Pubs with no Beer - London Lockdown Day 38

The days are zipping by! The dreaded cabin fever has not hit yet, even though it would be appreciated if we could spread our wings a little further. But as someone said once, “We no complain!”. 

One of the many emerging delights visible in our wanderings! Beautiful yellow peony rose.

A daily walk has been possible where we have enjoyed the rapid changes, in the parks and gardens, due to spring. The “navigator and co-driver” has been a little “superior” in attitude when the weekly report from the FitBits has placed her on top of the chart for a number of weeks now. 

The co-driver and current Steps Champion!

Thought I would catch up on a few steps by placing my FitBit on Leelou’s collar for a while! 

The wonderful wisteria is just amazing around the streets.

 Saturday saw the commemoration of  ANZAC Day in Australia - highlights of the “driveways and candles” method was reported on the BBC’s evening news. Even the park we frequent on our walks had Aussie and Kiwi flags on the flag pole. 

Flags at St Peters Square Park.

 Keeping in mind the government’s requirements for social distancing, we were able to meet up with Kevan and Maddie over the weekend. It had been a few weeks since we had been able to do this. They both looked extremely well - both enjoying the working from home routine. 

Maddie keeping up he fitness regime!

Perhaps, the two dogs, Chilli and Leelou, enjoyed the outing as much as the dry-noses!

James , Chilli and Leelou! 

Thirsty work!

On the way down to the Thames we pass the massive Fuller’s brewery. There has been beer brewed here for the past 350 years. There are a number of pubs surrounding the brewery. One such is The Mawson Arms commemorating the 17th century Mawson family who owned the brewery, and were associated with the  rapid development of the brewery,  as we know it today. 

The Mawson Arms and Fox and Hound - two pubs stood on this site in earlier times. Unfortunately, closed at the moment. 

Prior to this being a brewery, The Mawson Arms was the home of the great English poet and essayist, Alexander Pope - considered to be second only to Shakespeare in the poet’s league table. 

Greek Athlete - bronze statue in St Peters Square Park

Critter captured - the energetic squirrel. 

The lovely lilac. 

St Peter’s Square Park - the majestic Horse Chestnut Trees are starting to bloom in the park. 

A very busy time - have been able to finish my grandfather’s story, One of the Best. 

Hogarth - London Lockdown Day 33

Climate change must be making its presence felt here in the UK. The weather has been just outstanding for this time of the year. Part of the problem for the government is that weather has been so good that it has encouraged people to get outside into parks to take advantage of the sunny days. 

We again joined the outdoor socially isolating Brits on our daily walk. It is interesting to note that as the time goes by people are more aware of keeping their distance - except for the runners and riders who generally seemed to think they control the roads and paths!

Our promenade took us again through the Old Chiswick Cemetery where we came across the grave of William Hogarth, “father of British painting”.

With his statue gracing the High Street in Chiswick it seemed to be appropriate that his monumental grave is close by. 

This led us to check out more of his paintings and why he is considered so highly in the history of  British art.

The satirical series of “Marriage A-la-Mode”. A tale of an ill considered marriage for money and social position.

Hogarth’s  commentary on life in Georgian London, “Four Times of the Day”.

Hogarth’s Portraits. 

The route through the cemetery is always a clear pathway where many of those out and about don’t seem to venture. Perhaps we have discovered all the interesting burials at this stage. 

We returned home and pottered around as per usual. 

V2 - London Lockdown - Day 31

Staveley Road cherry blossom trees.

The street that runs along the west side of Chiswick House and Gardens is famous for its flowering cherry trees. Here in Staveley Road and annual Blossom Festival is held in April each year - except this year!! The trees were planted in 1932 at the same time the houses were built. It creates a very picturesque street scape for both the locals and any visitors. 

What we discovered on our walk was another notable event that occurred in Staveley Road. The first Nazi V2 rocket missile to land on London was here in Staveley Road. A plaque has been placed where the rocket landed on that fateful day in September 1944. 

Plaque at the spot in Staveley Road where V2 rocket landed.

 The explosion killed three and demolished 11 houses. This quiet part of London was in shock, and the extent of the devastation was not reported in the paper so not to highlight the extent of the damage, or, the extent of the fear it could engender. 

Staveley Road 8th September 1944 after V2 rocket attack.

 Later V2 attacks on London and other cities were reported but the locations were overstated so rocket guidance systems would be recalibrated, causing later attacks to fall short - away from populated areas. 

The tranquillity of the street today belies the turbulence of that day in September 1944. 

