Nov 4, 20202 min read

Wanderings on a strange day

Updated: Jul 26, 2023

Today (3 November 2020) felt very odd. The eve of Lockdown No. 2 in England. The turbulent US elections. Taking some time out between contracts, after a hectic year's work. It didn't feel at all like a Wednesday.

So I took myself off for a long walk in my local neighbourhood and saw a variety of things that cheered me, inspired me and, in some cases, gave me food for thought.

Ufford Park

First up was a lovely bit of scrunching through a huge pile of autumn leaves in Ufford Park. Not sure my trainers were too happy about it, but hey!

South Bank

On to the South Bank, cutting through the lovely green space at Coin Street I saw beautiful pink flowers still in bloom, trees with ornately curling branches, and soft grasses rising up against a deep blue sky. Then onwards to the National Film Theatre, where the popular second-hand outdoor book market was in full flow again.

The riverside was vibrant with people making the most of the last day of non-lockdown freedom. I stopped to admire the beautiful lamp posts that nestle the wall bordering this section of the Thames. I also spent some time studying the dining pods that could be the future of eating out during lockdown periods in the colder weather to come.

Next up, a lovely wander into Foyles for a bit of book browsing, and re-emerging with two very different titles that I'm really looking forward to reading.

I was also excited to see a new eatery - not yet open but hopefully soon. I love the very cool hoarding artwork!

Hoarding for a new Afro Cuisine eatery at South Bank

Under the arches

On my way home, I had a further - and for these times, very apt - visual treat in the form of a beautiful artwork by Lionel Stanhope under the railway arch on Cornwall Road. Even the red recycling bins someone had left there synchronised very nicely with the painting's colour scheme!