Having run out for my traditional Sunday morning coffee yesterday and seen how (almost) springlike the weather in London was, I decided to make the trek up to pretty much the highest point in London, Hampstead Heath.
Arriving there by tube for the first time, rather than the 24 bus that would have taken about 3 weeks to dodge past the masses at Camden, I emerged onto the rather nice Heath Street, which was full of baby shops, nice-looking Christmas wreathes on doors, and had it been a weekday morning, probably full of mummies looking to spend their money. I was really impressed by its villagy feel really, especially its quaint, traditional-looking street signs:
The Heath itself has no obvious entrance and so getting onto any 'main' bits was more down to luck rather than judgement. Deserted in parts, hugely muddy in others, this was dog walkers' heaven and I think I must have patted and stroked more friendly and overenthusiastic dogs than I have done for months. I also, easily got to see at least 3 seasons in one afternoon, being really autumnal in some parts:
and most definitely winter in others, with frozen ponds in the more exposed parts:
There were also quite a few signs of blossom and other flowering plants beginning to emerge, which although it looked nice didn't quite seem right somehow, we're miles from spring yet. One thing that I'd forgotten about however, that did make me smile was seeing this on the way out. I don't think the swans had much competition, to be honest!:
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