Yesterday’s walk which was sparklingly sunny, if with an icy wind, took me down by the boating pond and two keen swimmers – a tan one and a black a white one. The tan swimmer was just on his way back when I arrived and I watched him get out of the pond and then …
#walksonhampsteadheath
Back to trees
After the last few days of heavy architectural input, back to trees. First a long and peaceful walk through the wood below Kenwood on my side of the heath from a couple of weeks ago when some of the trees were still only just in bud. (If you want to see the video you will …
Highgate cemeteries
Up till the middle of the 19th century, if you died in London you were buried in the parish graveyard or, if you were sufficiently rich or important, actually under the floor or in the walls of the parish church. Not only was this insanitary but, between 1800 and 1850 the population of London grew …
More on clay ponds and the Bagshot Sands
One of the first things that I read in Helen Lawrence’s fascinating How Hampstead Heath was Saved, was about the unusual geology that has created the heath’s rolling hills: a layer of clay covered with sand. (This map comes from her book – with thanks.) I was reminded of the sands when I walked passed …
Timber!!
As promised, I am afraid that I am now going to bore you rigid with a detailed account of the tree works that took place in the garden yesterday. They do not really look that dramatic but – they do mark the start of the works on Hampstead Lane, which is quite exciting as far …
Action on the heath….
(If you want to see the video you will need to click onto the blog as the email notification does not include the video.) As you can see, swan mum has moved on to the next stage in the annual cycle and now has a brood of fluffy cygnets to look after – and, be …