January 31......

A remarkable sight in a metropolis as big as London.....

Empty London Underground carriage. 10.10pm. Earls Court to Richmond

January 30....

On the doorstep....

Orleans House. 4.37pm

Marble Hill Park. The confusion of life. Whether it be nature, human or otherwise. 4.42pm

18th century history. Marble Hill Park.  4.45pm

Orleans House. 5.01 pm

January 29....

A post Sunday lunch walk to burn off the lamb shanks, red wine and cheeseboard.

The Marble Hill (pub). 6.55pm

January 28.....

Illiteracy affects all ages. Teddington lock. 10.53am

January 27.....

London on a clear cloudless brisk winters day. These sort of days make living in this country almost bearable. Almost.

Sometimes I sits and thinks. Other times I just sits. Ham Common. 11.32am

Oh dear. Richmond Park. 11.47am

January 26.....

Reflections.

January 26 - Australia Day and a long way from '' home '' .

Waterloo Station to Hounslow via St Margarets. 4.34pm

January 25.....

Learning another language. Italian. This will be interesting.

Richmond. 7.00pm

I think it would be fair to say that if you are rowing a scull along the Thames River at 9pm in the middle of winter then you are pretty committed to your sport.

Thames River from Richmond Bridge. 9.15pm

January 24....part II

The things you see as you cycle en route to the local DIY shop.

Richmond Park. 3.47pm

.

January 24........

There are always plenty of examples to help keep ones feet planted firmly to the ground. Especially when it comes to self pity. Whenever you think you have it tough in life take a look around and you will find plenty of examples that will make you think again.

So you think your job is tough? How about standing on a piece of flimsy scaffolding in driving rain and 5 degree C (40 F)  weather beating a cold steel chisel into brickwork as you repoint the wall?

11.52am 

.

January 23....

A worrying sign of the times. Take a walk along Richmond high street (not exactly the poorest part of town) and a common sight is.....

A small clothing shop now closed

An outdoor clothing and camping shop gone into administration

A woman's clothing shop (Oasis) closed down

A  Moroccan restaurant closed down

A health food business shut for good

What was once a household name of quality furnishings. Into administration

A teens clothing shop. This one was only in business for 7 months!

A candle and perfume business. Closed for good

A fruit and vegie seller beaten into oblivion by the chainstores

January 22...

The French Alps at the natural best

Courchavel. Les Trois Vallees. 11.34 am

January 21......

Picture postcard beauty in the French Alps following 2.5 ft of snow overnight

Les Allues. Les Trois Vallees. 7.45 am

January 20....

Inviting conditions. Or b.

Post liquid lunch. Probably not the smartest thing to be doing

January 19...

Surely , only at Geneva airport

January 18....

Ever get the feeling you are slightly different to the ones around you ? Thames towpath. Richmond to Windsor. 12.32 pm

Bank Tube station. The commute home. Not missed. 6.21 pm

January 17.....

A trip into town......

3.58pm. St Margarets station

4.37pm.  Piccadilly tube station

4.39 pm

4.41pm ..Piccadilly

5.22pm 

5.25pm ""The Old Coffee House'' pub. Beak Street.  Check out the alcohol volume on that puppy.

11.27pm....and now to get home

January16...

East Sheen Waste Disposal centre. 1.10pm

The amount of rubbish we throw away got me thinking today ...

Did you know

• Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled.
• The unreleased energy contained in the average dustbin each year could power a television for 5,000 hours.
• On average, 16% of the money you spend on a product pays for the packaging, which ultimately ends up as rubbish.
• As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin could be composted.
• Up to 80% of a vehicle can be recycled.
• 9 out of 10 people would recycle more if it were made easier.

and

• • 1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
  • 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
  • 1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours.
  • 70% less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials

January 15......

A 30 km bicycle ride on a cold but clear winters Sunday morning

Teddington Lock Bridge. 9.27am

River Thames. Teddington Lock. 9.29am

Local fauna in Richmond Park sitting peacefully catching a few rays of warmth and undoubtedly pondering the complications of life as a fox living in a metropolis.  10.18am