Brighten the Day
Self-isolating may bring on a form of Winter Blues or general depression, clicking on this⇐⇐⇐⇐ may help. And, you can Brighten the Day by clicking on any pink⇐ text below (or blue⇐ in the WP Reader).
Brighten the Day 13 with Flowers and a very cheery song anda very happy dog.
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Brighten the Day 12 ⇐ with The Sugar Plum Fairy and flowers and Beatles.
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Brighten the Day 11 ⇐ with flowers and 
perhaps
the best guitar solo ever and song and the wonderful Sandy Denny.
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Spring 2017 ⇐ with squirrels and The
Sultans of Swing. 😀
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Brighten the Day 10 ⇐ Flowers, squirrels, quips and 
Sachmo sings. 😀
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Brighten the Day 9 ⇐ Some flowers and the 
Muppets do Bohemian Rhapsody with explosions. 😀 😀 😀
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Every Reason to Hope ⇐ A message of good news and hope for the future
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A Lament for The Ancient Code Wrangler at Xmas ⇐
Twas the night before Xmas
And through all WordPress house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Because they’d eaten the mouse ~
😀
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A Christmas Ode to the WordPress Reader ⇐.
Twas the week before Christmas,
And through all WordPress house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse ~
😀
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Brighten the Day 8 ⇐ Flowers and a lady sings at 
Martha’ Vineyard while some youngsters tell the tale.
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There Is Nothing You Can Sing That Can’t Be Sung ⇐ 
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Brighten the Day 7 ⇐ Some Flowers and the 
Ballad of Beaker – Sounds Like Somebody Punched a Goat, Burnination and Roflcopters. 😀
The thing I like about beaker is he’s daft enough not to give up. There’s a lesson in that somewhere.
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Park Life ⇐ Some Ducks and Geese and Swans
and Flowers invite you to sing along. 😀
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Brighten the Day 6 ⇐ Having a Bad Hair Day. 
Try 
some silliness, pictures, flowers and videos including Beaker from the muppets . 😀
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The Great Nut Heist ⇐ Squirrels take the 
Michael, followed by squirrels climb my leg and squirrels in the park. 😀
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Brighten the Day 5 ⇐ Flowers and Thomas .
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Goslings and Ducklings ⇐ a sing along and a little 
humour (allegedly). 😀
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Brighten the Day 4 ⇐ Flowers and song lyrics 
for 
your minds ear.
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The Dog and Swan ⇐ A daft tale of animal 
humour. 😀
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Brighten the Day 3 ⇐ Flowers, Ducklings, a
cheery Song and Alice in Wonderland.
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A Flower With No Name ⇐.
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Brighten the Day 2 ⇐ – Flowers and Animals and a little humour. 😀
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Brighten the Day 1 ⇐ – Some Flowers, a View and a Duck. What else
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Brighten the Day ⇐ – one flower.
About Picture this UK
Picture this UK (picturethisuk.org) Contains:- Best Places to Photograph in London, Best Places to Photograph near London, Best Places to Visit in London, Best Places to Visit near London, Best places to see in London and 100 + places to visit in London. Both inside and out.
Tower Bridge
British Museum
Please click on the ⇒Gallery⇐ for more
Stained Glass and A Quaint Corner in Walthamstow
Not far from here is Walthamstow Street Market ⇒ which dates from 1885 and is the longest street market in Europe. Also in Walthamsow is the William Morris Gallery ⇐ and just behind that is beautiful Lloyd Park ⇐.
This spot is up St Marys Rd or by bus up Church Hill. The sign post is rather whimsical as the only place open to the general public is the Vestry Museum and the church (for services and events). There is of course a pub with a garden.
Down the hill is Walthamstow. Behind the tree is the Vestry House Museum (in another post). To the right is one of the Alms Houses.
The Ancient House. And, there’s that pub again. Did I mention that it has a garden ?
And a n ancient Pillar Box for post.
St Mary’s Church ⇒ is open for services and a number of events. I managed to sneak in while they were preparing for a concert.
The above can be expanded for reading. Click on the image and then again to expand.
There wasn’t a lot of stained glass but it was of good quality.
