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Battersea Park And Children’s Zoo and Otters

“Clare? Clare?! Are you listening to me?” “I’m not talking to you, Richard!”  –  Contributed by blogger Dunelight

More beautiful otters below.  First Battersea Park.  The park is larger than it looks and provides a boating lake, children’s play areas, a plant shop, bicycle hire, cafeteria and children’s zoo.  More ⇒.



Battersea Bridge on the Thames

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

There is an entrance fee for the zoo.  More information and a broad range of facilities for children can be found here ⇒.  Below are a few fun photographs but there is a lot more to see.



The park has modern technology.  Here is its e-mu.

Mara (Patagonian Cavy)


Meerkats


Young children can take a tunnel into the bubble and see the meerkats close up.

And, right next door are the otters.


Its feeding time and the otters wait by the magic door.



And, each have their own portion.

Time for a little lie down after all that walking about.

Posted by  |  August 13, 2017 | Categories: Animals, fun, london, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, uk, West London | Tags: , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A Rare Opportunity to Photograph Inside London’s St Paul’s Cathedral

No longer available for 2017: There is a rare opportunity for visitors to photograph the interior of London’s St Paul’s Cathedral between 6:30 pm and 9 pm (last entry 8:15 pm) on the evenings of :-

  • Thursday 27th July 2017
  • Thursday 10th August 2017
  • Thursday 17th August 2017
  • Thursday 24th August 2017
  • Friday 25th August 2017
  • Monday 28th August 2017
  • Thursday 31st August 2017

This is for hand-held non-commercial photography only and the upper galleries will be closed for the evening. 

For those without cameras suitable for low-light conditions, the early evening may present the best opportunity.

For more information, ticket prices and booking in advance please click-on Summer Lates ⇒

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For a preview (photographs from 2015) and general admission, please click-on St Paul’s Cathedral ⇐ .

For permits and commercial photography/filming, please see here ⇒.

Enjoy.


Posted by  |  July 12, 2017 | Categories: Central London, london, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, uk | Tags: , , , , | 21 Comments

The Red House at Bexleyheath

21 pics. The Red House is in a continuous state of renovation and hence a little sparse inside.  Nevertheless, it is intriguing, full of history and surrounded by gardens that are both beautiful and tranquil.  The house was designed by Phillip Web for his friend William Morris.  Both were very creative and have a long history of respect from their peers.  There is a lot more of the history at the end of this post and here is the website ⇒ with entry fees.

Nearby is the sumptuous Danson House ⇐ and it is not very far to the more ancient Hall Place ⇐.

In Walthamstow (North London) there is the free William Morris Gallery ⇐ which is well worth a look.

Meanwhile :-

The Red House Croquet Lawn with the equipment for those who know how to play.






The murals are perhaps not as vibrant as they appear here, but this is what the camera saw and hasn’t been enhanced.  I think it is perhaps because of the quite extraordinary light from the windows.









The history is readable by right-clicking on the image, select “Open in New Tab” from the pop-up menu and then left-click on the image to magnify.  Return here by exiting the new tab.




Hollyhocks

Of course the last say ⇐ must be given to the flowers who reliably appear year after year.

Posted by  |  July 7, 2017 | Categories: Art, East London, History, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, uk | Tags: , , , , | 13 Comments

Crossrail Place Roof Garden

Slightly to the east of central London there is the the high rise complex of Canary Wharf.  Amongst the tall buildings there is the new roof garden of Cross Rail Place beside West India Quays station on the Docklands Light Railway.   The garden is only a short distance from the Museum of London Docklands⇐ (not to be confused with the larger Museum of London ⇐).

The garden is quite new and doesn’t have a lot of colour yet but is a pleasant place for a short stroll or just quietly sit.






There are two piano’s for anybodies use.

A view of the rood garden on top of an area of shoperies and eateries as seen from West India Quays station.  The building in the distance isn’t really leaning to one side, it’s just a peculiar perspective.  🙂

Posted by  |  July 4, 2017 | Categories: East London, Flora, Free, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, uk | Tags: , , , | 5 Comments

The London Garden Museum in Lambeth

The London Garden Museum is situated in and around the old church of St Mary adjacent to Lambeth Palace.  The church has origins dating back almost a thousand years.  It was deconsecrated in 1972 and saved from demolition by Rosemary Nicholson.  By 1977, Rosemary and her husband John had converted the old church into the world’s first Museum of Garden History.  Rosemary and John were admirers of John Tradescent ⇒ who is buried at St Mary and is credited as being the first great British gardener and plant hunter.   In more recent times the venue has become known as The Garden Museum.

In 2016 the museum was closed for remodeling, making use of  a Heritage Lottery grant. It was re-opened in May 2017.  Unfortunately the beautiful Knot Garden ⇒ has been lost during the remodeling and the external gardens still need some work.  The external gardens and café are free to enter but there is an entrance fee for the museum.    Website ⇒.

 

The seemingly humble lawnmower has been of considerable influence.  Before its invention, by Edwin Budding in 1830, grass was cut by scythe.  Only the rich could afford such a labour intensive luxury.  Even so it was only rough cut compared with today’s standards.  It was because of the lawnmower we have the English garden and advancements in lawn tennis, lawn bowls, cricket and golf.

The inside of the old church is in good condition and alongside of some gardening history are there is some quite stunning stained glass.



The potato, which has become an important food staple, was first brought to Europe from Peru by the Spanish in the latter part of the 16th century although Sir Walter Rayleigh is credited with bringing them to England a little later.  In Britain we refer to the potato chip as a crisp and the British chip is a kind of thick french fry.  Fish and chips being our main contribution to international cuisine. 😀

The Ancient Order of  Free Gardeners began in Scotland in the 17th century. The ancient order’s fortunes have been somewhat variable, more ⇒ .  Personally I think making people believe one’s services are for free is asking for trouble.  😀


A good view of this window is difficult because somebody put a garden shed in the way. Really.  I think it’s an experiment in avant-garden 😀 .  I wrote them a note on the subject.   They haven’t written back.

