Hyde Park
Hyde Park can be beautiful in winter. Took a walk across the park, ostensibly as part of research for the idea of doing a series of short pieces called London Landmarks (anyone interested?) which would feature a picture of a statue, monument or architectural curiosity with a photo and some background information. Might do for one of the London papers, of which there are loads at the moment, being given away and mounting up in the bins and streets.
I have lost - or am losing - a joke about the cats and dogs cemetery by Lancaster Gate. It is boarded up now and probably out of use, although people still have pets in Bayswater I s'pose. I used to refer to Fifi the Poodle butried there, who was "more faithfult han all three of my husbands" according to her owner. Crumby joke but it always gets a laugh on a sleepy morning and guides are notoriously reluctant to give up old favourites, so I still manage to drag it in even through you cannot see the quaint little headstones any more.
From the cemetery I followed the Serpentine lake down to Peter Pan, said to be London's most popular statue, although the only person there yesterday was a down and out feeding the bird, one of those people who seem to live largely in the park, although I am sure they don't sleep there overnight - too cold at this time of year and no shelter. J M Barrie wrote the story at 100 Bayswater Road nearby, probably for the children of his neighbour - the two portrayed in a mawkish recent film (Finding Neverland) by Johny Depp and Kate Winslet.
Then in search of Diana, Princess of Wales, whose name appears on underfoot plaques through the park and who is commemorated nor once but twice there. There is a playground with the old tree with elves, fairies and other fantabulous creatures nearby - Billly Conolly featured it in one of his travel programmes and I am ashamed to say that this was the first I had heard of it and today was the first time I had actually been to see it in the flesh (or wood). As guides you miss a lot when you only look at things from a coach.
The main thing I was after was the fountain, which I was prepared to dislike but which I found charming. I had seen it after it opened and heard how it was getting overcrowded, dirty, etc with people even leaving dirty nappies there. Health and Safety enforcers had put various signs up around the basically oval shape of the fountain but the only thing anyone had left was a bunch of expensive roses. A friendly enough custodian was making sure no-one acted "inappropriately" (hate that word) and the place was peaceful and happy place, a fitting tribute to someone who had never really had a peaceful happy home.
What a contrast to the massive Albert Memorial, that busy and inclusive memorial nearby which has Albert, another uncomfortable royal spouse, surrounding by just about everybody who was anybody in world history as well as the four continents represented by a group around a bull for Europe, a buffalo for the Americas, a camel for Africa and an elephant for Asia. There was no room, however, for a kangaroo. I always tease the Australians about this - no wonder they were so determined to win back the Ashes...
I have lost - or am losing - a joke about the cats and dogs cemetery by Lancaster Gate. It is boarded up now and probably out of use, although people still have pets in Bayswater I s'pose. I used to refer to Fifi the Poodle butried there, who was "more faithfult han all three of my husbands" according to her owner. Crumby joke but it always gets a laugh on a sleepy morning and guides are notoriously reluctant to give up old favourites, so I still manage to drag it in even through you cannot see the quaint little headstones any more.
From the cemetery I followed the Serpentine lake down to Peter Pan, said to be London's most popular statue, although the only person there yesterday was a down and out feeding the bird, one of those people who seem to live largely in the park, although I am sure they don't sleep there overnight - too cold at this time of year and no shelter. J M Barrie wrote the story at 100 Bayswater Road nearby, probably for the children of his neighbour - the two portrayed in a mawkish recent film (Finding Neverland) by Johny Depp and Kate Winslet.
Then in search of Diana, Princess of Wales, whose name appears on underfoot plaques through the park and who is commemorated nor once but twice there. There is a playground with the old tree with elves, fairies and other fantabulous creatures nearby - Billly Conolly featured it in one of his travel programmes and I am ashamed to say that this was the first I had heard of it and today was the first time I had actually been to see it in the flesh (or wood). As guides you miss a lot when you only look at things from a coach.
The main thing I was after was the fountain, which I was prepared to dislike but which I found charming. I had seen it after it opened and heard how it was getting overcrowded, dirty, etc with people even leaving dirty nappies there. Health and Safety enforcers had put various signs up around the basically oval shape of the fountain but the only thing anyone had left was a bunch of expensive roses. A friendly enough custodian was making sure no-one acted "inappropriately" (hate that word) and the place was peaceful and happy place, a fitting tribute to someone who had never really had a peaceful happy home.
What a contrast to the massive Albert Memorial, that busy and inclusive memorial nearby which has Albert, another uncomfortable royal spouse, surrounding by just about everybody who was anybody in world history as well as the four continents represented by a group around a bull for Europe, a buffalo for the Americas, a camel for Africa and an elephant for Asia. There was no room, however, for a kangaroo. I always tease the Australians about this - no wonder they were so determined to win back the Ashes...
posted by tourguideddie at 11:58 AM
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