Walking Olga yesterday morning, I noticed once again this picturesque dry cleaning and alterations shop around the corner. The dresses in the window caught my eye (they didn't do a Halloween display this year) and I loved the tied upstairs curtains and the soft-looking jack o' lantern on the ledge between the windows. The original shopfront, with its leaded glass and Welsh dragon mosaic on the doorstep, is always eye-catching. I've shot this same view at least twice before, in 2016 and 2022.
After dropping Olga off at home, I grabbed my camera, walked to the corner and took a few shots. On the way back, I happened to see one of our famous neighbors; I kept the camera down with the lens cap on, so she wouldn't think I was stalking her.
Back at the house, though, I realized my pictures were all unfocused, because I'd set the camera to manual focus for an earlier shot and then forgotten. Argh! So I reset the camera to autofocus, went back to the corner and took my pictures again. A photography teacher years ago taught me to always reset the camera when you've changed your normal settings, and I didn't. Lesson learned! At least it was a shot I could easily retake.
Otherwise, it was a quiet day at home. I've got 80 pages left in "Bleak House." I couldn't finish it over the weekend, as I'd hoped, but I am so close.
I did some garden clean-up, cutting back dead stuff and trimming the part of the neighbor's extremely large and vigorous rose bush (aka "the monster") that overhangs our patio. Mrs. Russia came out on her terrace and apologized for Saturday's power-washing; she said she and her husband hadn't even thought about the effect it might have on our windows. She offered to clean them but I declined. They're not that dirty this time around, and I'll do them again in spring anyway. I appreciated her kind offer, though.
I also trimmed the front garden a bit, but only as a temporary measure to let more light into the dining room. (The huge hebe bush was blocking about a third of the window!) I've got to find out where that issue stands. Remember, the front garden is supposed to be the landlord's responsibility, and we've asked for a trim but I haven't heard anything in months.
Olga was up and down all night. At first we thought she was sick, but I think she was actually hearing foxes. She went out this morning and ran around barking and wheezing and generally making a geriatric scene. So fierce!
The shop front is very nice but it does need some TLC.
ReplyDeleteThat was nice of Mrs Russia. They seem to quite the fusspots.
It does need TLC, but I like fashionable deterioration!
DeleteAll that fierce power washing - it's surprising that it hasn't formed a leak into your property. However, it's admirable that you were able to negotiate with Mother Russia without resorting to nuclear weaponry.
ReplyDeleteI know! It does seem counter-intuitive to warn about leaks and then use a pressure washer on that same surface.
DeleteI take back what I said about Mr. Russia... well, it doesn’t apply to Mrs. Russia. Nice to know she thought about it. Thanks for going back to West End Lane N.W. 6! A great image.
ReplyDeleteYeah, she really did try to make amends (though I could tell she didn't want to wash our windows, LOL).
DeleteVery cool , intriguing shop - the building is lovely- ghost curtains and weepy pumpkin , delightful! Nearly all of my feed on istagram is from London walks/buildings/culture- London is full of surprises and perspective- walking around for free seeing and experiencing astonishing history- Love it! When living life day to day- meal to meal dog poos and neighbors , do you ever forget where you live and the opportunities at your doorstep , I wonder. Living up here in the north I forget the beauty of it all, We live in an amazing world!
ReplyDeletehttps://livinglondonhistory.com/crusaders-and-kings-the-fascinating-history-of-temple-church/
DeleteI'm sure I do take it for granted to some degree, but I also never cease to be amazed when I find a particularly historic place. It was pretty cool going downtown a few weekends ago and seeing the Monument, for example.
DeleteIt really is a lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mrs. Russia might be growing on me.
She tries, but I also think she is a major driver of Mr. Russia's obsessive tendencies.
DeleteThat shop is really beautiful. Love the windows -- all of them. Wish I'd seen that en route to your house -- we just wanted to find your house! So thanks for posting it. That was thoughtful of Mrs. Russia. And boy, were you productive!
ReplyDeleteIt's around the corner in the other direction from the high street -- going toward Finchley Road. So you probably didn't pass it!
DeleteI'm like you. I've run into some celebrities over the years but I'm always too self conscious to take a picture.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I used to see celebs out and about in New York and while it was always exciting, I would never have taken a picture (or, God forbid, asked for a selfie).
DeleteCan you imagine what it's like to live with Mr. Russia? I mean, it's bad enough living downstairs from him, separated by floors and ceilings. I wonder what their children are like.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Olga was doing guard duty with great intensity. You are safe with her!
I have a lot of theories about their home life!
DeleteI would LOVE to have one of those dresses! They do make a very picturesque image.
ReplyDeleteThis morning when I walked past, the lights were on and it was even more picturesque! Maybe I need to go back.
DeleteI find it a bit hard to believe they really didn't know that dirt had to go somewhere..
ReplyDeleteAs for the famous neighbor, I'd never have known her anyway! Celebrities are safe around me. I wonder if foxes are mating? I know November is rutting time for deer. They're probably not getting much sleep. Nor is Olga. Of course she doesn't have to go into work!
Yeah, I'm not sure about the reproductive cycle of the foxes!
DeleteIt was fun to see how that shop front has changed over the years. That was nice of Mrs. Russia to make that offer.
ReplyDeleteI think she did feel bad, but like Boud said, how could they not have wondered what happens to all the dirt?
DeleteThat Halloween shot really highlights the lovely windows and that cool mosaic. They should keep dim lights always glowing behind those windows.
ReplyDeleteGuard dog, Olga! How brave!
They did have dim lights on this morning! Maybe they turn them off over the weekend? I should see if they're on tomorrow. Another photo may be warranted.
DeleteThe shop front provides lots of interest. The dresses on display, pumpkin, window curtains, and tile entry is welcoming in a subtle, come right in sort of way. Lots of interest there.
ReplyDeleteI am seeing red foxes early in the morning when preparing breakfast. They are moving about lately.
Olga wants to be large and in charge, caring for her family. Wildlife roaming brings out brave Olga!
She believes herself to be younger and stronger than she really is!
DeleteDon't we all?
DeleteThe pumpkin and the curtains in the windows are my favorite things in this post!
ReplyDeleteThere is something great about those tied-up curtains!
Deletewhat a coincidence! I wrote today about pruning back my own monster rose bush yesterday.
ReplyDeletethe armadillos and possums (both active at night) drive Minnie crazy. when I let her out for the last time before bed she charges straight out barking like mad hoping to catch one unaware.
Ha! Dogs are so funny. They have to declare their dominion over their "turf"!
DeleteTough to have neighbors who may mistake what you're doing. It was good that Mrs Russia realized that they might have made a mess for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was good that she acknowledged they hadn't thought about it.
DeleteToday I saved a plant and it was clear to me that it was something I learned from you...
ReplyDeleteYay! Isn't it uplifting?!
DeleteVery nice of you to respect your famous neighbor's privacy. Does she know you're a neighbor?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she has no idea who I am! She might recognize me as someone who's wandering around the 'hood a lot.
DeleteOlga will protect you from those foxes! (just like my cat protects me from the other cats walking along our fence) I need to prune some dead stalks; they're starting to bug me. Now if it would only stop raining!
ReplyDeleteThe gardening shows say to leave the dead foliage as protection for insects, but it's all so unsightly. I struggle to find that balance!
DeleteIt's a very pretty little shop, I wouldn't mind passing that several times a week. I say go ahead and trim that Hebe, you've already alerted the landlord who has done nothing. Good to hear of Olga still guarding her territory.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a lot of work, though. I'd really rather have someone else do it!
DeletePoor Olga!
ReplyDelete