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Diary – 2014 March
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All my diary pages going back to 2009
DRAWING & PAINTING:
3 March
Went went to Danson Park in Bexleyheath to see if there were any signs
of Spring. It was cloudy and everything was still very muddy and puddly.
I was glad to see these miniature daffodils out near the car park. This
is Danson House which overlooks the whole park and the lake.
4 March
Today we went to Bromley. I like sitting on top of the bus at the front.
We went into Church House Gardens, behind Bromley High Street. The lands
falls away quite steeply and at the bottom is a bridge and a big pond.
On both sides of the pond, all the gardens are up lots of steep steps.
When we got to the top, the sun came out. I am glad we visited before
the leaves come out, as there is a really good view of the valley from
here.
This is on the steep slope on the other side, overlooking the children's
sandpit playground. It gets full sun all day and I am sure the sand gets
really hot in summer.
Back at the pond, we found the ducks asleep. This mossy branch was round
the side where people don't walk. Back at the top there were lots of
pigeons sitting in the trees to one side. In this top part there are
seats where office workers come out to have their sandwiches, and no
crumbs go unnoticed!
5 March
We went to Dartford. This is Dartford Public Library. I will definitely
be coming back on a more sunny day to get better pictures, and look in
the museum, which was not open today. The Library is in Dartford Central
Park. This stone bath looks interesting. I have heard of having a bath
before bed, but not a flower bed in bath!
We walked through the park and followed the River Darent for a little
way. These two ducks were swimming up to us, so we let them have a few
bits of our lunch buns.
Some people have been very artistic with this barn, which is colourful
but also blends in well. Here is an iron sculpture of the pop singer
Mick Jagger who was born in Dartford. He was well known for making this
pose when he was singing on stage.
The River Darent disappeared under a short bridge tunnel. We went up a
steep zigzag path. We crossed the main road, and found a footpath down
to Brooklands Lake on the other side. This is another one for my diary,
to come back when it is warm and the trees are green.
Here is the other side of the two bridge tunnels that the river goes
through. It was overflowing the footpath and the big gates were shut for
safety. Brown Teddy saw the national Cycle Network sign and asked if you
would stay dry if you were on a bike, but it is too dangerous for that
while the river is overflowing.
Back in Dartford town, I got some better photos of the milestone which
say 15 Miles to London on and 7 Miles to Gravesend. We found another
image of Mick Jagger, etched into the glass on the railway station
entrance.
On the railings opposite one of the platforms are quite a few of these
plaques showing old steam engines throughout history.
6 March
The riverside ducks here at St Paul's Cray are very well camouflaged
amongst the twigs. They stay half asleep even when people are about but
every now and then they open eye to make sure there is no danger. These
pigeons have a wonderful lookout post on top of the cut down tree. Only
the very top of the big tree was cut down so this point is very high up.
I can guess what they are looking out for! I am glad they are on the job
with the bread crumbs, as rats are quite a problem here due to
overfeeding.
This slowly collapsing willow looks as if it was too old and tired to
stay upright. Sometimes the branches root and put up new shoots, so I
will look out for that in the future.
This is the water going over the weir, and the second is a photo of an
old tree trunk left to rot, with flowing watery patterns along the wood.
Back home I checked Frog Corner in my pond. There is a load of frogspawn
and there is fortunately a big raft of weed for it to sit on.
All my crocus are out now, and I am making extra efforts to get around
and see them, and take photos, as they disappear so quickly. My indoor
cut flowers also deserve some photos, so that I have got them forever.
8 March
A pile of bread for the birds. There was not a lot of action over it,
but some were pecking at it leisurely. There is now a Council notice up
not to feed the big geese, and not to use white bread, but I think some
more notices in this area might be needed. There is plenty of grass for
the geese and weed for the ducks which will keep them a lot healthier.
10 March
We went to garden centre at Ruxley. I always enjoy going through the
turnstile, and hearing the clanking noises. We made straight for the
fruit trees section, and had a good look, but we were doubtful that
there is any room left in the garden for another apple tree.
I wonder what would happen if a robin flew into the garden centre and
decided to use one of these nest boxes! These red ones are no use to
birds, being bright red, and especially dangerous as the landing
platform is much too convenient for magpies and squirrels to stand on! I
think they are better used as indoor money saving boxes.
In the pet section, this leopard gecko was having a nap. The bearded
dragon sat very still but his eyes were following us around.
This is my favourite beautiful fish in the showcase window aquarium, I
only wish his aquarium was a lot bigger for him and his friends, who
keep growing and filling it up. These tiny fish are just like sharks.
At the back the chickens were scratching about and seemed very happy and
contented. Before we left, we had one last look at the artificial
flowers. You could spend a lot of money on a bower like this if you
didn't want to wait for real roses to grow up and over.
