Common kingfisher

Whilst out on one of my 'underground station visits' I happened to see a Common Kingfisher. They may be called Common but they are not common to me. I was thrilled to have spotted it and fortunate to have my camera to hand.

I wasn't out in the country but in the middle of a London suburb. The path I was on was very busy as it went from a housing estate to the local High Street. I was looking at this fallen tree over the river when a splash of colour caught my eye.
 

No mistaking a Kingfisher.

Urban walk

 My first walk of the year was a five mile one lead by a new leader in our u3a Rambling Group. We like to have a variety of walks to cater for our different interests. I do guided walks mainly in Central London as well as country walks in Kent. 

We have tried to persuade members of the group to lead maybe just one or two walks a year and share their favourite walks. So today Kate showed us one of her local walks.

12 of us set off through the high rise blocks of Lewisham.

A heron was spotted next to a large pond in the middle of a housing estate. The walk took us across Blackheath and then onto the Thames Path.

The pigeons loved the old pier.

The first snowdrops of the year

The snowdrops were blooming around the base of  this mulberry tree. It is thought that the tree was planted in 1698 by the Tsar Peter the Great who visited this area at that time. during his visit to England. It was a very enjoyable walk to start off another year of u3a rambles.

New Year 2024

 

Happy New Year to everyone. A big thank you to all who read and comment on this blog but a special thank you to those of you who read and comment on my other blog: Above the Underground. It has been ten years since I gave myself the challenge of visiting and writing about all 272 underground stations. I still have over 80 more to visit but I am determined to complete the challenge. I am well aware the posts are long but they record the visit more for myself than others. That's why I am thrilled if someone reads the post and comments.

Looking back over 2023 I am pleased that I managed a few trips: Chicago, Albania, Menorca and Bratislava( which I still need to write about). Unusually I have nothing booked for 2024. There are a couple of major events happening which will curtail my plans. 

Hope you are all enjoying the day and I wish you all good health and happiness for the coming year. 

Merry Christmas from London

 The shops on New Bond Street in London all look so festive. I much prefer looking at them than the lights on Oxford Street.

This is Savile Row, home to many of the world's best tailors.

The windows of Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly

Inside the store

Falling Christmas puddings. These went up and down at regular intervals.

Inside the Savoy Hotel.

It looked magical in the reception are of the hotel.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a little of London's Christmas decorations. I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.

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UFO Bratislava

The Most SNP is a bridge over the Danube built in the late 60s. At one end is a restaurant and observation tower known as UFO. 

On our last day in Bratislava the weather cleared and we decided to view the city from the UFO tower. There is a lift and then a staircase taking you to the observation area above the restaurant. What I hadn't expected was it being in the open air. All other observation towers I have been up, you are protected by glass windows. The shock of stepping out to.be confronted by high winds up there took my breath away. Obviously there is a wall surrounding the area but I didn't feel that comfortable. Clinging onto my hat I quickly took some photos and then went back down to the next level which was the restaurant.

The views were excellent. This view looks back over to the old town with the castle on the hill.

A number of river cruise boats moored on the Danube allowing the passengers to disembark for a day trip to the town.

 Looking in the opposite direction towards Austria. Vienna is less than an hour's drive away.

Can see more bridges over the river.

Warming up in the restaurant. A much more comfortable way to admire the views.

Bratislava 2

Bratislava had a few sculptures around the town but this was my favourite.

Many of the old streets are cobbled.

A lot of the old town dates back to the 12th and 13th century hence the narrow streets.

I loved the architecture. This is the Opera House

The children's museum

The Town Hall. The Christmas trees in front of the town hall were decorated by school children.

The concert hall

 

Bratislava

 

I am in Bratislava, Slovakia, this weekend to have  a look at its Christmas markets  as well as its main tourist attractions. Unfortunately it hasn't stopped raining since I got here and the forecast is much the same for tomorrow with the possibility of snow.

The Christmas markets are mainly food and drink. The smell of the food as you walk around the market stalls is mouth watering.