Escape to the Country

My little sister Riggy and I quite spontaneously ended up going for a two day trip to Littlehampton and Arundel in West Sussex. We got to the bus stop in Tooting in the morning with our rucksacks packed and no idea where we were going! (we never did plans)... When we got to Balham station we bought two open returns to Littlehampton and got on the train. When we got to Littlehampton we followed the foot bridge over the remote West Beach Nature reserve, a beautiful beach with butterflies, wild flowers and dunes. 

We then walked all the way back into the town, hung out by the markets where I bought a SD card for my camera (left mine at home) before we bought fish and chips from a local chippie and ate lunch by a big pond not far from the sea front. After lunch we decided to go for a ramble, our vague 'plan' was to walk to Arundel, though we had no idea how far that would be and how long it would take. While walking up the river we fatefully spotted a boat which was actually going to Arundel, perfect! We hung about a bit before boarding the boat.

On the boat we met some mates from Mitcham (of all places)!! My OAP soul surfaced and I found myself really connecting to four interesting and wonderful old people on the boat. It was a magical boat ride under the chalk blue sky, with stunning pastoral views, all the while I was talking/ really talking to our new friends about everything, hikes up the wandle, places visited, Joyce's son who is a Muslim! Anyway it was really great to converse and laugh and to learn, when we finally got off at Arundel our friends all waved us goodbye and shook our hands and told us to have a lovely journey and I began to wonder as I sometime do whether we would ever meet again, and how great it would be if we carried on all the way to Timbuktu, what a riot that would be! Ahhh I love England, This is what my blog is all about; depicting every day life and every day connections on our small but very special Island. Truly blessed.

...pastel blue....

 

 

...say hello, wave goodbye....

When we got to Arundel we walked around for a bit before trying to find somewhere to stay for the night. The hostel we thought might be a good idea had been converted into a Christian academy or something. We tried a few B&Bs before finally managing to get a room at Arundel park hotel where we dumped our bags and then set out for another long sunset walk. After our walk we went to the local Pizza Express, before buying some junk food from Costcutter (-a strange moment when I saw someone wearing my same WWT wetlands uniform!-) we then headed back to the hotel where we watched Miranda and had a cup of tea before calling it a night.

 

The next day we woke up early, had breakfast and checked out of the hotel. It was gloomy and grey outside but quite atmospheric. We headed up to the beautiful cathedral where we spent some time being quiet and admiring the stunning architecture. We then headed to another church before following the river Arun again, this time cutting through parts of a forest.

  

  

...downs, in the glum...

After we got back we decided to start the long journey home. The trains were delayed and so somehow we ended up in the town of Horsham. We hung out in Horsham for a bit before finally getting the train via Boxhill all the way to Clapham Junction, it took more than 3 hours! and from there we got the bus home... finally... Tooting sweet Tooting....

Moonlight

Horsenden Hill Sunset

Grand Union Canal

Twilight City

aisha G

my mate aisha recently wrote an article on the niqab, check it; 

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/09/have-you-ever-met-woman-niqab-has-one-ever-harmed-you

The Saison Poetry Library

...new post-work hangout...

the philosopher

-in rain, in colour-

...dejevu, the days blur, 

events occur, one after the other...

like the sunset, after rain (not on the same) day

 

 

Sunset Silhouette

Mister A

The Fried Chicken Shop

....ode to the fried chicken shop....

spot on 

the fried chicken shop

course it had to be clapham

                       wonder what               happened

to all them people,
to all them wings,
to all them legs, breasts and other tings
like a hundred thousand feathers
-small pleasures-
                      freshie dreams   fleshy themes           they call it,           yeah           they call it
grease, bone and flesh
yeah they call it  
         clapham -sense
common hence, 
              it's        < funny >
it's the clapham we all knew
dressed-up yuppies, chunder and G's too
           and don't forget the               misfits
this takes the biscuit   
*&!Y!U!("U!)(
<hahahahaha> but its true-
its clapham through and through

the fried chicken shop

                           sometimes you just gotta      stop

and take it in//////-----

Rainy Days in London

Hmm, the ability to make the most out of a grey and rainy day, it's an art that I think most Londoner's have mastered. I really love London, I think it's one of the most beautiful and imaginative cities in the world... there's always something to do, something to see, something to experience, someone to talk to.... 

And even on the most miserable days you can find ways and places to make you feel light and colourful within. Below I've listed 5 great ways to spend a rainy grey day in London, all of which can be enjoyed both alone or with company. The great thing about London is it's very accommodating, you can be both a socialite and a loner, either or neither. And you can make the city your own in so so so many ways...! Here are a few of my favourite things to do on glum and wet days (aside from walking)

 1) Sketch in the Tate Britain

On a rainy weekday afternoon its an especially wonderful place to be. I love the Tate Britain a lot more than I do the Tate Modern. It's much quieter and houses some truly beautiful, timeless and inspiring pieces of art by some of my favourite artists including William Blake and J.M.W Turner. 

Spend the afternoon taking a tour of British art, get lost in the paintings, in history, in the brush-strokes, the colours- don't just look at the art, experience it, put yourself in the painting. Or take out some pencils and a sketchbook and sketch a picture or two, jot down some ideas, create something new, create something just for yourself, just because you can... http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

2) Catch the Matinee at Riverside Studios

I love Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, it's a really unique and interesting space with lots of do and see. I remember the first time I saw a film in the theatre. It was a grey and rainy day and I went to see Grand Hotel starring Greta Garbo. I think must have been sixteen years old- I distinctly remember being the only person in the whole theatre who wasn't an OAP. I had a really great time alone, and even made a few friends. I went back a couple of years later with a Korean friend, Chanmi, to watch this Italian film called Uno Su Due. It was raining that evening too!

