An Urban Wander near Gloucester Train Station

Having arrived too early for the hospital visiting hours, I decided to take a short wander to see what was around. I knew the area near the hospital was close to the one remaining Gloucester station, but was amazed at the size of the area that the old railway sheds and sidings used to occupy. This whole area seems to have been left pretty much to decay following the years of its abandonment and disuse, with I'm guessing all the investment and development going into the restoration of the Gloucester Docks instead.

Former engine shed and railway sidings, Gloucester

Former railway sidings, Gloucester

Former engine shed and railway sidings, Gloucester

Former engine shed and railway sidings, Gloucester

Former engine shed and railway sidings, Gloucester

Former railway sidings, Gloucester

Former engine shed, Gloucester

Abandoned building, Gloucester

Abandoned car park, Gloucester

Abandoned car park and building, Gloucester

Abandoned building and car park, Gloucester

    

A short Urban Wander around Queen's Park and Kensal Green, London

Unfortunately I had nowhere near enough time to do this area justice, and only managed the briefest of urban wanders during a short lunch break.

I've posted about the Kensington Gasworks previously when I wandered along the Grand Union Canal, but had not seen the works from this side before. The view is across the Kensal Green Cemetery.

Kensington Gasworks, London

This was a curious old van. I've seen ones similar to this used as coffee shops, but this one just seemed to be full of cardboard boxes, with a foliage trim to the windscreen. Maybe it's work in progress and will transform into something wonderful.

Old Citroen Van, Queen's Park, London

Not sure who the shadow is in the picture ... ok, well maybe I do. A shame as it was a lovely old VW Van. Maybe I should try and airbrush myself out.

Old VW Campervan, Queen's Park, London

There you go, I said it was brief. Until next time ...

    

An Early Morning Urban Wander around Hammersmith and Fulham, London

This is my first post of 2015, so Happy New Year everyone. My first Urban Wander of 2015 took me back to some familiar territory, but as always I spotted new things and things that had changed since my last visit.

The first picture is all about change. The last time I saw this building at Queen's Wharf, it was boarded up, awaiting demolition. My blog post from a few months ago has some pictures before the demolition started. Now the demolition seems well underway and no doubt this will soon become another new, residential development, wiping out all traces of the former industries that used to line the banks of the Thames, leaving just the names to preserve the memory.

Demolition underway at Queen's Wharf, Hammersmith, London

This café looked tempting, but alas my schedule did not allow me sufficient time to visit. Maybe next time.

Café Plum, Chancellor's Street, Hammersmith, London

This next picture is of the old Harrod's Furniture Depository, which is now residential. I have taken pictures of this magnificent building before, but it took on a whole different persona is the early morning sun.

Harrod's Furniture Depository, Fulham Reach, London

This next picture is the view looking along the River Thames towards Fulham and Putney, You can just make out Craven Cottage in the distance.

River Thames, looking towards Fulham and Putney, London

Palace Wharf was build in 1907 and initially started its life for importing marble, later a plaster works making architectural mouldings, and more recently artist studios.

Palace Wharf, Fulham Reach, London

Another view of the Harrod's Furniture Depository, with the remains of some sort of dock or pontoon in the foreground.

Harrod's Furniture Depository, Fulham Reach, London

And we end with a little bit of urban decay and abandonment. I do wonder if this shops is actually still open as I did not peer around the corner, and the signage still looks current and intact.

Boarded up shop, Petley Road, Fulham, London