As promised, I had to get out and take a walk yesterday to work off my oysters and filet mignon. I decided to go back to Hampstead Heath. I hadn't walked the main part of the Heath in ages -- not since Olga died. So I was long overdue for a visit, even though I knew it would make me miss Olga.
Autumn leaves in London are usually not that colorful, at least in wild places like the Heath, but I passed this tree in Hampstead that was such a pure yellow -- amazing against the blue sky.
There are still some vestiges of Halloween hanging around out there!
I saw loads of squawky parakeets on the Heath. This one was using the leaves of a tree to keep the sun out of its eyes.
From the northern part of the Heath near Kenwood House there's a good view of the city through the trees. I definitely hadn't been up in this part of the Heath in a long, long time.
The blackberries always develop a lot of color in the autumn.
These are the gardens near Athlone House, another area I haven't seen in ages. Remember when I took photos of Olga there, in front of the blooming azaleas? We used to routinely walk through that area but as Olga got older it got to be too far for her.
And of course I finished up atop Parliament Hill, taking in the scenic view of the city. As you can see, the weather cooperated quite nicely. We had a rainy morning but the sun was out all afternoon.
I'm far enough out from Olga's death now that I can take walks like this and not be sad -- at least, not too sad. I did miss her crazy activity -- the mud baths, the Kong-chasing. It's harder to walk so far when I'm not distracted by an amusing dog! I was beat by the time I got back to the house, and I slept like a log last night.
Thank you for taking us along a kind of memorial walk. I did a lot of that after my husband died, but there are still places I haven't been to in what will be 16 years on Nov. 5th.
ReplyDeleteYou had good weather, and the yellow tree looks as if it is lit up from within.
Of course I can't equate losing a dog to losing a husband, but it can feel healing to revisit the old places.
DeleteThe yellow tree is amazing and good colours on the Heath too.
ReplyDeleteThe Heath was mostly yellows and browns but still nice to see.
DeleteGreat views and some lovely photos of the gardens.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the highest spots in London, so it overlooks everything else!
DeleteHello Steve,
ReplyDeleteOysters and Filet Mignon.....now that was some celebration!
It was a far richer meal than I normally eat. In fact I'm still not hungry, two days later! LOL
DeleteReally lovely pictures again - you have such a talent.
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
Thank you! The big camera helps. :)
Delete"I slept like a log last night..." What? With moss and fungi growing on your exterior and insects burrowing within?
ReplyDeleteIt felt like it!
DeleteYou caught Autumn beautifully, I love that view from Parliamentary Hill. Olga was there in spirit I think.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think so too.
DeleteFalls are always when I'm doing my longest walks. Although the weather is just as nice in the spring, I am always hurrying back to get started on something or other. In the fall, I've wrapped or am wrapping things up so I don't feel the time crunch that I do in the spring.
ReplyDeleteGood point -- I suppose it's historically been a season for relaxing after the harvest, right?
DeleteVery nice photos, taken before a very nice sleep.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteYour photos of the leaves are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteA good walk...and good memories
ReplyDeleteYes indeed.
DeleteI'm glad that the walk was OK for you, memories but manageable ones. I'm sure it seems longer without canine distraction! That tree is fabulous -- I think the yellow ones are my favorites -- clouds or sun, they never disappoint and the parakeet was a nice spot in all that yellow!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the yellow against the blue is hard to beat. It reminds me a of a ginkgo, which often turn bright yellow like that. (In fact it may BE a ginkgo.)
DeleteA familiar walk without your companion is always hard the first time,
ReplyDeleteIt still seems weird to be walking anywhere alone.
DeleteI agree that walking with a dog takes your mind off distance. And you haven't done a lot of walking lately, so maybe it caught up with you. Those are nice shots of the city and the contrasting wilder area.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt I'm not in as good a shape as I was when regularly walking the dog!
