Camden Passage, Islington

This is still

what most non-Londoners

first think of

when you say

"Islington".

Now there are more

"up to date" boutiques like "Hexagone" (specializing in all things French).

But the "fripes" at Annie's

 (and the unbearable whiteness

 of being)

still rule at Camden Passage.

Now you know where the costumers

and set-dressers come for little details and inspiration...for all those gorgeous English costume dramas.*

Yes, you can take a break for frozen yogurt

and pick up dinner at a hipster fish monger's

But the low, or no overhead, vendors remain with their books and bric-a-brac.

Between the daily bread purveyors

and the natty head surveyors.  Bobo Islington

still retains the whiff of Downton* days.

Even if the toffs have traded their topcoats and tails

for buckskin and fringe.

At Camden Passage the past will live on.  And tea-time will always be NOW.

Merijn Hos for the Weekend

I found these via Famille Summerbelle.

The artist is Merijn Hos, from the Netherlands.

They're like a cross-between David Hockney stage sets and Alexander Girard Dolls.

Both of which I adore.  Giving me ideas for that pile of leftover wood in my yard!

Have a fan-tab-u-lous weekend all!

Canal Walk - Maida Vale to Regent's Park, London

It's just marvelous isn't it?

A watery alternative universe

plunked right

in the middle of

London.

This walk starts in Maida Vale near the Warwick Avenue Tube Station.

Did you know that Richard Branson's Virgin business empire originated

in a houseboat in Maida Vale?  (Also known as Little Venice.)

Or that some scenes from A Fish Called Wanda

were filmed here?  Such a characterful place.

And, since it IS England, just because you live on boat, doesn't mean you can't have a garden.

The route is changeable and full of surprises.  At just about Lisson Grove near St. John's Wood it's necessary to rejoin the street above and then.....redescend........to the water.

Some boat dwellers live in "gated communities"on the canal, that you will not have access to, or that are locked at night.

Brilliant blue paint and miniature gardens are a consistent theme.

I think you might know what I thought about encountering this character.......

I WANTED TO BRING HIM HOME (to L.A.!) WITH ME !!!!!!

A very jaunty and creative bunch seemed to be inhabiting

this particular stretch

of the canal.  But its character changes rather abruptly

as you enter Regent's Park.   Just above

the London Mosque with it's twinkly minaret.

Great doings are underway, apparently.

And yes, those are PRIVATE HOUSES set in prime London real estate.

And yet, cheek by jowl.... right next to...the London Zoo.

More specifically, the warthog exhibit!  (No, really!)  The hyenas are in the next enclosure over.....

and across the canal from them....a peacock aviary.  One does have the sensation by this point of having falling down a particular kind of rabbit hole where thing's do get.....

curioser and curioser.

Because this segment of the London Canal route ends in

a.......Pagoda!  That floats!  (And where you can eat Chinese food!)  I was not expecting that, were you?  

One is reminded again of the saying:  "when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson

Busy Week Back

It was somebody's birthday so a little cake was made and some celebrating done.

I had a bit of a campaign to extricate myself from jury duty.  That took up two days!  (Don't ask.)

Some planting was done.  Doctor visits.  And I'm still a little pooped from leftover jetlag.

I haven't forgotten you.  Just wanted to let you know.  I'll be back next week.  Till then,


HAVE YOURSELVES a great WEEKEND!