My nearest park, a five minute stroll from my front door is West Norwood Park. It’s not as pretty as Dulwich park, nor as varied as Brockwell Park, nor as steeped in history as Crystal Palace Park, and it lacks the surprise and wildness of the Dulwich and Sydenham Hill woods. But…
this week’s snow
Dog enjoys it, it’s never very crowded and it’s close.
And it has the best view of the city and its shiny towers and promise of golden pavements… sort of.
I’ve been taking a photo from the same spot, with my back to the forest nursery for the past few months, watching the seasons and the weather change
My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline.
I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy.
I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
We used to get snow thoughout winter. But some winters are very mild like the one last year. This winter we got huge amounts in only short periods. We had snow like decades ago. So, I am crossing my fingers silently that you may get some beautiful crystals.
We’re lucky in that we can get out to shop and for our walks. Even without the dog, it’s imperative we exercise for health reasons. We’re in tier 4, although our area has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. Day to day though, it’s not much different to pre Covid for us, just a bit frustrating not having so many field trips or being able to browse in shops for things we can’t afford. Window shopping doesn’t do it for us now!!! You and yours OK?
Very restricted, having been in one of the high variant affected London boroughs. The vast majority of people are sensible and thoughtful, tolerating with good Grace the limits, the shopkeepers limiting numbers and then mask/distance requirements. The local surgeries seem to be getting lots of plaudits for the speed and security of their vaccinations. Linda is a member of 5he local quilt group whose members are largely 70 plus and they seem to have had their first doses or are scheduled. Weāre just pretty bored. To have something different we gave blood the other date. Quite the hot date! Weāve also repainted the bathroom and spent hours in the garden. Still, if it helps get through this s*****g virus, so be it.
We’re bored too, and Hubby is mad with himself for not getting his shed a couple of years ago. No chance now, and no way are we forking our Ā£500 up front for a delivery of 26 weeks, or worse, no date at all!
There are only so many cards I can make and so far I haven’t had a mammoth session, using those in the box for birthdays coming up. I did find a sheet fo Christmas stamps at the bottom, so that’ll save me a few bob inn December!
No idea yet when we’ll get our jabs. They’re doing the over 70s here at the moment and we’re in the next group down. Keep safe.
Linda has been making hotwater bottle covers from old pullovers and knitting them for a local food bank who have been given some. I’m getting suspicious of all these hot washes involving my woolies!! And i sympathise about Hubby’s shed!!
The autumn photo with leaves in the foreground is my fav. I love taking photos from the same spot through different seasons. Something simple, natural, and yet magical about it.
TanGental 
The seasonal favourite is the penultimate one, but my favourite of all is the photographer and Dog in his red coat. A very interesting exercise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder that you don’t weave some of yours together to compare the Forest in its seasons
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have more than enough blogging work to be going along with š
LikeLiked by 1 person
But everyone needs a challenge!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely that you had snow, Geoff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you get tonnes? Is it regular? We’ve definitely lost the art of decent snow. Mind you whisper it quietly, snow is due on sunday
..
LikeLiked by 1 person
We used to get snow thoughout winter. But some winters are very mild like the one last year. This winter we got huge amounts in only short periods. We had snow like decades ago. So, I am crossing my fingers silently that you may get some beautiful crystals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes please!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos Geoff. Love them all, and what a great idea of taking them from the same spot to reflect the seasonal changes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know what started me, but i fear an addiction brewing. How’s lockdown your end Di?
LikeLike
We’re lucky in that we can get out to shop and for our walks. Even without the dog, it’s imperative we exercise for health reasons. We’re in tier 4, although our area has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. Day to day though, it’s not much different to pre Covid for us, just a bit frustrating not having so many field trips or being able to browse in shops for things we can’t afford. Window shopping doesn’t do it for us now!!! You and yours OK?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very restricted, having been in one of the high variant affected London boroughs. The vast majority of people are sensible and thoughtful, tolerating with good Grace the limits, the shopkeepers limiting numbers and then mask/distance requirements. The local surgeries seem to be getting lots of plaudits for the speed and security of their vaccinations. Linda is a member of 5he local quilt group whose members are largely 70 plus and they seem to have had their first doses or are scheduled. Weāre just pretty bored. To have something different we gave blood the other date. Quite the hot date! Weāve also repainted the bathroom and spent hours in the garden. Still, if it helps get through this s*****g virus, so be it.
LikeLike
We’re bored too, and Hubby is mad with himself for not getting his shed a couple of years ago. No chance now, and no way are we forking our Ā£500 up front for a delivery of 26 weeks, or worse, no date at all!
There are only so many cards I can make and so far I haven’t had a mammoth session, using those in the box for birthdays coming up. I did find a sheet fo Christmas stamps at the bottom, so that’ll save me a few bob inn December!
No idea yet when we’ll get our jabs. They’re doing the over 70s here at the moment and we’re in the next group down. Keep safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Linda has been making hotwater bottle covers from old pullovers and knitting them for a local food bank who have been given some. I’m getting suspicious of all these hot washes involving my woolies!! And i sympathise about Hubby’s shed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our last old woolly was used a temporary bed for Maggie when she was a pup. She was content to snuggle into the smells of her new daddy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, sooo cute..
LikeLiked by 1 person
She felt safe, and that was what mattered.
LikeLike
I like the shot of dog in his red blazer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is smart, isn’t he? Moments later he managed to poop in it… que sera, sera!!
LikeLike
Interesting that when it the snow came so did the people. Must’ve been the novelty of it all. Fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep novelty is true. Plus anything that helps distinguish one day from the next !!!
LikeLike
The autumn photo with leaves in the foreground is my fav. I love taking photos from the same spot through different seasons. Something simple, natural, and yet magical about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such an enjoyable treat… more snow Sunday so maybe some more peachy shots!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The snow one, always the snow one. š
LikeLike
Indeed i agree. Makes a welcome change from drizzle
LikeLiked by 1 person