So it’s goodbye from sunny (sometimes) Walthamstow
Brighten the Day 12 – Here Comes the Sun
Before we say goodbye to winter a little applause for the sparkles and glistens of frost and snow and yuletide festivities. 🙂
– all three videos are worth seeing in HD at full screeen – with thanks to Lady Fi for making me think of Sugar Plum Fairies with her Frosty Views ⇒
And this version, by Lauren Cuthbertson, for the extraordinary elegance and precision . 🙂
And, then:-
A wash of colour
With spring there is the inevitable silliness (I insist upon it). 🙂
Harry Potter, Kings Cross Station and Platform 9 and 3/4
Inside Kings Cross one might find Harry Potter’s famous Platform 9 and 3/4
By heading for Platform 9 …..
.. and finding the shop ….
….. and then the Platform
You will have your photograph taken but only pay for if you want to buy at the shop. You can have a friend take photographs without cost. But, on busy days there is a queue.
There are tours of London film locations like this one ⇒ and the Warner Bros Harry Potter Film Studios ⇒ at 20 miles north-west of London. You can also google for travel inclusive tours. Have fun but watch out for those shop prices.
Lloyd Park, Walthamstow and a Mystery Tune
Lloyd Park is right behind the William Morris Gallery ⇐ which has a some outstanding exhibits. Lloyd Park ⇒ has some pleasant lawns amongst trees and is surrounded by a very pretty moat. Further down there is a quite beautiful mystery tune but I have no idea who created it. First the moat.
At the far end is the Delice café and some more park with an art gallery (next time). Meantime more of the moat.
Add a little whimsy and the mystery tune.
This tune has been passed around for years but nobody knows who created it or where it came from. So, if anybody can identify it, I would be grateful. Meantime it is beautiful, calming and very suited to the pictures.
And, back to reality, perhaps. 🙂
Victoriana at 18 Stafford Terrace and the Sambournes
Edward Lynley Sambourne and his wife (Marion) took residence of 18 Stafford Terrace in Kensington in 1874. The Sambourne family and descendants maintained the Victorian style and content. The house was taken over and maintained by the Victorian Society and then the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 1989.
The website ⇒ is informative, interesting and shows much of Edward Lylynley Sambourne’s work as an illustrator. There are a variety of tours available and open house (when photography is allowed) on some afternoons. Hence the website is an essential read for those who wish to visit and may wish to note there are four flights of stairs without a lift.
The website is also used by Leighton House. An interesting place but photography is not allowed (2017).
For 40 years Edward Lynley Sambourne was notable contributor to the comedic and satirical magazine Punch ⇒ (its website includes a large gallery of cartoons). The house at 18 Stafford Terrace is full of drawings, artworks and some very fine stained glass. He also created the earliest draft drawings for the illustrated version of the Rev Charles Kingsley’s book the Water-Babies. More of Edward Lynley Sambourne’s work ⇒ as shown on Flickr.
The house and its atmosphere has been so carefully preserved that it is like walking back in time, although one can only enter the edge of each room. Enjoy ~ 🙂
. . and goodnight all. 🙂
The Charles Dickens Museum
Charles Dickens was more than a novelist, as can be seen at London’s Charles Dickens Museum ⇒.
The museum includes a large number of educational items together with some furniture and artifacts from Dickens life. Not far away is the Foundling Museum ⇐ which represents a charity supported by Dickens.
A little walk through some of the exhibits common to a Dickens day.
A chalice presented to Charles Dickens by the the Morning Chronicle
Whilst there is a fee to enter the museum, there is a pleasant indoor/outdoor café that is free to enter.
Birdie Birdie
Birdie, birdie on the wing,
How I wish that I could sing,
Birdie, birdie in the sky,
How I wish that I could fly,
Birdie, birdie how I love you,
How I hope that you love me too ~
Have a softley day.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
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 ⇐ .
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.
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.
Waddesdon Manor Interior
Thaïs, companion of Ptolemy, by Joshua Reynolds at Waddesdon Manor
20 pics. Waddesdon Manor is an extraordinary display of the Rothschilds wealth, the skill of the artisans who created it and the dedication of those who restored it.
The beautiful gardens and exterior are here ⇐ and for more information and visiting please see the website ⇒.
