Absence makes the heart grow ......

Monday, 27 February 2012 18:45

I am back! Does absence really make the heart grow fonder? (Yes. ed.) I am certainly glad to be back on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and narrowboat Epiphany. I have been down in South London for a school reunion. Quite an experience! I am not too fond of London but the suburbs do have some lovely parks.

Kelsey Park sign

Kelsey Park is one such park and one of London's "lungs" ........

It is not quite the country, or the waterways, but there is a lake and on a very sunny warm winter day everyone was out enjoying the delights of Kelsey Park in Beckenham. Here are some photos for you to enjoy, taken on my phone so maybe not quite as good as usual!

I love trees and this line of silver birches caught my eye

The crocuses were out - unlike on the roof of Epiphany

Even in London the waterfowl have to share with those dratted Canada Geese

The lake had geese, seagulls, ducks of various sorts and swans

The locals are very proud of Heron Island and keep a count of the herons which return year after year to breed. My phone does not zoom enough to get the nests and baby birds but we saw them on the nests and a few juveniles on guard. 

Heron Island

If the buildings that surround the lake can be ignored it is a very wonderful scene.

During my childhood in London, a few miles from here, we had two parks within walking distance and the wonderful Crystal Palace Park was a bus ride (or a long walk) away. I passed it every day on my way to school. How I wish that the glass palace had not burned down and that the grounds still had the Victorian elegance. A map of the park and facilities gives an idea of the size of the original park. The dinosaurs there were my introduction to ancient history!

Back at Kelsey Park - the lake in all its glory

We shall soon be on the move again, Spring is around the corner, the best time for cruising!