We spent the last weekend before the second lockdown in England doing normal things. Saturday started with some breadmaking (not sourdough this time). Avoiding the tube, we travelled to Greenwich Market on the Thames river bus. This service has been rebranded Uber Boat by thames clipper. Greenwich Market was quieter than normal. There were fewer … Continue reading / view photos Once in a blue moon
Kew and Camden
These are not ordinary times. I was glad, however, to have a weekend that was mostly normal. I was in Kew Gardens and Camden Market. Nowadays, even members can’t rock up to Kew Gardens and waltz in. You must book a slot in advance. Our plan was to go to Kew on Sunday but everybody … Continue reading / view photos Kew and Camden
Tarzan, trees and me
Nature has many splendours. Three that come to mind are mountains, trees and the many forms of water (lakes, rivers, oceans, snow, ice). Of these, I find mountains frightening. No matter how many times I walk up them, apprehension overrides the veneration I feel at the foot of a mountain. Rivers and vast expanses of … Continue reading / view photos Tarzan, trees and me
London Loop – sections 10, 11
We started this week’s section of the London Loop from the same place as last week: Uxbridge. This time we went south instead of north, taking in Harefield West, Hayes & Harlington, and Hatton Cross. The contrast to last week’s walk was immediate. The Grand Union Canal led into the lusciously green Colne Valley Park … Continue reading / view photos London Loop – sections 10, 11
London Loop – sections 12, 13, 14
Yesterday, we tackled three sections of the London Loop since they were all fairly short. Section 12 started in Uxbridge, which has brightened up since my last visit a few years ago. The station itself has stained glass windows near the entrance. There’s also a fine vintage cigarette machine in the station. From Uxbridge tube … Continue reading / view photos London Loop – sections 12, 13, 14
Steve Jobs, Pixar and Disney
I’ve just finished reading The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger, the recently retired CEO of Disney. Part of his story with Disney is his relationship with Steve Jobs. Today, nine years ago in 2011, Steve Jobs passed away. Probably the most well-known book on Steve Jobs, with its white cover, is Steve Jobs … Continue reading Steve Jobs, Pixar and Disney
London Loop – section 15
For the section from Hatch End to Elstree and Borehamwood, our group expanded from two to four hikers. This walk was quite something. For the first quarter, we had cloudy weather but it soon picked up and the sun came out to shine on some lovely views. The group was still small enough to make … Continue reading / view photos London Loop – section 15
The Rosie novels
I was a bit sad last night to finish The Rosie Result, the final book in the Don Tillman trilogy. I slowed down as much as I could. Bill Gates recommended the first in the series – not personally but on his website. He normally recommends non-fiction. So I thought I’d give it a go. … Continue reading The Rosie novels
London Loop – section 16
After the dire warnings on Monday from the UK Government’s Chief Medical Adviser and Chief Scientific Adviser, I was expecting the Government to announce a second national lockdown on Tuesday evening. With that in mind, and because it was the last day of summer, a friend and I decided to embark on the 242 km London … Continue reading / view photos London Loop – section 16
Lockdown in Birmingham
For an unrelated reason, on 23 March, I went to Birmingham. I’d planned to stay a week. Later that day, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that the UK would be going into lockdown! I could have got the train back. I think it was permissible to return home but I wasn’t sure. However, … Continue reading / view photos Lockdown in Birmingham