Street decorations

This year the Christmas lights on Regents Street continue across Piccadilly into St James's. The theme of 'The Spirit of Christmas' is a modern interpretation of the first ever Central London lights scheme in 1954.

The very first Christmas Lights display on Regents Street had trumpet playing angels strung across the street. This year, in honour of that first year they have constructed 16 hand crafted 'Spirits'. The Spirits have a 17 metre wing span lit from beneath by spotlights. The wings are studded with tiny LED lights which twinkle in harmony creating a ripple effect along the street.

More spirited figures can be found above the streets leading to St Christopher's Place just off Oxford Street.

Christmas reflections

New Bond Street decorations reflected in this shop's window.

These large baubles move up and down in the centre of Selfridges.

One of Liberty's windows which this year features scenes from the Nutcracker at the Royal Ballet.

Anthony Gormley

Last month I went to the White Cube in Bermondsey to see a new exhibition by Anthony Gormley, the sculptor. The title of the exhibition is 'Fit' and 'makes reference to both the citizens of a city like London and the migrant seeking refuge.' Gormley's work focuses on the human figure and sometimes it is obvious and other times you can only see a figure when you are viewing it from one particular spot.

This human shaped 12 metre long tunnel invites you in to explore. It only has the one entrance and on entering the confined space you are engulfed in darkness as you try to reach the end. Only one person at a time is allowed to enter. It is a  surprisingly unnerving experience and a couple of people had to come out before getting to the end.

This is 'Sleeping Field' and consists of 500 small iron sculptures. At first it just looks like random blocks of metal like a miniature city. But take a second look and you see the blocks as human figures in different states of rest or despair.

Return of the boots

It is well over a year since I have been hiking. I had a slight tear in a tendon in my leg which has taken a long time to heal and then lots of physio and acupuncture. Walking on flat ground presented no problems. Walking on uneven ground was unbelievably painful but  I am now well on the road to recovery and am back in the gym as well as increasing the distance I walk. No real hiking yet but I am working towards that soon.  So on a beautiful frosty morning I decided to put the boots on and go for a gentle 6 mile walk.

This is a newly built estate in Kidbrooke about a 15 min walk from where I live. They have landscaped the area really well but the apartment blocks are still built very close together.

A short distance from Kidbrooke is the Cator estate. It is a large 282 acre site laid out in the 1820s with the building of private roads. The houses are a mixture of detached mansions to these blocks of flats.

These blocks have the advantage of being surrounded by greenery and space. Not something you see nowadays.

Once through the Cator estate you enter Blackheath village which  overlooks the open space of the Heath

At the other side of the Heath is Greenwich Park which is about 3 miles from where I live. It was beautiful in the park.

The pond was frozen in places

 but enough water for the ducks to enjoy.

I love the contrast of the deciduous trees and the evergreens in the park.

This fallen tree is known as Queen Elizabeth's Oak. This ancient tree is thought to have been planted in the 12th cent and to have strong links with King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. It died in the late 19th cent but a strong growth of ivy supported it until it collapsed in June 1991.

Winter time is the perfect time to spot the hundreds of parakeets that live in the park.

From the top of the hill you have views over London.

I decided to leave the park and have a wander around Greenwich village. The market was very busy with lots of people looking for Christmas gifts.

Closer to the River Thames and the Cutty Sark was ready for visitors.

I wandered round the town for a little while and then decided it was time to make my way home. The walking boots were just as comfortable as ever so next time the walk needs to be on more challenging terrain. Kent here I come.
Sharing with James at Weekend Reflection

December is here

Mistletoe and baubles are the theme for Covent Garden 's Christmas decorations this year.