11 March
These stones near the underpass look just like speckled eggs, especially
with the soft moss inbetween. Inside I saw these lovely nylon flower
ornaments, but it would be a bit expensive as you need to buy lots of
them to get this effect!
I like topiary bushes and think these are called cloud clipped. The
sheep ornaments have resisted the urge to graze on the plants and
daffodils.
12 March
We went back to Danson Park. There were lots of crows about, who were
very quick to come for a few crumbs from our lunch. They don't come too
near, they stop at a certain distance and hope you will throw it a bit
nearer to them.
This baby wood pigeon was walking around looking for fallen crumbs. He
kept walking all the time and only noticed the crumbs and not the person
throwing them. This very bold great tit came swooping down for some of
the bits that the crows were not brave enough to come and get.
At the far end is a secret pond, with a little river flower out into the
big main lake. It is very quiet here, with a few ducks and lots of noisy
crows sitting about in the trees.
I think the woodpeckers have been drilling into this big old dead tree
which is at the end of the secret pond. The ducks like this high up
branch a very safe place to sleep.
This is the front of Danson House with a haha fence in front. This means
that there is a ditch in front, with a wall behind, so no-one can get
in, but the people in the house can look out without their view being
spoiled by any railings.
At the other end there is a daffodil woodland, with lot of little soft
leafy paths winding about. All the daffodils were out, and the sun had
come out as well.
13 March
We went to Well Hall again, to get more daffodil photos. Most of them
are out now, and the sunshine made our photos much better.
On our way home, we decided to get off the bus early and go to a nearby
garden centre that we haven't visited for quite a while. We had to go
through all the winding underpasses to get to it. This grassy ornament
looks like a fox.
I like this pyramid of polyanthus which gets a lot more flowers into the
same space. I really liked this fireplace, with lots of red and yellow
polyanthus done to look like the flames, with some logs underneath.
14 March
Another quick visit to Danson Park, for more crow photos. The second
crow has a few streaky and white feathers on his wings.
As soon as we moved away from the seat, they all came in to see what
crumbs have been missed. This park boot cleaner is a good idea, with a
scraper at each side, and brushes in the middle.
17 March
I got up really early and found the wood pigeon having a bath. They
usually like to sit and soak, and have a few splashes now and then. We
walked along the main road and got some good photos of the blossom
trees.
On the river we noticed this beautiful white duck, and its mate is a
little darker, with only white head.
While waiting for the bus, I enjoyed watching the demolition on the
other side of the road. When this piece of wall collapsed, we felt
the vibration through the ground, as well as the noise. I am glad the
dust was not blowing our way.
20 March
We walked from Welling to Bexleyheath as it was a warm sunny day. I was
amazed to see these beautiful bowling balls in a shop halfway along, and
I am sure the owners admire them on their shelves at home, even when
they are not using them at the bowling alley. Seeing the prices, maybe
they just keep them safe in a box away from being scratched!
21 March
I like to go to new places, but today we went back to Hall Place for
some more photos of the daffodils before they disappear. It was very
sunny and quiet. I really like these long and wide mown paths. It is
just like one of my favourite poems - we saw at least "ten thousand at a
glance" and the poem is Daffodils by William Wordsworth.
My other favourite part is these topiary yew bushes, some of which are
supposed to be chess pieces. I think this very neat one is a peacock,
with a curved tail spread out behind him. Further on, I am sure I saw a
robin go into this clipped yew bush, but you can't see inside. It must
be a very safe place to build a nest.
This beautiful blossom tree is by the bridge over the river. The
branches were all hanging down and blowing in the breeze. We could see
the yellow forsythia bushes from a distance, so it was easy to find them
and get good photos.
Brown Teddy's favourites are the white blossom trees. These big trees
were in flower, but we will have to wait a bit longer for smaller ones,
and then we can get a good closeup look.
This is an "Eye of the Pheasant" daffodil. Every time I see a different
one, I think it's my favourite, until I see another one! Brown Teddy
enjoyed the grassy paths, because you can't always see where it leads
until you go down it, especially if it goes round behind the big
evergreen trees.
This path led to some lovely heather beds with this clump of dogwood
with its orange stems, looking like a fire of twigs. This peeling bark
tree also looked on fire, as the sun was shining through the orangey
peeling bits and making them look like flames. If the sun was not out,
it would look very messy, but I think the amazing effect is worth the
wait.
24 March
We smelled a lot of the daffodils but they don't have much scent. All we
smelled was the mown grass and other planty aromas!
This stone ornament is still sitting here rather forlornly without any
name or explanation. It really should be in the middle of a miniature
maze, or a circle of smaller stones, or something, to make it more
interesting. It is very good for taking circular photos through, and for
pictures of us as well.
