26 June 2015 - Hyde Park

Another early morning breakfast catch up with Winette.  Yawning now, but very definitely worth the lack of sleep to make the most of the time we have in London to have a weekly breakfast with my dear friend.  She gets up at 5 AM every day to commute to London for work.  How's that for dedication!  I was reflecting today, that whilst I enjoy visiting London despite the crowds and the grubbiness, I am very grateful that it is a choice and not a necessity.  We are so fortunate to live in Australia with open spaces and fresh air and plenty of it!

Clock at Waterloo - under which many people meet as in "Meet under the clocks"

Old window at Waterloo Station

We are pushing through with the newly discovered reading program which seems to hold Luke's attention and motivation currently!  It will be great to do during the semester break and with a few incentives he should keep up to date.

Hyde Park

 It was a lovely summery afternoon and we walked to Hyde Park. Hyde Park was alive with people and it turned out there as "The Who" playing there as part of a summer festival.  We hadn't been to the Serpentine area of the Hyde Park before with its rowboats and pedal boats  and cafes.  We found a shady spot and sat for a snack from home before continuing our walk around the Serpentine.  The bird life was astonishing which intrigued and occupied Luke:  Many varieties of geese, some ducks of varied species and beautiful swans, one carrying two little cygnets on her back!  Delightful! It is a wonderful haven of greenery and large bodies of water in the middle of this city and it is well utilised by many.

Birds everywhere - spot the goslings!

One of two cygnets resting on their mother's back.

Red Crested Pochard

Fountain plaque!

Hyde Park Police Station - what a workplace!

Luke studying a tufted duck

In some places the gardens are manicured and lovely and in other places the grasses are long and people and dogs can be spotted lying down and resting.

Ah! Place to refill our drink bottles!

 When we were passing the lovely Norfolk Square Gardens there was a festival happening and a band playing and a quite a crowd.  There was also a NatWest (bank) tent set up giving out "freebies" including sensational coconut and tangy jelly beans, key rings and more!  We had a lovely chat to one of the staff there and walked away with a bag of goodies! 

Thanks NatWest for the goodies!

We wandered home and the afternoon cooled down a bit so it was pleasant walking.  The coot family we have been observing on the canal on their nest of rubbish, seems to be gathering quite a  crowd of observers.  It was haircut night for the boys and then a relaxing Friday evening!