Meanwhile in town

April 29, 2020 by famapa in london

After more than five weeks in lockdown we finally dared to head into town on our bikes to see what the city looked like on Sunday morning. It ended up being a 30km long bike ride, and such a weird and interesting one at that. Even though it was amazing to see, it was also quite sad to see the city so devoid of life. On Regents Canal just before King’s Cross we saw this couple having what looked like the most possibly chilled and romantic day you could ever dream of. I waved at them and shouted “That looks so nice!!” and probably ruined the moment…

We knew we wanted to head towards the Thames first and so we did. Designated bike lanes in London are so rare, but they’ve built these new ones in the past few years, and I hope they’ll make many more of them.

I got a total shock from seeing the river so flat. Never in my 27 years in London have I seen it like this. You could probably skip stones on it! The low tide must have helped though.

I waved to my shadow, because I tend to do that.

After we crossed Blackfriars Bridge we cycled past Waterloo and then back to the north side across Westminster Bridge. I kind of don’t recognise the city with the water still like that. It got busier here; most people were also cycling, or running, very few were walking and hardly anyone driving. I hope once this is all over more of us will cycle and walk to places than before. I know I will.

We headed towards Buckingham Palace, but I had to do a U turn to take this picture of the lake in St James’ Park as it was so picture perfect.

Outside the Palace, where there’d normally be a huge crowd. So surreal.

Nice to see these ambulance drivers doing something so normal in these not normal times though.

We passed by The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, and I hope that we get to look at art in person again this year.

At the bottom of Regent Street. I suggested we headed into Soho from here, and as soon we got in there you could hear a pin drop. It was SO quiet.

It wasn’t only we who cycled through Carnaby St.

Came across this poem on Great Marlborough Street. I’ve tried googling it, but I can’t find out who wrote it. I like the “Listen close in the sky” line.

Aaaaah, The Pigeon Pond. ;)

I’ve gone past this pub many a time, but never stopped to take a photo. It was so strange to be able to stop in the middle of the road, and not have to worry about any cars.

I can’t believe that in future history lessons about the pandemic in 2020, kids will read about how we panic bought toilet paper more than anything else. Idiots.

Heading back home, cycling past this queue in Belsize Park. We used to live in the flat above the black square sign with four circles on it on the right. Feels like 100 years ago.

Amazingly we weren’t exhausted when we got back home, the daily bike rides have definitely made us all much fitter, as well as the Joe Wicks workouts. In fact Mr Famapa and Oomoo have clocked 273km (170 miles) on the tandem bike this month! I’ve got a really bad headache today and I feel quite queasy, so I’m cancelling the day and heading back to bed. Hope you’re well!

Magic circle

April 27, 2020 by famapa in everyday life

Look at what I found at the bottom of my glass of tea the other day! The weather for tea in the grass is no longer with us, but I’m actually looking forward to a bit of bad weather. Maybe now I’ll be able to watch some of all the good art docs and virtual tours of museums that I’ve been meaning to do since lockdown. Silver lining innit.

15 389 steps

April 24, 2020 by famapa in everyday life

Went for a 3 hour long walk on Tuesday with D and the camera. I thought we’d head up to Highgate and have a snoop around streets we’d never been on. On the way there we saw this tight cluster of shrubs and trees who definitely were not adhering to any social distancing rules.

I was intrigued to check out some streets that were hidden from the main road, and it didn’t disappoint. There was a cluster of maybe 20 or so houses that must have been built in the 60’s and 80’s there, and ridiculously I didn’t take any pictures of the actual houses, but just random stuff like a house number.

Or someone’s thank you note in their window.

And some nature winning at growing where it wanted.

The close where the modern houses were are below some much older Georgian houses that we were inspecting the back of here.

This very happy door is on the front of one of those Georgian houses.

And this friendly fella is saying his hellos to passing children and 44 year olds with cameras.

Just past Pond Square is this house, which is one of my house crushes in London. It looks insanely cosy from the street, and we can’t help but wonder who lives in house like this, with those heads there like that.

We just kept walking and walking, and ended up on Hampstead Heath.

I haven’t been back to the Heath since the Ladies Pond shut, and was curious to see if anyone was there guarding the gate. There wasn’t. Before the lockdown I had checked out this fence to see whether I could climb it and keep swimming (conclusion: easily), but as soon as it shut it felt disrespectful to the place to do so, and incredibly selfish.

A bit further down on the street towards the Men’s Pond I saw this window with it’s collection of decanters. Nice.

And a bit later we saw this lucky dog having a dip in the Model Boating Pond (yep, there is such a pond on the Heath!), and I was WELL JEL.

The Ladies Pond from the one spot where you can see in. I swam in here everyday from the 2nd of Jan until the 21st of March. It was pure magic. All those ladies just getting on with it, and either diving in or descending the ladders into the silky cold water, and later coming out grinning and so full of life. I wonder how they’re all getting on now.

On the way home we spotted a rainbow - larger than some, smaller than others.

Not being able to go and look at art makes you look at people’s driveways and houses, and stop and take pictures of them like some sort of weirdo.

Because HELLO!!! There’s so much pretty to look at right now.

I felt amazing that evening; I’ve really missed my long walks, and it’s so nice to live near someone who likes to take them too (Mr Famapa and Oomoo are bike people - and I love that too). As far as I know there are no time restrictions of how long we can be outside for; the rules are simply keep 2 metres apart, no more than 2 people if you’re not from the same household, and NO stopping. Soooo grateful for that. Have a good last two days of the week (I mean, what’s a weekend right now, eh?)!