I am deeply embarrassed to see that it is three months since I posted about my garden, Heath Hands or indeed any garden anywhere. I can only blame our Salon Music project which has rather taken over my blog life, whatever about the rest of my life. And it has been winter so most of …
Night-time birdsong – and the winter garden
I was walking back along North Hill last week after seeing Limbo at Jackson’s Lane – a busy road on a busy evening – when I heard bird song. Surprised at any bird braving what was a fairly chilly dark night, let alone giving voice, I stopped to listen. Apologies for the traffic noise but …
Jackson’s Lane Christmas Day gifts appeal
Readers who live in or around Highgate will no doubt have heard of Jackson’a Lane Community and Arts Centre – and about their Christmas lunch. For the last 45 years, from its earliest days as a church, Jackson’s Lane has hosted over 100 older people who would otherwise be alone for Christmas lunch – and …
The Watts Mortuary Chapel
If your list of chapels to visit next summer includes the Chagall chapel near Tonbridge you might want to add the Watts Mortuary Chapel near Guildford. Very different in style but no less extraordinary. The chapel is the brainchild, and indeed the work, of Mary Seton Watts (1849-1938), painter, sculptor, potter and wife, in his …
Leaves, funghi and willows
A very quick post just to celebrate the glorious golden leaf carpet in the Old Orchard Garden last week. Those large crunkly leaves – lined golden hands with their fingers spread – are from the Oriental Plane – or so my ‘Picture This’ app told me. They looked amazing and I am glad I snapped …
Slogging through the mud…..
Saturday afternoon saw one of Hampstead Heath’s periodic cross country events – 5, 7 and 10k runs for children, woman and men respectively – although, in the event, the children’s run was cancelled because of the mud. (Not a popular decision amongst the onlookers that I spoke to! ‘Lot of health and safety nonsense – …