Posts tagged Autumn

0545 It was another really great sleep. I’m glad I’ve gotten over the waking up. Outside there’s light cloud and it’s crisp.

0653 Breakfast.

It’s my last day in England. As usual, it feels weird with so many emotions.

On one hand: I feel satisfied. I’ve had a brilliant holiday. But I miss Em. I miss my yoga classes. I’m a little over living in hotels. The holiday has been a real thought incubator and I’m keen to work through some future plan ideas. And I have another overseas holiday coming up in just 33 days. I’m ready to go home.

On the other hand: I love this place. I wish I didn’t have to leave. I don’t really want to leave. And I don’t want to go home to summer.

0830 I head out with my camera. The cloud cover is thicker and it’s misty. There’s a new building in London I had hoped to photograph but it’s so misty that my idea is not going to work. Instead I slowly make my way to St James’ Park. It’s cold. Although I’ve been out in lower temperatures, for some reason it’s getting to me today. I rug up with hat and scarf. I’d wear my gloves if I’d brought them with me!

St James’ Park is beautiful. Yet another painting in autumn colours. And very quickly I notice the squirrels. They’re everywhere and they’re super active. I spend some time on the hunt for good photos. A couple stare me down and I have to back off.

1030 I continue on to Hyde Park. Also beautiful, but more open. I move on to Kensington Gardens before looping back again.

1230 I stop for fish and chips at the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park. Just right.

I’m still feeling quite emotional when I think about my pending departure. I try to soak up every last sense of being there.

1300 What now? I’ve done enough and would be happy to relax back in the warm hotel. But part of me sees that as a waste. But the reality is I feel I’m done for now.

1310 I slowly head back. It feels even colder now. I savour it.

1330 I catch the Jubilee line from Green Park to Waterloo.

1340 I arrive at Waterloo for the last time.

Today I carried my tripod with me but I didn’t need to use it. I haven’t taken it with me many times because I couldn’t find a convenient way of carrying it. If I just clip it to my bag it swings around. If I just carry it over my shoulder it keeps feeling like it will drop off. Finally today I realise that if I clip it to my bag AND carry it over my shoulder it‘s just right. A bit late maybe. I‘ll keep it in mind for my next trip.

1400 I‘m back in the hotel. I need to re-pack now to check that everything is going to fit. If not, I‘ll still have time to head out and get another bag.

1450 I‘ve re-packed and everything seems to fit OK. I spend some time looking at my photos from the day.

1550 I‘m relaxing in front of the TV. I head off very early in the morning, so it will be an early night to bed tonight.

England 2018Ian Barber23 November 2018UK, Squirrels, London, Autumn, Kensington Gardens, St James‘ Park, Hyde Park Comments

19.11 Hampstead Heath and The Regent’s Park

0100 I’ve been waking on the hour. This time I glance outside and notice the moon hovering over the skyline. “That would make a great pic”, I think. But I shouldn’t bother now. I need to sleep. Oh, why not. I get my tripod out and have a go. It doesn’t capture the feel but at least I tried. I read a bit, then try to get back to sleep.

0500 I awake as usual. Despite a poor night I will do my usual routine. I’d like to get to breakfast early so I can check it out when it’s quiet. Tomorrow I might try to sleep in if I haven’t slept so well again. I look out the window; London is already getting busy again.

0630 I go down to breakfast. It’s the most diverse and extensive buffet I’ve seen.

H10 is a Spanish hotel chain and seems to cater for Spanish speaking travellers. I noticed lots of Spanish speakers out last night, so I assume it’s a big market.

In the last few days I’ve felt a little travel fatigued (#firstworldproblems) but being in London and also reflecting on this holiday has reinvigorated me.

0700 It’s cloudy as the sun rises. I work on my blog from yesterday.

0800 Time to do some planning and look up timetables.

I’ve just realised that if I look out to the far right of my window I can see the London Eye.

0910 I head out. The weather today is forecast to be partly clear with rain periods. I decide to do outside things while I can. I think the rain will get heavier as the week progresses. My plan is to head to Hampstead Heath first. I’ve been there before but would like to see it in Autumn. I’ll then make my way back through the key London parks.

0924 I catch the 168 bus to Hampstead Heath from Waterloo Road. I don’t think I’ve caught a London bus before, so I choose this over the tube.

1015 The bus gets to Hampstead Heath. I make my way to the park. No sooner do I get there that the wind whips up and showers start. I need to put my good camera away and use my iPhone at first. I walk around, visiting Parliament Hill, looking for photo opportunities and enjoying the surroundings. There are showers, sunny periods and icy wind blasts. Many people are walking in the park, most with dogs.

1200 Time to move on. I’ve made my way to Hampstead underground station. I catch the Northern line to Euston.

1210 The train gets to Euston. I find my way to The Regent’s Park. Again, there are showers and sunny periods. I wander around most of the Park. I don’t think I’ve been here before. It’s larger than I realised, with lots of sections, walks and gardens.

