Shorter Days

The days are getting shorter and colder, but the vegetation is getting more colourful. We were also lucky in the past few days to get interludes of beautiful weather; sunshine and blue skies and mild temperature.

You know me, I seize every single opportunity to get out and breathe some of that semi-fresh air. It's a time to clear the mind, get some exercise and, of course, some photos :)

I'm lucky to have access to multiple parks around where I live, but what I love to do sometimes is actually travel away from my area to explore other parts of London on foot. Driving around the streets is one thing, but nothing familiarises you with a place more than walking through it. Your mind actively engages with where you are, especially if it's your first time there. You're also moving at a slow pace so you have time to to take in everything you see.

It wasn't my first time at this park, but I spent more time than when I was here last time. I noticed a few new things. Not new. I mean I hadn't noticed it the previous time. It's a nice looking cafe in the middle of the grassland bit, just before the parks becomes woody. I may have to return to there for a cup of coffee and enjoy the nature there, but it will have to be on a warm day. Maybe next spring time.

The only thing I might not enjoy is the free-running dogs, of which there were many, that would make me feel a little unsettled. I'm not necessarily scared of dogs. I'm just not comfortable with them. I find them unpredictable and startling, and they can also sense that, so it becomes a vicious circle the minute I encounter them. It's pretty difficult in a country like England where everyone loves dogs and they're everywhere, and everyone assumes everyone is ok with them. So, even in parks where there are signs up asking people to keep their dogs on a leash, many people just let them run free because "my dog is nice, she won't do anything...". Anyway, those are stories for another day lol.

Honestly, I'm not looking forward to this winter at all because, again, stories for other days.

Peace & Love,

Adé