The manor is near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. It was completed in 1898 as a sumptuous weekend residence for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and has passed through four generations of Rothschilds until 1958 when it was bequeathed to the National Trust.
The elephant is more silvery than gold but difficult lighting had an effect.
The Bachelor Apartments are part of the second floor
I don’t think the implements were an encouragement to bachelor mayhem.
So it’s goodnight from him.
And, what-ho from him.
I hope you enjoyed your visit and the beautiful gardens and exterior ⇐.
Waddesdon Manor and Gardens
Waddesdon Manor North Fountain
17 pics. Waddesdon Manor is near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. The manor was completed in 1898 as a sumptuous weekend residence for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and has passed through four generations of Rothschilds until 1958 when it was bequeathed to the National Trust.
The extraordinary interiors are here ⇐ and for more information and visiting please see the website ⇒.
Above is the North Fountain where the estate shuttle stops. Turn around and there is the manor house.
Waddesdon Manor House
The sloping balustrades of the turret follow the line of the internal spiral staircase. For a closer look at an image; right-click on an image, choose “Open Link in New Tab” and then left-click on the opened image to magnify.
A view back along the drive from the south-west corner of the manor house. The grounds are a little short of flowers at this time of year (early May) but it is a quiet time to visit.
The house has an extensive wine cellar that is open to visitors. The two black towers on the right of the above picture are modern art made of wine bottles. I suppose the artist had to have something to drink whilst musing on the composition and then found inspiration in the empties 🙂 .
A view of the rear and the parterre garden.
A view of the parterre garden from a rear second story window.
From the south-west corner of the house there is path that leads to the aviary.
Rothschilds’ Mynah Bird – A critically endangered species from NW Bali.
I’m not always comfortable about caging animals but these are well kept and have an easy and extended life. Many of the birds are rare and colorful. Unfortunately most of the them were playing find the composer, otherwise known as Haydn Seek.
The grounds are extensive and a great place for a picnic.
The rose garden was not quite in bloom (early May).
So it’s goodbye from me.
And, it’s goodbye from ‘im. Biscuit, what biscuit ?. It twasn’t me guv.
I hope you enjoyed your visit and enjoy the remarkable interiors ⇐.
Canal Boat Cavalcade 2017 at Little Venice
There is a pool at the junction of the Regents Canal and Grand Union Canal that is now known as Little Venice. Every year there is a Festival and Cavalcade of canal boats. Some have traveled hundreds of miles using the vast network of canals that were once the lifeblood of Britain’s trade and industry.
There is a pleasant waterbus ⇐ between Camden Lock and Little Venice. At Little Venice there is a floating café and an enchanting puppet theatre ⇒ for all ages.
Canal boats became ornamental even as working boats.
A Small Sample of the Cavalcade
Some of the Characters
The ugly duckling.
“One likes to be a good sport, but if one more reveler refers to me as loofah neck I shall scream”.
Nunhead Cemetery
Nunhead is one of the “magnificent seven” privately owned cemeteries built during the 1800’s to accomodate the needs of a rapidly expanding London. The others are Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park ⇒, Kensal Green, West Norwood, Highgate, Abney Park and Brompton Cemetery.
Nunhead Cemetery is on quite a steep hill so there are bus route directions ⇒ to the top of the hill and include some other venues in the region.
To view the cemetery map, please click on and then again to magnify.
There are various routes with lots of ivy covered ancient gravestones but it was a sunny day so I kept to the cheerful.
Inside the old chapel there is some art work both modern and ancient. There are occasional exhibitions and tours. Please see the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery ⇒.
At the lower end exit/entrance of the cemetery turn left and then past the Waverly Arms are the bus stops. It is not far to One Tree Hill, the Oak of Honor and St Augustine’s ⇐, but it is up a steep hill so please see the directions ⇐ for a bus route. The same link shows a route to Peckham Rye Park.
Peckham Rye Park and Flowers
From stop V across the road from Peckham Rye rail station the numbers 63 and 363 buses travel south along the west side of Peckham Rye Park. About half way along the park’s length is the easiest way to it’s centre where all the trees are. The Café on The Rye is to the left by the car park, whilst straight on is :-
Peckham Rye Park Japanese Gardens
and :-
Sexby Gardens
If this is early April then summer must be amazing
and :-
Peckham Rye Park Lake
The lake is at the east side of the park and is a short distance to Nunhead Cemetery ⇒, but it is uphill so please see the directions ⇐ for a bus route.