1400 I’ve walked a lot and I’m getting tired. Time for a rest. I stop at a café in the park. I have a piece of beetroot chocolate cake and a coffee. The cake is delicious!

1430 I had planned to visit a couple of other parks but I’m worn out. I make my way to Baker Street underground station and catch the Bakerloo line back to Waterloo.

1445 I get back to Waterloo station and walk back to the hotel.

1500 Back in the hotel, I change and sit in the bar/lounge downstairs as I go through my photos.

1530 A heavy but brief downpour.

1700 A quiet night as usual.

England 2018Ian Barber20 November 2018UK, Autumn, The Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath, Walking, London Comments

03.11 Manchester to Buxton

0600 I was in bed by about 0800 last night. No dinner; just bed. The travelling had finally caught up and I desperately needed sleep. The bed in the hotel is so soft and comfortable. Perfect for drifting off. I have a number of deep sleeps until I wake at 0230 fairly alert but definitely groggy. After that I drift on the edge; trying not to think too much to avoid fully waking up.

The hotel is part of the same chain as the hotel I stayed at in Oxford last year. They have great 1 cup coffee filter “bags”, so I make myself a brew while I check up on social media and start to think about the day. This has become part of my holiday routine for the last few trips.

0730 While planning my day I discover news of industrial action on the line when I check train times. It shouldn’t cause too much trouble but limits my choices. I‘ll aim for the 0924 train.

0800 I head down to breakfast. I go for the full English to stoke the fires for the day.

0850 After a quick repack I‘m ready to check out. Luckily the station is only 5 min walk from the hotel. It‘s overcast and slighly breezy. It’s cold but while I‘m walking I‘m easily warm enough in jacket and t-shirt, as expected.

0924 On board the Northern line train to Buxton. Stopping at Stockport, Davenport, Woodsmoor, Hazel Grove, Middlewood (when the countryside begins), Disley, New Mills Newtown, Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dove Holes and Buxton. There are only a few people on the train. I use the bike carriage for my luggage as they don‘t appear to have luggage racks on the other carriages.

The leaves haven‘t finished falling yet, so there is some colour around. I try to get some photos from the train but the windows are dirty and light is not so good.

1024 We arrive at Buxton. It’s a short walk up the hill to the hotel. A bit more effort than I had expected, but not too bad. I check in early and my room is ready. In fact, they move me to a better room that has a view of the park (the first 3 photos are of the hotel and my view).

1100 I head to the Pavilion where there is an information centre. I want to find details of walks. I buy a couple of maps that should help me to plan my stay here. There is a market in the pavilion selling food and craft. I buy a delicious sultana and cherry treacle slice for a late morning tea.

1230 I have chosen a short walk that should give me some views of the area. I head off. Early into the walk I‘m not happy with my photos; they’re too washed out. I play with the light settings on the camera and change to overcast. Massive improvement; I never realised it would make such a difference.

I‘m following a simple map and written description of the walk. After a while, things look wrong. I retrace my steps and follow what I now think is right. It takes me on a narrow trail through the woods. I like it very much, but I don’t think it’s the right one. Eventually, I meet what must be the trail described in my guide. So many of the trees are golden. I head towards Solomon‘s Temple, not having any idea what it is. Then I see this small tower at the top of the hill. The wind is blowing a gale. I shelter behind a brick wall to try and take some photos for a panorama. Another person joins me at the spot to take a photo.

I walk up to the top of the tower and it‘s even more blustery. It reminds me of the day Em and I climbed the tower at the Cliffs of Moher. After the tower, I head back through the woods. There are lot‘s of people strolling about. It‘s so beautiful.

1500 I‘m back at the Pavilion at the end of my walk. I drop by the market to get another treat. This time forest fruit treacle slice. I‘m feeling a little tired; it was a very strenuous walk and climb. But I‘m not feeling any significant jet lag. My feet are sore though. Walking around the town in this late autumnal weather was delightful.

1530 The clouds are heavy and it‘s starting to look dubious. I decide I‘ve given it a good go today and head back to the hotel to look at my photos and write this blog entry.

1800 I decide to try out the restaurant in the hotel for dinner. I have tomato and Aubergine soup, chicken breast with cannelloni beans and honey tart. It’s all very nice; I will dine there again.

During dinner there are ever increasing bangs outside. I have no idea what’s going on until I overhear a discussion. Tonight is Bonfire Night. I remember that from years ago. And the local fireworks are being set off just in front of the hotel. After dinner I look out the window of my room to catch the show. It’s only small but the fireworks go on for a very long time.

2000 I’m feeling tired now. It was an active day and I think it’s time to get to bed. I might listen to some music first.