Exploring a new area

 I'm into my 2nd month now in my new home and almost all the boxes have been unpacked. I've painted all the rooms that needed a refresh and now it's time to explore my new surroundings.  Although I have only moved about 6 or 7 miles I don't know this area at all. I still have to use the sat nav when driving but am becoming familiar with a few routes now. Buses are my preferred method of transport locally and the train for my London jaunts.

Today I checked out a local walk I have found on the internet and discovered that I am a 20 min walk from woodlands.

This is Shirley Windmill, built in the mid 19th century to grind the local grain. Milling eventually ceased here in the 1890s with the introduction of the more efficient steam rollers. The mill has survived the ravages of time and has been  restored to what we see today. I believe it is open on a number of days each year so I will be able to see the inside on another visit.

A five minute walk from the windmill and I am into Addington Hills woodland area.

How this car got here I've no idea!

There is a mixture of heathland and woodland.

Today was not a particularly clear day but I could make out the tall buildings in the City of London on the horizon.

A bit closer were the High-rise blocks of Croydon.

I was very pleased to discover this green area within walking distance of my new home. I wonder what else I will find.

Amsterdam

 I spent a couple of days in Amsterdam this weekend. I was so fortunate not to be affected by the closure of Heathrow on Friday. Fortunately as chance would have it I booked to fly outwards via London City Airport and return via Heathrow. What a stroke of luck.  If I had done it the other way round I would not have been able to leave London. 

The weather was fabulous and myself and my daughter spent most of our time outside walking around and taking advantage of one of the many canal trips on offer.

Central station.

One thing you cannot avoid in Amsterdam and that is the number of bicycles. You really need to be cycle aware when walking around as the cyclists take no prisoners.

So many beautiful cafes and a great selection of delicious food.

You cannot leave Amsterdam without admiring all the flowers. We were not here long enough to visit the tulip fields. Maybe a good reason to return.

New Home

 I have now moved into my new home. It is much smaller than my previous house and so I have had to be ruthless with what I could take with me. The legal side of buying/selling property in England is a fairly long drawn out process and it can fall through right up until the last minute. I had a couple of very stressful issues but all that is behind me and I am happily ensconced in my new abode.

I am living on a small housing estate which is surrounding by greenery.

Until 1903 this was farmland which became individual residential homes for children surrounded by parkland. It closed in 1983 and by the end of the 80s a new development of town houses were built. 

It is an area I am not familiar with and I am looking forward to exploring the locality. It is much closer to my daughter and her two children and has the advantage of a large railway station a short bus ride away. Yesterday I went into London and was pleased to see that it only took 10 mins by train to London Bridge. I am still living in a London Borough and am therefore still entitled to free Travel. A huge advantage of living in London. No doubt I will be posting more about this new area as time goes on.