Our trek home took us back through Chiswick House and Gardens. It was here that we were able to get up close to the majestic Grey Heron strutting along the creek bank. 

Grey Heron at Chiswick House and Gardens. 

Later, we made our way back home to James’ apartment where the day seems to be pretty full. Cabin fever hasn’t been a problem. There were many distractions to keep us busy for the rest of the day. 

VC - London Lockdown - Day 28

It looks a bit like we are a starting to build an archive of historical aspects of Chiswick. Today we walked back through the Old Chiswick Cemetery again. 

Here we found an interesting tomb; that of a British soldier who won the VC (Victoria Cross) in the Zulu Wars in South Africa. It was in this 1879 war that Private Fred Hitch’s  courage earned him the VC. 

The grave of Fred Hitch VC at the Old Chiswick Cemetery.

The Zulu War was fought over the British wishing to united the tribal lands and the Boer Republic into one federation. One obstacle was the powerful Zululand and it’s army (the other was, of course, the Boer Republic). The war is notable for several battles, including an opening victory of the Zulu at the battle of Isandlwanda, followed by the defeat of a large Zulu army at Rorke's Drift by a small force of British soldiers, 

It was at the battle of Rorke's Drift that Fred Hitch won the VC, presented to him in person by Queen Victoria while he was still in hospital at Southampton.

An artist’s view of  The Defence of Rorke’s Drift by Alphonse-Neuville.

Just over 150 British and colonial troops defended the Rorke’s Drift against attracts by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. Whilst wounded Hitch continued, under great duress, supplying his fellow soldiers with ammunition.

More photos of the grave of Fred Hitch.

The 1960s’ film, Zulu, depicts this battle. Hitch was portrayed in the film by one of the actors. 

Hitch was repatriated back to the UK where his life proved a little difficult. Unable to physically hold down a labouring job he took up taxi driving, firstly with horse and carriage, and later with a motorised vehicle. The taxi industry has not forgotten him, for on the anniversary of his death a number of taxi drivers meet at his grave to honour his memory. 

Just wondering what else might turn up in this cemetery - I’m sure it has many stories buried here. Perhaps another visit in days to come. 

More buried stories?

The Beatles - London Lockdown - Day 26

The Camelia House at Chiswick Gardens. 

We are being spoilt with the weather at the moment. Yes, another clear sky and warm sunny day. We headed out for our daily walk, again today, and found ourselves  revisiting Chiswick House and Gardens. Each day we seem to find something that captures  our  interest leading to a fuller picture of the area where we are spending so much of our time. 

Today, we ran into Alan again, the chap we met in the cemetery the other day. He is a font of knowledge, having interesting stories of this local area. He directed us to the Camelia House at Chiswick Gardens where a modern day music video was produced over 50 years ago. 

It was here, in 1966, that The Beatles created a colour video clip of “Paperback Writer”. 

"Paperback Write" music video produced at Chiswick House and Gardens in 1966.

The cultural importance of this production is that it is considered to be the birth of the music video as we know it today. Locals who were at Chiswick House on that day speak of themselves just happening upon four young guys with guitars at various locations around the park. Just another day in the park it seemed, except these were THE Beatles, and they were about to record their timeless video for “Paperback Writer”.

Photos of the Beatles in the Gardens of Chiswick House in 1966.

They also produced a music video of “Rain” on the same day. “Paperback Writer” and its accompaniment “Rain” would feature on the album “Revolver”, along with “Eleanor Rigby” and “Tomorrow Never Knows”.

More Chiswick Garden photos but couldn’t find the Beatles anywhere!

Whistler - London Lockdown - Day 24

Lovely day here in London - cool, crisp, spring air with a warming bright sun. Thought today with our daily exercise, we would try the walking path along the Thames. Our thinking was that being earlier in the day we might miss all the runners and joggers and their sprays! It worked to a limited degree - still needed to coverup when one went past, even with “distancing“!

The tide was in today, so a slightly more pleasant outlook. The Thames isn’t the prettiest of rivers in this part of it's course, but surround environs hold their own attraction (plus, huge pound value!). 

Blooming wisteria near the Thames!

… and more wisteria.

The wisteria has now started to bloom in many gardens, changing fairly drab brick buildings into much more attractive places. 

The Thames walking path looking back towards Stamford Brook.

Thames houseboats at rest.

The Thames looking towards Barnes Bridge.

