and a non-slip surface. The two tanks cover rather a large area though despite what this map shows only a small piece of land around the edges is actually parkland.

Opposite the reservoir is a house that looks like a hangover from the 1970s – the bright yellow walls and purple front door look more completely out of place. I am sure it wasn't this colour a few years ago – I may be wrong, but, being so bright I am sure I would have noticed it before.  

Looking down Chester Road I stopped to to admire the spire of St Michael's, Highgate Village, hovering like a beacon above the trees and houses.

I continued up the second hill section, past the old original buildings at the rear of Whittington Hospital and then entered Waterloo Park. 

A gorgeous little dog amused me and others as she ran up trees. She didn't appear to be chasing squirrels, just having fun. She'd get perhaps 3 metres up, turn, jump down and then run up the next one. Lovely.

I then exited the park into Swain's Lane opposite the Highgate Cemetery entrance and was half way up the hill before I realised that I still haven't walked the full length of Dartmouth Park Hill.