Riverside Studios is a lovely place to spend a grey day/ evening. Watch a play, check out the art, catch a double bill in the cinema. Riverside Studios shows an array of films from cult classics to black and whites, to foreign films from around the world. http://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/

3) Immerse yourself in books at The Saison Poetry Library

Spend a rainy afternoon or evening in the amazing Saison Poetry Library in the Southbank Centre. The library holds an impressive collection of poetry magazines, manuscripts and poetry books on all subjects, written by a number of poets (past and present/ known and unknown) from Benjamin Zephaniah to John Keats.

Absorb yourself in the world of words, lose yourself through reading, let your imagination run wild. I visited the library today with a good friend (after wandering around the tate britain and by the river) and found myself reading poetry anthology books on the subject of London. In particular I really loved Zephaniah's City River Blues.... I could spend forever in the Saison library. http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/

4) Share a conversation over a cuppa at the Candid Cafe

I love the candid cafe. It's such a cosy and pretty haven located in the heart of Angel. The perfect place to catch up on reading, share long conversations with friends and enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake. The cafe is open till late most days...

 http://www.candidarts.com/sections/galleryandcafepages/candid_cafe.htm

5) People watch from the top deck of a Bus

Perhaps my favourite thing to do of all the things on this list. I could spend hours just sitting staring out of a bus window on a rainy day in London just watching people from above; an old lady pushing her trolley, countless passers-by with hoods over their heads walking briskly towards their chosen destinations; work, a meeting, a friends house, the supermarket, the library. 

I love watching the rain, listening to the sound of drops hitting the windowpane, the concrete streets, watching people wrestle with their out of control brollies, while at the same time soaking in a feeling of melancholy and certain inspiration. The 155, 44, 436 and 88 bus journeys in my opinion, offer the best sights (social and otherwise)....

-autumn/ annual decay-

Babylon

-a question-

Portrait of Edison

...hmm this strange painting by jean crotti caught my eye at the tate mod tonight...the creation of light, brought to life by a man, a 'mad' man, with a mad vision, a visionary idea- 'perseverance' the alchemy that renders dreams absolute; set against the darkness of another wet, gloomy and grey london evening, umbrellas and electricity.... kind of a strange premonition....

Alperton to Horsenden Hill

I quite randomly followed the Grand Union Canal up to Horsenden Hill from Alperton a few days ago. Horsenden Hill was rather similar to Chapel Bank with its wild-flowers, butterflies and grazing cattle. The views from the top of the hill were stunning, you could see all the way to the North Downs, Surrey, and the whole of West London! I'd def recommend a trip. Plan on going back soon and walking to Harrow-on-the-Hill... (my last grand union canal adventure: http://sysprints.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/a-trip-to-aylesbury.html)

......cease to stare........

a young man with fiery hair

 an old woman who never ceased to stare 

(at the nothingness before her)

West W(a)/onders

'We had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life' - Kerouac

So I must admit it's been pretty hard adjusting to the work move West. In the last few months I've really missed Tottenham Court Road, I've missed my short commutes, my long walks, I've missed bumming around, listening to the buskers, I've missed people watching and wandering by the river everyday. I've missed hanging out with my mates all the time in the centre of London. 

Though more often than not I've found myself getting off at St Pauls station on the way back south to walk and hang out. And you know what, despite the 1 1/2 hour commutes both ways, I've sort of almost been sticking to my How to Survive the 9-5 list. http://sysprints.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/how-to-survive-9-5_11.html I've been making the most of early mornings and late nights and every day has been an adventure! 

And I have to say lately Hanger Lane, or more accurately West London has started to grow on me! Over the last few months I've hung out in Wembley, Alperton, Shepherds Bush, Ickenham, West Ruislip and Ealing. I've visited local mosques and seen some really beautiful temples (and I thought Neasdon was magnificent looking!)

I've also discovered some beautiful new green spaces too and walks along the grand union canal and the capital ring.

Most importantly though, I've been able to spend some real (and worthwhile) time with an old friend who lives in the area. All in all- it's definitely been an experience, that being said.... I'm really looking forward to moving on and away very soon...

Sy's Poems, Book II

My fifth book, Sy's Poems (Book II) arrived in the post a couple of days ago, I've since been dipping in and out of it. It's a truly amazing thing to be able to read a book you've written- to re-visit, to relearn and to re-experience. It's kind of really indescribable... One day I might make more of my books available to buy...one day....maybe.

-not quite a bee-

Prayer Magic

Falling Star

Infectious Smile

Story of an Artist

...other's just like to watch the world...

Nutfield Marsh/ Holmethorpe Lagoons

I met up with an old mate from the wetlands yesterday. We spent a magical day together catching up, rambling and bird-watching. From Hampton Court we drove to Box Hill and Nutfield Marsh. It was really great to finally visit Mercers, (the last time I went I sort of had to break in and I didn't get to see much : http://sysprints.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-lake.html) Would love to go back again some day and explore the nearby Spynes Mere Nature Reserve. 

Strange going from Boxhill, a place full of people to the even more beautiful (in my opinion) Nutfield Marsh, where there was hardly anyone. The great thing about being involved in conservation, is you find out about all these amazing under-used and under-visited wildlife rich gems! If you ever get the chance, I'd def recommend a trip. http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/files/themoorsleaflet.pdf I'm hoping to put together a manual/ guide to all the amazing nature reserves in and around London that I've visited over the years inc. the chalk grasslands in the south and the disused reservoirs in the North. Watch this space!

Box Hill