St Augustine’s, One Tree Hill and the Oak of Honor
One Tree Hill is named after the Oak of Honor ⇒ and is a small nature reserve with St Augustine’s Church, the oak and a fine view across London.
The easiest way to get to One Tree hill and St Augustine’s is by the P12 bus from Honor Oak Park rail station to the top of the hill by road. There is a path on the opposite side of the road which passes the Maha Lakshmi Vidya Bhavan.
There is an alternative route via Peckham Rye Park and Nunhead Cemtery here ⇐.
The path leads first to :-
St Augustine’s Church
The church was built between 1870 and 1900 and has some fine architecture and stained glass. It is open in the afternoon during the summer months and is always open on a Saturday morning. More ⇒. Please check the website for services and events before you visit.
St Augustine ⇒ (354 AD to 430 AD) was an early Christian theologian and philosopher.
These walls aren’t really speckled. The effect is the consequence of an unusual mix of ambient light and a high ISO camera setting necessary for the dark alcove without flash. I thought it was a pleasing effect so I left it in.
One Tree Hill
On retracing one’s footsteps there is a set of steps leading to the top of the hill and the Oak of Honor.
If you think I’m climbing up there just to get a few photographs, then you must be ~
what ! no, stop that, get off.
Pesky elves. I wish they wouldn’t do that.
Oh well, since I’m here.
The Oak of Honor
This Oak of Honor ⇒ was planted in 1905 and is the third on that site. The original oak marked the southern boundary of a region known as the Norman Honor of Gloucester ⇒ which began its existence in 1166.
Legend has it that Queen Elizabeth I took rest under an oak on the hill when she went a-maying in 1602. Alternatively she had a picnic with Sir Richard Bulkeley on 1st of May. A-maying could have a variety of meanings including being quite frolicsome. 🙂
As an aside: The spelling of Honor, rather than the usual English spelling of Honour, derives from the antiquity of the place. Early English favored “or” rather than “our” for many words. These earlier spelling were transported to the Americas and remain in use. England seems to have developed and favoured the alternatives due to a continued influx of languages.
Near to the oak is a fine view across London from One Tree Hill’s southern position.
The oak and view are at position 1 on the map. To enlarge the map please click on and then gain to magnify.
The park proceeds down the far side of the hill to Brenchley Gardens where one can board the P12 bus again. The bus can be used to go back to Honor Oak Park rail station (traveling West and then back up the hill) or the other way to Nunhead Cemetery or Peckham Rye Park (later posts).
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed the tour.
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral (Wiki) ⇒ was built in the Byzantine style and completed in 1903. It is free to enter and photography is allowed, although perhaps best to avoid when used for Mass ⇒. The Cathedral is on Victoria Street, very near to London’s Victoria Station.
Westminster Cathedral should not be confused with Westminster Abbey ⇒ which is much older (1089 AD). The Abbey is worth seeing but does charge for entry and does not allow photography.
The lower part of the Cathedral is very ornate but the upper ceiling and walls are bare dark brick. I found it best not to look.
There is a small museum of religious regalia and a lift up the tower to a viewing platform. There is a small charge for each of these extras, paid for at the Cathedral shop.
Inside Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral Museum
Westminster Cathedral View from the Tower
There are views in every direction from the tower. I thought this one, to the East, was the best. One can see the Palace of Westminster ⇐ in the centre and just beyond is the Shard of Glass. There is a tremendous view from the top of The Shard ⇒ but they do charge (it is worth looking for the online and half-day saver tickets).
Westminster Abbey (the white building with two towers) is just to the left of the tallest crane. The tall brown building is Transport for London which is not presently open to the public (information thanks to comments by Simon J Kyte).
Brighten the Day 10
Brighten your day. Confuse a Happiness Engineer. Ask for a Happy Meal with extra fries and the solution to Fermet’s Last Theorem.
“He thinks he’s the Lock Ness Monster. What can you do”.
Amaze squirrels with your impressions of a nut.
Sing along with Sachmo.
. . . and the squirrels. And, enjoy your day.
Freed From Time 