Urban Wandering: Oldbury Place, London W1

Despite the train chaos in and out of Paddington today, caused by flooding and landslides in Somerset and Devon, I managed to escape for an hour at lunchtime to make the most of the beautifully crisp, clear day. I tramped my way through some pretty familiar territory around Marylebone High Street but stumbled across a small street I must have walked past many times but never explored, Oldbury Place. I particularly liked the curve of the street as it opened up to reveal a broader area, not quite a square though. Unfortunately the area was full of parked cars so no pictures of that I'm afraid.

Oldbury Place, London W1

I also liked the contrast of the orange (perhaps rusty?) roof girders against the blue sky that greeted me as I made my way down the street and looked right just before it curved away.

Oldbury Place, London W1

 Oldbury Place, London W1

 

    

Autumn leaves

After delivering one of my kids to a football match last weekend on the outskirts of Reading, between Sulham and Tilehurst, I managed a short walk before kick-off. The ground was wet underfoot, and impassable in places, so I had to be careful where I trod. I'd never been to this area before so it was quite a pleasant surprise. The only downside was that the M4 motorway could be heard despite being a mile away.

 Autumn, near Reading

Autumn, near Reading

Autumn, near Reading

Urban Wandering: London mews, W11

Given that Wednesday was foggy pretty much right up until lunch time, I wasn't too optimistic that if I did manage to get out at all, then there would be only overcast photo opportunities. However, as I was leaving the office the fog lifted a bit and I managed to enjoy at least some of my lunchtime stroll in the sunshine.

Having wandered down the Labroke Grove the night before for dinner, I passed some interesting looking mews and other small roads which I made a note of to visit the next day. The majority of these I had not seen before, and as always was more than pleased to discover some new, hidden, London treasures.

Looking out from Boyne Terrace Mews, London W11

 Looking out from Boyne Terrace Mews, London W11

The mews below, Horbury Mews was probably my favourite find of the day. What I particularly liked about this mews was the "T" shape, which you can't really see in the pictures, but at the end of the mews, just below the plaque, it opened out slightly. The second picture below shows the right hand side.

 Horbury Mews, London W11

 Horbury Mews, London W11

This road is actually a walk as opposed to a mews but nevertheless another beauty, and from the tranquil scene and cobbled streets, it's hard to imagine that it runs parallel to the busy Holland Park Avenue .

Ladbroke Walk, London W11

Ladbroke Walk, London W11

Ladbroke Walk, London W11

 

These next 2 photos are of a completely new place to me. The area had quite a village-like feel to it, abd a bit of post visit research showed that it has quite a history. There is still for example a kiln on or near to Pottery Lane, but I didn't see that during my walk.

Penzance Place, London W11

Pottery Lane, London W11

The final picture is of Pembridge Mews. Unfortunately there was scaffolding and workers' vans along this mews, so the only picture I managed to get was this one, but I've made a note to return again.

Pembridge Mews, London W11

I realise now that this blog has become almost exclusively dedicated to my London lunchtime strolls, and has not seen me talk about my bike rides, music listening or reading habits much of late. So, to address that, I managed to get out on my bike today for the first time in over a month. The 19 miles felt like hard going but it was good to be out again. Musically I've been listening to Porcupine Tree and Killing Joke.

Is it Christmas already?

A truly frustrating and bewildering week at work last week. By the time I finished work on the Wednesday I had pretty much given up hope of doing anything meaningful after work, but decided I needed a walk to calm me down and revive my senses. It was a pretty cold night but as I was walking I found myself drawn to the bright lights beaming from the grounds of the Natural History museum in South Kensington. Initially I just thought it was the Christmas lights in the trees that were lighting up the night sky, but on closer inspection I found this to be an ice rink. Personally I don't like ice skating at all and find it a bit boring, but that's probably because I've only ever done it in a sterile indoors environment, whereas even I was impressed by this sight.

Ice rink at Natural History Museum, London

The following day I managed to escape the madness and get out for half an hour at lunchtime, making the most of the sunny weather, and managed to discover a new mews, Albion Mews, London W2. I think I caught this particular mews at one of the best times of year, with some foliage, but not too much to obscure the views, and some wonder autumn colours.

Looking into Albion Mews, London W2

Looking back out from Albion Mews, London W2

Looking back out from Albion Mews, London W2

Looking back out from Albion Mews, London W2

As with many London mews, this could really be anywhere and hard to believe it's not far from the Bayswater Road. Of the four pictures of the mews, my favourite has to be the last one with the blue house and the bike.