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Diary – 2019 February
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All my diary pages going back to 2009
DRAWING & PAINTING:
2 February
This is my local station with lots of engineering work going on, and
tracks being re-laid with all this granite chipping. We had to change our
travel plan as there were fewer trains directly up to London.
We went to Upminster which on the north-east edge of London. We sat in the park for our sandwiches but the breeze was a
bit chilly, although the sun was trying to come out.
Then we took a bus to another shopping place and went past the ancient
Upminster Windmill which is being refurbished. A master craftsman in the
Netherlands has been repairing the wooden machinery and when finished the mill
will be in working order. I can't wait to visit but it won't be entirely
finished until spring of next year. Further along the road is The Windmill
pub.
14 February
Today we went to Hall Place gardens to see what spring flowers might be
out. The geese were keeping the grass short.
I like the turf maze, as all the ridges of the circles are full of
crocuses.
Another old millstone has been placed near to the maze. The sunken
garden is now open again, as the walls have been repaired and made safe.
There were lots of clumps of these delicate small daffodils out in a
long sunny border.
15 February
Today we went to Hampton Court. We went through Bushy Park. Here is an
old village pump, placed up on a stone plinth. Lots of the tall trees
are full of mistletoe.
All the trees are protected by fences, as this is a deer park. This hole
is the only clue that a magnificent tree once stood here.
There are some canals and a small lake with lots of water birds. I like
it when the sun is sparkling on the water.
Further along is the big circular Diana pond and monument. The cormorant
has got the best drying out place in the area.
We then reached the Thames, went over the bridge and walked down to Molesey Lock.
The lock was being repaired, so we spent some time watching the weirs.
Only the lock keepers can go along this walkway, so we had to make do
with zooming in the camera. It is quite noisy with the constant rushing
water over a wide stretch of river.
On the way home the train went through Thames Ditton Station, where they
always have planters and wheelbarrows of flowers.
17 February
We made another visit to the National Gallery in central London. There are so
many big complicated pictures that I like instead to just look for the
little details like animals and plants. I think the peacock is about to
hide in the bushes while the leopard is occupied with something
in the grass. I really like these lovely soft doves sitting in a basket.
This lamb is sitting on a bible, so it represents the Lamb of God. These
flowers in the corner looked very real, as if they are standing out from
the picture.
Back out in Trafalgar Square, we found these measurement plaques on the
stone walls below the big stairway.
We sat by the river to eat our sandwiches. Here is a tourist's dream
picture, red London buses across the entire bridge. But not much fun if
you are a tourist sitting in the traffic jam.
19 February
At last all the crocuses in the garden are out and fully open in the
sun.
20 February
This is a Ffestiniog And Welsh Highland Railways engine and coach on display in
King's Cross Station foyer.
This third class carriage is very smart but it has hard wooden seats.
Maybe they had cushions in the first class one. The window is closed by
pulling on the leather belt on the door.
This is the magnificent St Pancras Station. Inside at the back it is
much more modern.
Behind King's Cross and St Pancras is the Regents Canal and its lock,
where we saw a small barge go through.
This is Gasholder Park where luxury flats have been built in and around
the original gas holder frame. There is a small green space for sitting
in. The ceiling and columns are mirrors, so as you walk the views keep
disappearing and reappearing in the mirrors, including the pigeons. We
walked back to Coal Drops Yard. I like these fountains, they have a
repertoire of patterns. At first they were going up and down suddenly,
making a sound like marching feet. Then a little later they were going up
and down in travelling waves, making a sound like waves on the seashore.
22 February
Today we are travelling to Richmond. I like any train journey, I don't
mind where we go. We went past Battersea Power Station, which is being
rebuilt as flats and lots of other blocks of flats are going up as well.
We went into Richmond museum, which is quite small but full of interest.
Here is the prehistory cabinet, with a huge mammoth tooth. Mammoths are
not like the dinosaurs, they were around until four thousand years ago.
I just love models. This is a model of Richmond Palace that once stood
here. This is a fascinating clock from 1819 that was over the workhouse
entrance.
We walked down by the river and along under some of the bridges.
23 February
Today we went to Chiswick House, as it was sunny and we are always
hoping that the spring flowers will be open. We sat by this long
greenhouse for our sandwiches. It is a very quiet park, no sound of
traffic at all.
This is the bridge down the far end of the lake. It is very steep at
both sides.
This would make a great painting with all the reflections. Then we
noticed they had put up an easel shape so you can see what it would look
like as a painting!
On the way home we came through Clapham Junction, what a contrast with
the lovely park, but we are glad all the lines are there, so that we can
get to all the more pleasant places by train.
25 February
We went to a newly opened roof garden in Fenchurch Street, called The
Garden At 120. It is on the 15th floor. There is a glass wall all round.
I especially liked this water feature. We came here early but later on
it got more crowded as people came up to have their lunchtime
sandwiches. I don't think this ladybird flew up, it must have been blown
up this high up over London, or it may have come in on the plants when
they were brought up.
It will all look much better when the plants are bigger.
Down at the exit, this ceiling is a big LED screen showing a video of
tree branches against a blue sky.
26 February
Spring has properly arrived in this part of my garden.
27 February
This is the Dick Whittington memorial near Archway Station. He was Lord
Mayor of London centuries ago and did a lot of good for the city.
We went on to Hill Pergola in Hampstead. I like this high up place where you an look down on the lower garden.
Not many flowers, but just a few if you look for them in the corners. We
came down these steps and Brown Teddy forgot to count them. Maybe next
time, Brown Teddy.
This part is really colourful, with the yellow and orange dogwood stems.
Even the waste bins are made decorative.
We left the Hill Pergola bit and walked down the hill. These bent over
branches look like a good hidey hole. We saw a jay digging for worms.
In Golders Hill Park we saw some deer under the trees. I really like the
part with the little brooks running through the shady trees.
I am glad we saw this big crowd of crocus and got a photo, as they don't
last long.
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