In Memorium to Herbert Lyttelton 1884-1914


Although close to a busy thoroughfare and still a work in progress, the garden is free and a pleasant place to sit.  🙂

Posted by  |  June 30, 2017 | Categories: History, museums, Photography, places to photograph in london, uk, West London | Tags: , , , , , | 13 Comments

Ightham Mote Interiors

Well hello and welcome to Ightham Mote, a pleasant idyll in Kent.  The interiors are presented as a walk through time including an extraordinary painting.  Views of the exterior and beautiful gardens and more information about this medieval manor house can be found here  ⇐.   But first, a little walk through time (although not necessarily in the right order 🙂 )  ~










The above is a corner of the Billiard Room situated across the main courtyard.  Back to the main building :-

A replica of Ellen Terry’s famous beetle-wing costume in which she played Lady Macbeth in 1888/89



Miss Elsie Palmer by John Singer Sargent 1890


Thank you for the visit and if you missed the exterior views then you can find them  here ⇐ .

Posted by  |  June 14, 2017 | Categories: History, museums, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, South London, uk | Tags: , , , , , | 12 Comments

Ightham Mote

 

Ightham Mote (pron; I tham) is a well preserved medieval manor house that was built in the 14th century and is near to Sevenoaks in Kent. The approach is down into a wooded dell that is not at all dingily. 

Their website ⇒ and the wiki history ⇒.

The manor house contains an interesting museum of artifacts from various eras (here  ⇐ ) and is surrounded by very pleasant gardens and an extensive array of footpaths throughout the surrounding area.  Ightham mote has never been inhabited by very ambitious people or involved in dramatic events.  Its gentle past is perhaps responsible for its very peaceful atmosphere and has made it a pleasure to visit.  🙂






Across the bridge and into the courtyard.



One enters the house under the rose covered arch.  Note the large dog kennel.  There is a picture of its inhabitant later.


Outside is just the beginning of the gardens and rural walks. Turn around and there are the stables.


Inside the stables there are a few pictures including one of the dog who inhabited the courtyard kennel.

There is an extraordinary painting inside the house ⇐ and I hope that you enjoyed your visit.

Posted by  |  June 11, 2017 | Categories: History, museums, Photography, Places to Photograph Near London, Places to Visit, South London, uk | Tags: , , , , , | 33 Comments

UK Terrorist Attacks 2017

The terrorists have failed.  Not fear but defiance.  Not hate but unity.   Here in London’s Potters Fields and in Manchester.  In Manchester where a young American girl returned to play a concert and stood up for us all.

In London where, at short notice, there were thousands at the Potters Fields vigil.

Muslims came with sympathy and with courage and with confidence in the sanity of Londoners that we would not be perverted by the actions of a few.  They held banners and they laid flowers and they were applauded.

Such were the tokens of our defiance and unity.




And the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:-

“London stands in defiance against this cowardly attack and our city and our people and our values and our way of live.

As the mayor of London I want to send a clear message to the sick and evil extremists who commit these hideous crimes; we will defeat you. You will not win.

And as a proud and patriotic British Muslim I say this: you do not commit these disgusting acts in my name. Your perverse ideology has nothing to do with the true values of Islam and you will never succeed in dividing our city.

We send our love to the victims’ families and all those injured and we thank our courageous emergency services and the brave Londoners who risked their lives. You are the best of us.

Our city is filled with great sorrow and anger tonight but also great resolve and determination. Because our unity and love will always be stronger than the hate of the extremists.

London will never be broken by terrorism. We will defeat the terrorists.”

And he was applauded.

And I say; London and the UK stand as a beacon of defiance and fair justice and refusal to blame the many for the actions of a few.  That is what we are and that is our strength and we shall not fall from that state of being.

 

⇐ Previously

Posted by  |  June 6, 2017 | Categories: Comment, london, uk | Tags: , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Terrorist Attacks in UK 2017

By Stik on Princelet Street, London, E.1

More Here – The Potters Field Vigil ⇐

The recent terrorists attacks are not made by genuine Muslims. The Qu’ran (Koran) forbids such things.  The attacks are made by disturbed vicious persons who have hi-jacked a prophet’s name, with the sole aim of feeding their abhorrent desires and starting a war between innocent persons.

We must show the terrorists that their efforts to divide us are futile and that we hold them in contempt.  That we will not permit such a thing in our country. That such behaviour only binds us more strongly together in mutual understanding and sympathy.

This is the truth of London and the UK.  This street art on Princelet St, has remained untouched for at least 4 years, whilst all the nearby pieces have been painted over with new renditions. 

I’ve lived in the east-end of London for most of my adult life. The area has been multi-cultural for more than two hundred years, since the early days of the London Docks.  There is mutual respect here because the sane amongst us know that it is morally right, that unity is our greatest strength and that it will prevail.

There is nothing so formidable as Brits who are roused in the defense of right.

Posted by  |  June 4, 2017 | Categories: Comment, uk | Tags: , , , | 9 Comments

Brighten the Day 11

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away ~

~ a new flower wonders what comes next.

Perhaps the new flower would be of the wind ~

~ or be ablaze in the sun ~

~ or perhaps hear the best guitar solo ever.

But, if not, why worry.

Perhaps there is a beautiful song of the sea by an extraordinary person.

Perhaps, if we but seek, there is something to remind each of us that we live in a world of wonders.

A good day to you all.

Posted by  |  May 31, 2017 | Categories: Brighten the Day, Flowers, fun, Photography, uk | Tags: , , , , | 10 Comments