I was watching an episode of the student sit-com 'Fresh Meat'. The character Kingsley claimed to have 'gone for a walk' - to cover up for his two-timing - and the amusingly odious JP said 'No one under 30 goes for a walk'. I identified so strongly with that. Recently I have had several conversations lamenting my failure to appreciate the localities where I have previously lived. As a student I never ventured to the river, only two miles away (who knew there was a river in Nottingham?). I rarely even walked around the University Lake. I lived in Westcliff on Sea for eighteen months, and only walked along the sea front when I had visitors.
I spent four years living in the heart of Streatham. I then moved a mile and a half away, making Streatham Common slightly less accessible. But I struggle to think of the times I actually walked on the Common in all those years. Once with friend L, and once with friend H, but other than that...!
I decided years ago that I would regret nothing in life, except where I had caused harm, especialy to people's feelings. I stick by that resolution, but there is a frustration that I didn't enjoy these simple pleasures - basically cost-free - more frequently. Instead of regretting this I must look to the future and remember how many pleasant strolls there are in easy reach of home. On a grey overcast drizzly December day it's hard to feel motivated, but these photos, with grey skies and a lingering mist, remind me of the simple sensual pleasure of a leisurely walk.
I'm not a 'Walker' in any meaningful sense. Health reasons restrict my range to four or five miles, at most. There are numerous articles about the health benefits of walking, tempered with the caveat that the benefit lies only in walking with sufficient exertion to be out of breath. Recently I was in a conversation with a slight acquaintance and she was witheringly dismissive, clearly she had made up her mind that I was not capable of energetic walking - and that that made me a bad person morally. (Another conversation, not involving me) made me realise she was simply an unpleasant person. I'm keen to encourage people with health or fitness problems to try some gentle walking, not strenuous, and hope they feel some of the pleasure I feel. As they build up their confidence and stamina, they will do more. They may take time to reach the required number of minutes of brisk walking so many times a week that would satisfy the Unpleasant Woman, but a gentle stroll helps the physical and mental health of most people.
One March day I caught the bus up to the 'top' of Streatham Common and walked round The Rookery. Schools were in session, so, only tranquility; just a few strollers enjoying the trail-end of winter. It was misty, lending an ethereal quality.
The Rookery is a formal garden, with pond and well.
In the 18th century, Streatham's Wells were renowned for their 'health-giving properties', having three times the mineral content of Epsom's.
A gate leads into the woods and barely noticeable is a small stream, a tributary of Norbury Brook, which flows into the River Graveney, which in turn flows to the River Wandle.
After strolling round The Rookery I walked briskly down the Common and along the High Road to Hideaway. Not a jazz fan, I have never been in the evening, but it's a great place to catch a snack lunch. Also reputed to serve the best breakfast in Streatham. I was happy with my roast vegetable pie.
My previous bloggage:
Streatham Common
Streatham photo album
Other blogs:
Pleasure and Payne - from London Postcode Walks
Rookery - from Diamond Geezer
Pensive Moments in The Rookery, Streatham - from The World, Myself and I
Morning Walkies Streatham Common - from Don's Photography Blog
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