DeleteThat first walk along one of your dogs favourite routes is a real heartbreaker isn't it. I remember oh so well the first time I walked the canal towpath without either of my girls. My tears would have topped up the water levels. Your first photo of the tree in it's Autumnal colours is simply glorious.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Losing a dog is the worst!
DeleteI read that headline as "Autumn HEALTH Walk" & I think it really was!
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, it WAS a "health walk" in many ways.
DeleteYou have some lovely photos from this walk. I love the Autumn colors and the views of your city!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen!
DeleteGreat photos, love the Halloween house ... I'd leave that up all year just for kicks!
ReplyDeleteThat last view of the city was gorgeous.
It would look pretty funny in April -- but hey, why not!?
DeleteBeautiful pictures, Steve. I know the walk must have made you think of Olga and how much a part of your lives she was for so long. She did love her Hampstead Heath outings, didn't she?
ReplyDeleteShe really did. She lived for those long walks.
Delete(We both did!)
DeleteFantastic pics as usual, loved the red tinged bramble leaves and sweet memories of Olga... I wanted to ask about your cameras, did you get them because you knew you had foxes or did you get them to see what you might get in your garden?
ReplyDeleteBoth! We knew foxes were there but we weren't sure if we had other wildlife. Recently we've been astonished by how many cats keep coming around, and how often!
DeleteBeautiful photos! I especially like that last skyline photo. There is such a great view from up there.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best views in the city!
DeleteFabulous photos, make my heart race! You do live in the most ideal spot on earth! I get the missing Olga emptiness. Purposeless walking- rather "pupless walking- " I rarely go where I walked Dexter . Of course I do not have entertaining walks to do here as you have. Walking in London is always a treat!
ReplyDeleteYeah, walking feels strange and less interesting now, in some ways.
DeleteI agree with everyone else ... beautiful pictures and a lovely walk!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteA slightly bittersweet walk. The photos are beautiful and I'm glad you had a good sleep; fresh air and exercise seem to do that:)
ReplyDeleteYes, bittersweet is the word!
DeleteThe important thing is to get out and make knew activities. You gave us a good look at fall colors.
ReplyDeleteThere are always new things to do in London!
DeleteI've missed the Heath too so thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a regular part of the blog for so long!
DeleteYour photos could be postcards. The last panoramic photo showing the city skyline is especially lovely. The Autumn color continues for you, and the yellow foliage is especially brilliant.
ReplyDeleteWalking the city streets and parks makes a great day to say nothing of the health benefits and even ensures a great night for sleeping.
Nothing is better for sleeping than exercise!
DeleteHave you eaten at Leon? I just read a review on Hand Luggage Only that made it sound like something you would try and so would I!
ReplyDeleteI have never eaten there, but I've seen Leon restaurants while out and about. My impression is that it's Spanish food -- not sure if that's right?!
DeleteBeautiful views! I love those colorful leaves and views of the city. Your walks are much more exciting than mine!
ReplyDeleteI do find it interesting to walk in an urban area, with lots of people and sights to check out!
DeleteThat yellow tree is beautiful! I'm hoping to catch the ginkos when they turn here. The least little breeze denudes them at their peak.
ReplyDeleteYeah, as I said above, ginkgos are always an amazing color. I think the tree in the first photo might even be a ginkgo?
DeleteWhen will you replace Olga. I've been waiting. The views of and from the Heath are absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe'll probably do it when I retire next spring. No point getting a dog right now when we're both working!
DeleteBelated happy birthday! I love the restaurant photo with inside and outside lights. The Heath is looking good now that the leaves are changing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allison! Yes, the "colorful" Heath is a great place to visit at this time of year.
DeleteGorgeous yellow tree! I like the clouds in the final photo, in the top centre, that looks like a bird's head with curved beak and going right there appears a "folded wing" as a diving-for-food-bird might have.
ReplyDeleteGlorious. I’m glad it was a sweet remembrances walk.
ReplyDelete