On our walk today we met an interesting chap, Alan, near the Old Chiswick Churchyard. Alan pointed out a famous grave in the topside of the adjacent cemetery. This was the resting place of James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), the famous American artist who was based primarily in London. The Tate Gallery sums up his work as follows:

"He was averse to sentimentality and moral allusion in painting, and a leading proponent of the credo "art for art's sake". ...his art is marked by a subtle delicacy, while his public persona was combative. He fond a parallel between painting and music and entitled many of his paintings "arrangements", "harmonies", and "nocturnes", emphasising the primacy of tonal harmony." 

James McNeill Whistler's grave in the Old Chiswick Cemetery. 

A selection of Whistlers famous paintings: Symphony in White, No. 1; The Artist’s Mother; Symphony in White No 2: The Little White Girl; Arrangement in Pink, Red and Purple; Nocturne: Blue and Gold - Old Battersea Bridge; The Artist Studio.

As we were wandering out of the churchyard, we noticed a headstone that read of a family member who was buried in a Hobart cemetery, Tasmania. Perhaps the cemetery was at Queenborough Sandy Bay.

Headstone in the Old Chiswick Cemetery.

Easter

A very quiet but enjoyable Easter. Life is still centred around being isolated as much as we can. 

Daffodils still presenting a lovely display. 

Our daily walks seem to be a routine that doesn’t have much variation,  but our interests is very much exploring different new parts of the neighbourhood.  

A certain pattern that is typically English - but very expensive!

The changing seasons is so much more pronounced here in Britain than we experience in Hobart. It possibly because there are so many more deciduous trees and plants in the environment. At the moment the change is very rapid, helped along by a number of days in the 20s. 

Some brilliant small gardens have been particularly noticeable. We have been watching the blooming of a peony rose bush. Yesterday it was just large buds but after a particularly warm day this is what we saw today:

Beautiful peony.

This Easter cartoon circulating around the net was particularly clever given the time and circumstances the world finds itself. 

The past week has seen a return, after many years of dabbling, to editing some of the family history stories that have remained in a very poor condition. In the process it was interesting to locate an old photo with my grandfather gracing the image. Second right, second row. 

What a gem! Wynyard 1905 premiers.

The weather is what we are used to, 25 yesterday and about 10 today - jumpers on, jumpers off weather! 

Lockdown London - Day 17

Events have moved on considerably in the outside world. The world is in lockdown - apart from Sweden. Perhaps there may be a flight to Stockholm at some stage!  

The strange thing is that we are feeling satisfied as to the situation in which we find ourselves. We are being well  looked after by James , and checked on by Maddie on a daily basis. What a role reversal! 

Father and son, plus faithful little companion.

Food becomes a big part of the day. We have discovered hidden talents in our son who surprises us with his culinary skills. 

A tasty burger!

An individually cooked stir-fry by James.

The weather is warming at the moment and consequently the changing season is most noticeable. Our daily exercise leads us to various local parks and gardens. A return visit to Chiswick House highlights these changes. 

Spring bursting forth at Chiswick House.

Some leaves starting to emerge from their winter nap!

More colour at Chiswick House.

A little disturbing is the noticeable increase in the number of ambulances that are whizzing by the apartment. It is a stark reminder that we need to be vigilant in our daily movements. 

Anyway, my navigator and co-pilot made some delicious fruit muffins yesterday. Still enjoying these today!

Delicious fruity muffins.

Another Day, More Isolation

Another day and another walk!  Today we headed down to the Thames, passing through an old part of Chiswick. The bow front Olde Burlington was typical of many of the buildings we passed. 

The 15th Century Olde Burlington.

Doorway at The Olde Burlington

The Thames was at low tide, not making it a very attractive sight. Many people make this the mooring for their houseboats. High and dry!

The tidal Thames

Thames houseboat.

The small corner shop along the path is too small to adhere to the social isolation rules, so they set up their business under a gazebo in their front space. And the food looked delicious. 

The Mari

The Black Lion 

Then we came across an iconic riverside pub, The Black Lion. It could tell some stories!  

The Thames riverside walk.

Our plan to walk the path along the edge of the Thames was thwarted by the number of folk who had the same idea as us. To keep our distance we quickly changed our route. 

On the way back we came across a very picturesque street scape surrounding St Peters Square. 

St Peters Square streetscape.

St Peters Square streetscape.

St Peters Square

St Peters Square - interesting camellias.

St Peters Square - euphorbia and daffodils.

St Peters Square - more euphorbias and spring colours.

St Peters Square - and more daffodils and tulips.