Exploring my little corner of London

I don’t walk daily, although I should. I do some basic exercises in the flat and pop to the shops every few days, but rarely do I take a stroll around my neighbourhood. I guess this is why I felt less guilty about doing so today and seeing a few people along the way.

From a distance of course.

I am lucky enough to live near a canal (big city problems), it is pretty relaxing to walk along the water with the occasional houseboat sailing by. Despite being right in the heart of London this little area is an oasis of calm away from the traffic, the tranquility even more apparent right now. With hardly any cars crossing the bridges overhead and just a few people on the paths below, I headed down.

But just before I did I had a little walk around the streets. As soon as I crossed the bridge I walked up to some new build apartments, and walking along these streets I wondered how much the houses cost here. Some older than others and all terraced however I know they mustn’t be cheap. The kind you would see in a movie based in London, with railings lining the pavement and steps leading up to the front door.

The classic red postboxes on the corner, too. However these are dotted all around London and the whole country.

It is sad to see pubs like this closed down. They have been a place to meet and for hundreds of years and all of a sudden it has came to a sudden stop. Tables are put up, doors are locked and owners cross their fingers hoping that they can open the doors again someday.

When the pubs are closed on a weekday evening it definitely has an apocalyptic feel.

But where humans are absent nature still thrives. I don’t want to be the person giving it the ‘humans are the virus!’ and all that, instead I prefer to celebrate both humanity and the nature around us. Yes we can sometimes make it difficult to love our own species but we have lots to celebrate. And hopefully we will be celebrating together again soon.

But back to the canal. I would be lying if I didn’t say it had quite a few people along the walkways, but not enough to put me off. Everyone was good at giving space and cyclists ringing their bells to warn me of them approaching. It was quiet enough for me to stop a few times on route and take some shots to share with you, and the weather was great too.

I took a seat for a moment and gazed down the water, I noticed that on my armrest someone placed a sticker there. It was in the shape of an iPhone with a fake screen. Curiosity got the better of me and I read it…

Clearly a shopkeeper wasn’t happy with two girls being noisy in a store and refused to sell them alcohol, so the girls decided to take action and tell the world. No one should be refused a sale of course under such circumstances, but I do find it funny how the age and genders of all three were important in this story and were mentioned.

Justice for Erica!

This is Shoreditch Park, right around the corner from where I live in Hackney. I didn’t realise how beautiful the views were from here. London’s skyline looks great and I can even see the Shard, despite it being over 2 miles away and over the river Thames!

No wonder it seems like a popular place for exercise. And despite its popularity people were good at keeping a distance. It can easily look overcrowded from a distance, but it is a big park. If anything the canal was a bigger threat.

I wanted to share this beautiful skyline with you on a perfect day in London. I am pleased I went out for it and got back just in time for the weekly ‘clap for the NHS’, which is an organised applause at 8pm on Thursdays for those treating people during the pandemic. If anything it seems to be getting louder each week, and I am delighted about that.

So some good views and good news from today’s post!

Speak to you all soon.

 

 

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Due to the Coronavirus outbreak I am somewhat limited as to what I can do in London, but I aim to post as much as I can during this time. I promise to have some great posts coming your way once this is all over as I continue to explore London.

Stay home, stay safe and happy blogging!

Sam

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