In the big glass house Brown Teddy was delighted to find this pineapple
plant, and the fruit was quite recognisable even though the plant was
very small. I think someone was having a joke with me, with this banana
peel on the banana tree, as I don't think the fruits ever ripen on these
trees!
Every time I look up and down the cactus bench, I can't decide which is
my favourite. But I do have a favourite pot, the big round one that has
patterns on that look like basket weave. I like to collect pictures of
wind vanes. The end of this one seems to have a leaf shape, which is
just the right thing for a garden.
27 March
I really like train journeys, as I can see all the countryside and there
are no traffic jams. Today we went to Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle
of Dogs. Mudchute is named from when they put all the mud here
from building the docks and dredging out the silt.
We went on the Docklands Light Railway. These trains don't usually have
a driver, but today we did, as there was a long tunnel, which was
interesting, but I am very glad not to spend too long in it, and see the
daylight coming.
In the park by the station, this row of brick arches made a very
interesting picture. This structure seems to be a climbing frame, with
lots of footholds. It's a good job it is surrounded by soft grass.
The grid near the pre-school has lots of wonderful cutouts of animals
all along the length. Here is the entrance to Mudchute where the City
Farm is. I think the gate is stop bikes going through, which would not
be a good idea in a farm park.
Further on there was another of these gates. I had to explain to Brown
Teddy how to get round the gate. You have to step to one side, swing the
gate a bit more, and then finish walking through. It would be a bit
annoying if you were hurrying through the rain, though! This is a pen
that would have had beehives in it, as can be seen by the bee shape on
top.
Yet another gate! The big exit gate has real doors though, which had a
wheel at one end as they are so heavy. We had a look but then went back
into the park to find the farm part.
This horse was managing to get his long neck down to the green grass on
our side. I said hello to the donkey, but he wandered off when there was
no food in sight. He and the horse had just been fed by the people in
front of us.
There is a big pen with lots of beautiful chickens and turkeys. They had
lots of shelters, logs and places to hide and play, and they can scratch
around and take dust baths. I am very glad that they have so much room
and they all looked very happy.
This sheep was hoping for a snack. You can buy special food to feed them
but they must not have bits of people's own food like bread. A lady had
some special food and these sheep were climbing up the fence so as not
to miss any. They have obviously done this before! You can buy Mudchute
sheep knitting wool from
www.mudchute.org
The llamas were taking it easy and the white one was snoozing. They
might be alpacas, I am not sure of the difference. The goat pen was full
of raised planks and logs, so that goats can hop and jump on them. The
goat area was a bit smelly, and am glad it was not a hot summer day!
Further downhill we visited the ducks and geese in their pen. They don't
get many visitors, so they made a big lot of noise when we came past.
They are all well fed and looked after, but I am sure people bringing
their special snacks is something that they did not want to miss. Like
the chickens, they have lots of shelters and a pond as well.
These are nesting boxes near the goose pen, but at first we couldn't
guess what birds they are for. I think it might be for the wild ducks
that visit the wildlife pond just below, as ducks do like to nest in
trees. Before we left, we saw this wonderful dragon ornament in one of
the flower beds. It is three bits that look like one dragon.
We walked along to the path that goes along the side of the Thames. The
"beach" is really a lot of old bricks, and I was puzzled about this,
then I remembered that ships used bricks as ballast a long time ago. We
walked all the way to Greenwich, and here is the view of the Royal Naval
College seen from the north side of the Thames.
We stopped in the riverside park and had our snack of bread and big
pieces of cheese. We then went to the foot tunnel entrance that will
take us over to Greenwich. This elevator shaft looked a bit scary as it
has a glass door and you can see the lift coming up. But it was quite
safe.
This is the old foot tunnel that goes under the river. Brown Teddy said
he was glad he did not have to walk it by himself. It dips down in the
middle and then slopes up towards the other end.
These are some stalactites hanging from the tunnel roof, I think they
are caused by the drips that come through the cement. The elevator back
up still has its original wood panelling and is very smart. I could just
imagine it as a very comfortable library with all my books along one
side!
This is part of a gate into the Royal Naval College, with King Nepture,
some shells, and a circle of ship's rope. In front of the Queen's House
were thousands of daffodils.
This display of anchors made us wonder what ships they were on and where
they were going and what adventures they had. The orange one is a
cutterhead, used for underwater dredging.
Here are some more anchors on the crest over the Greenwich Royal Hospital
"Otia Tuta" - otia means repose or rest, and tuta means safe. I think
all the sailors of the past would having been thinking about safe rest
when they were struggling in the gales at sea. We decided it was time we
went back home to our own safe haven, after all our long walks all day.
You can use the space on your 404 page to help find missing people by embedding info from notfound.org See Yellow Teddy's 404 page
Where to report a lost or found teddy or
toy in
the UK:
https://www.facebook.com/LostboxTeddyBears
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