It feels like forever we've stayed at home, watching a lot of DVDs, baking and pottering. I love to potter, but I think sometimes that is my default mode rather than making the most of this rather fabulous city I live in. So I'm changing my point of view, and trying to be more like a tourist.
With this in mind I ventured out on Friday, and after dropping Brooke at nursery me and Taya caught the 436 and went to my old stomping ground of Vauxhall. (Such an odd expression, have images of myself in big boots stamping all around SW8 now). We went to the little City Farm which is really cute but does only take 10 minutes or so for an impatient toddler to get around. So rather than heading straight home I took her to the lovely gardens abutting Bonnington Square and Harleyford Road. Chris and I used to live on Langley Lane about 6 or 7 years ago (why can't I remember/work it out?!) and we loved it. We lived in a big Peabody Trust flat in a mansion block and enjoyed the bohemian feel of the neighbourhood. It's a real hidden gem, just off the main road but totally charming. There is a garden in the centre of the square which the locals manage. It has an old water wheel, swings, benches and even a hidden tiny bottle (which you can write your name in if you find it.) The square also has the Bonnington Cafe which is again run by locals. There used to be a knitting shop too but it's now a deli. Plus, we also went to Vauxhall Park which has a lovely playground, model village and all sorts. Plenty to keep little miss entertained, and there was the picnic of course which we shared with a robin in the garden. Well, I had a lovely time taking Taya round my old haunts. Of course she was more interested in a dead mouse than anything I had to tell her about the area, but it was nice to take her there and think about the person I used to be then and wonder about the person I'll be in another 6 or 7 years.
And from 6 or 7 years ago, same places, different faces.
With this in mind I ventured out on Friday, and after dropping Brooke at nursery me and Taya caught the 436 and went to my old stomping ground of Vauxhall. (Such an odd expression, have images of myself in big boots stamping all around SW8 now). We went to the little City Farm which is really cute but does only take 10 minutes or so for an impatient toddler to get around. So rather than heading straight home I took her to the lovely gardens abutting Bonnington Square and Harleyford Road. Chris and I used to live on Langley Lane about 6 or 7 years ago (why can't I remember/work it out?!) and we loved it. We lived in a big Peabody Trust flat in a mansion block and enjoyed the bohemian feel of the neighbourhood. It's a real hidden gem, just off the main road but totally charming. There is a garden in the centre of the square which the locals manage. It has an old water wheel, swings, benches and even a hidden tiny bottle (which you can write your name in if you find it.) The square also has the Bonnington Cafe which is again run by locals. There used to be a knitting shop too but it's now a deli. Plus, we also went to Vauxhall Park which has a lovely playground, model village and all sorts. Plenty to keep little miss entertained, and there was the picnic of course which we shared with a robin in the garden. Well, I had a lovely time taking Taya round my old haunts. Of course she was more interested in a dead mouse than anything I had to tell her about the area, but it was nice to take her there and think about the person I used to be then and wonder about the person I'll be in another 6 or 7 years.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Trying to share a Wotsit with a robin |
And from 6 or 7 years ago, same places, different faces.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Alyssa aged 2 |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Chris, Mr and Mrs Cuckoo |