The Royal Parks - South London

Today I had to write about the property market in an area of South West London.  I did some research but since I used to live there I didn't need to do much.  Considering why people would choose to locate there, got me round to thinking  about the Royal Parks that are nearby. The two that are close are Richmond Park, and Bushy Park. I always think of the Hampton Court Home Park as one of them as well, but it's not included on the Royal Parks website.

Over the years I've spent a lot of time in them and taken a good few photos. Here's one I particularly like of the lake in Bushy Park.

According to the parks' website, one of the reasons they are important is that "As some of London’s biggest green spaces, they cool urban temperatures, reduce wind speeds and absorb pollution and flood water". You can see lots more facts and figures about them here.

Growing up in Green Spaces

In the latest National Trust magazine I found a photographic competition. It’s part of their focus on getting people back outdoors, so the brief is to ‘capture your favourite green space and the way people enjoy it’. It got me thinking about the photos I’ve taken down the years, and how many of the ones I’ve taken of my youngest granddaughter were in one of those green spaces. They form a lovely record of her growing up.

Here's one taken in January 2006 in Richmond Park near London. She was two and a half.

And here's how she and her mother were enjoying the green space together that day.

I'll be sorting out some more as the years went by. It should make a good series for my blog.

Wordless Wednesday: Ducks in Richmond Park

View From Richmond Park

I'm too pushed for time to write a blogpost  today, so I thought I'd show you the view from our picnic spot in Richmond Park a couple of weeks ago. We had a lovely lazy time in this beautiful spot while the sun shone for us.

A Willow

I love willow trees. This beautiful specimen is in Richmond Park's Isabella Plantation in Greater London. I took the picture in April when I spent a day there with my granddaughter. It was a beautiful day and like lots of other people, we had taken a picnic. You can just make out some picnickers on the grass behind the tree.

Isabella Plantation

This little stream meanders through the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, which is one of Greater London's Royal Parks. I was there recently with my granddaughter, crossing and recrossing it on the little wooden bridges placed there for visitors' delight. I don't know what these brilliant yellow flowers are called but they really make my picture, don't you think?