Back to Hyde Park

Dave had to meet with some colleagues yesterday to help with a work-related project. His meeting was in Queensway, near the northwest corner of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. So I went with him and brought Olga along on the tube for a visit to the park.

Hyde Park was our regular stomping ground when we lived in Notting Hill, so perhaps she remembers it from her puppyish years. She seemed pretty comfortable rolling in the grass with Kensington Palace in the background.

The leaves on the horse chestnuts are an unbelievably fresh, light green.

I definitely noticed a difference in Olga's stamina. When we used to visit Hyde Park we'd make a loop all the way around, and she would chase squirrels like a crazy dog, running wide circles around me at top speed. This time, we walked maybe two-thirds of that distance, and she trudged along and was even a bit grudging about it. She seemed to want to lie down more often. I think our lady Olga is showing her age.

(Granted, we didn't see any squirrels -- if we had I'm sure she'd have taken off after them. Plus it was a warm day.)

We stopped for some water and a bite to eat (vegan wrap) at a food stand on the Serpentine, and watched the swans nibbling underwater. Then we made our way across the grass and sat for a while under a tree near a huge group of twentysomethings -- mostly women -- flying rainbow flags. I figured Olga and I definitely fit in at any queer gathering!

Moving on, we noticed that someone added a pair of glasses to one of the figures on the Joy of Life Fountain.

Finally, we left the park and walked through Mayfair, toward the Bond Street tube stop. Olga dutifully posed next to some of the careful plantings in this very chi-chi neighborhood.

After taking the tube home, this is how Olga spent the rest of the afternoon and evening. She's still snoring away on the couch as I write. We'll take it easy today!