Mudchute London City Farm
Mudchute London City Farm ⇒. “Set in 32 acres of countryside in the heart of East London, the Mudchute is a community charity, with a working farm, stables, a children’s nursery and a wide range of education activities. We are open every day, free of charge”. There are also miniature ponies, goats, lamas, alpacas, donkeys, ducks, geese, sheep, a pets corner, a small aviary, a nature trail, a shop/café and a restored WWII ack-ack gun.
The area originally acquired its name from being a dumping ground for the mud/silt being dredged from the Millwall Docks during the 1800’s. History ⇒.
I started from the Pier Street entrance/exit and only had enough time to photograph some of it.
The farm is very child friendly. Whilst there I saw some little ones, with spades taller than themselves, cheerfully moving earth from one place to another.
The top of the fence is open but it keeps out the foxes and the farm’s cat who, of course, thinks he owns the place.
The farm is just a little south of the greatly regenerated London Docklands.
“Well hello, good evening and welcome”
Some breeds of ewes have horns. I think that these are a mix of Jacob sheep and White Face Woodland sheep.
At first they were very interested in visitors, but it didn’t last long. Loss of interest was quickly followed by a lot of very loud baaing. I finally realised that nibbles, bought from the shop, were expected .
“Nibbles ?”
“Baaaa. This one ain’t got no nibbles, Baaa”. “Baaa, you tell ‘im Agnes”. “Yeaaah baaa, can’t come around ‘ere with no nibbles, the cheek of it, baaa”.
“I’ve had my nibbles and I’ve got a rhythm stick”
Fearing the firing squad, I departed.
These are either llamas or alpacas. I’ll avoid the obvious joke of not wanting to stick my neck out on that.
“Just having lunch at the moment”.
“Oh yummy the gourmet table”.
“Carrot, what carrot !”.
From the other side of the farm looking south. There is an exit/entrance near here to Mudchute Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station.
I hope enjoyed your visit.
In East London there is also Hackney City Farm ⇒ and Spitalfields City Farm ⇒.
Extremely Rare
Thanks to a friendly park keeper at St James Park, I was able to photograph twin Graylag Geese. Born from one egg, that would otherwise have been a double yolk, they rarely survive and these two have another special feature. Ethologist Konrad Lorenz did his first major studies into the behavioural phenomenon of imprinting using Graylag Geese and, according to the park keeper, these two have imprinted on one another and are inseparable.
They are so rare that you are unlikely to see anything like this until next April 1st. Yes, I am disgraceful and ingenious abuse is welcome and probably deserved. Here’s wishing you all a fun day. 🙂
The Dog and Swan
Kensington Gardens, Serpentine Lake and Fauna
15 pics. – Just behind the Albert Memorial is a very nice outdoor cafe and one of the entrances to Kensington Gardens. To the left and a little further north there is Kensington Palace and to the right is the Serpentine Lake with Hyde park on the other side. You might also like Squirrels up my Leg.
At the cafe
“I don’t know what it is, but I shall defend it to my last breath, or teatime.”
Kensington Gardens
At the end of August.
On the Serpentine
First a word from our sponsor.
“No brain cells were harmed during the making of the this travesty but we can’t guarantee the same whilst reading it, and have you got any cake. “
“I say, they’ve got tea and buns”
“Do I look like I’ve got a bun”
Signor
“What do think of my new paint job and have a got any panini.”
Signor briefly broke of the session to give a small dog a thorough hissing and then returned to a perfect composure. What it must be to live in the moment.
Signora and Cygnet
“Don’t look Nigel, Ma’s gone all tipsy again”. “Oh look a shiny thing”
Cygnet
“That Odette, what a diva. Not like me I’m so demure, and modest with it.”
“Me, I’m firm but fair and proof against meteorites.”
“Pay attention class while Mr Flogget demonstrates how we do walking”. “I’ll confiscate that in a minute”
The Flying School
“Ok, now choose a nice soft landing ground, lower landing gear, throttle back and full flaps – tee hee I’m so funny.”
“Alright not bad, now get off that swan. These kids, honestly what can you do !”
Never had a lesson in my life. Wheeeeeeee”
The Preening Salon
“Well of course he got his bill stuck in the mud. I told him, I said if we were meant to do that, we would have been born with propellers. “
The Last Word
“It’s like living in a madhouse around here. Why can’t they be more normal like what I am. “
Wild Fowl at Hall Place
Welcome to Cray river at Hall Place park.
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Let me take you on a brief tour. Please walk this way.
Here we have Ducksville.
…. and of course our newest inhabitants.
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.. and so it’s good night from him and good night from me. Do come again there’s loads of us, innit. 😀
The Thames at Windsor
17 Pictures
The River Thames at Windsor offers a pleasant afternoon and a good follow-on from a visit to Windsor Castle. There are both Tour Boats and Hire Boats available. The tour boats provide a frequent 40 minute service and an occasional two-hour trip. I took the two-hour tour and thought it quite good value for money. Unfortunately there are no river trips from the City due to the many intervening locks. French Bros public boat trips. You can book online but you don’t have to. There are other hire companies included in Travel by Train, Map/Tour and Hire Boats. But first a word from our sponsor.
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum.
Wild Foul
Where’s Fred. It’s mine I tell you.
I say, they’re not so much wild fowl as slighty miffed. Mwa Ha.
First we go under the bridge and then we come back under the bridge. Good game.
Call that a duck.
River Views
Personally I prefer one of these. The upper deck is a simple array of chairs and they were quite happy for me to bring my own tea and sandwiches, bought from an outlet near to the ticket office. The lower deck is more plush with a bar and snacks.
The first part of the tour is quite pretty. It then gets a little dull for a while until after the lock. There is a commentary indicating places of interest and the homes of the famous.
I hope you enjoyed the tour and thank you for visiting.
Freed From Time 