All aboard - steam train at Winchcombe station

Once again it's been far too long since I updated this blog. However, with the splendid weather we've been having for the past few weeks I've been trying to spend as much time outdoors as possible. The vegetable patch is looking good, and I've also managed a few 30 mile+ bike rides now, which apart from the saddle sore, are finally becoming a bit easier. Over the bank holiday weekend I took my bike when we went visiting relatives and came across this fantastic sight at Winchcombe station in Gloucestershire, part of the restored Gloucestershire Warwickshire railway. Unfortunately the family's small blue camera appears to be (hopefully temporarily) missing in action, so all I've been able to use is my mobile phone, where the picture quality is a bit poor.

Further along the ride I came across an inviting cream tea offer at Beckford, but unfortunately it was too early in the day :-(

A pleasant evening bike ride

It's not often that I feel compelled to post twice in a day on this blog, but after my hard day battling the demons of finance processes, I managed to escape on a bike ride. Whilst I didn't have my camera with me again, I did have my phone which takes pictures ... sort of. These are not the best quality snaps in the world but they do convey the sense of space and wonderful weather we are enjoying at the moment. My bike ride was only 13 miles along a mix of road and off-road, but some sticky mud patches to negotiate along with some hills which I'm sure get steeper every time I go up them.

I might try and fit in a longer ride over the weekend but apparently the garage needs cleaning out !!

46 to Farringdon Street

What marvellous weather we are having in the UK at the moment. Yesterday was so warm that I decided to take a trip up to Hampstead Heath after work before I headed back home to the sticks. The 46 dropped me just before Hampstead underground station, but instead of walking on an up on to the Heath, I decided to take a left instead, which took me down past Hampstead Parish Church. Immediately to hustle and bustle of the noisy street disappeared and really I could have been anywhere. Immediately before the church I took another left hand turn which took me down a track called Frognal, which eventually turned into a road, flanked either side by wonderful houses. And the great houses continued pretty much until I arrived at West Hampstead, where the pubs, cafes and bistros were all swarming with people sitting outside enjoying the early Spring weather.

My only regret was forgetting my camera. I did try and find some commons licensed pictures of Hampstead on Flickr but was not very successful, so I'll have to make do with a picture of and a link to this great book about Hampstead (left hand side for UK readers, right hand side for US readers).

From West Hampstead I walked down through Brondesbury, Kilburn to Queens Park, where I discovered a "new road", Lonsdale Road. It's the home to architects, bistros, dance studios, etc., and was a complete surprise to stumble across this and it almost looked out of place. I eventually ended up back at Paddington, somewhat tired but feeling richly rewarded for my evening's endeavours.

More London spaces next week, when hopefully I'll have remembered to take my camera.

414 to Putney Bridge

Unfortunately this blog has been a bit neglected recently. It's been financial year end which has caused all sorts of madness at work, we've had a big family wedding, I've been out in the vegetable patch, and I've also been trying to fit in as many bikes rides as possible in the mild weather. I did manage to find some Space the week before last when, during my lunch break, I managed to escape to Hyde Park. I always find it incredible that this park is in the middle of London ... given this particular shot it could be anywhere.

Hyde Park, London, March 2011

As far as finding new spaces is concerned, I embarked on another of my bizarre pat times, random bus hopping. This week it was the 414 to Putney Bridge, as the recorded announcement rather annoyingly reminded me every 2 minutes. Sat in the front seat of the top deck of a London double-decker, this was an interesting bus journey passing Harrod's, the Victoria and Albert museum, and several other places I'd need to look up on the A-Z to remember. The bus stopped just before Putney Bridge, where I got off (sorry, that should be alighted or disembarked) and strolled across Putney Bridge. I had intended to take some photos but unfortunately I only had my blackberry and it was a bit hazy. I've made a note to revisit later in the year, armed with camera.

Music wise I am still tracking down CDs mentioned in Rob Young's excellent Electric Eden, and on the current playlist are Mr Fox and Bridget St John.

Here's a link to a few of my current favourite books and CDs