Parc des Buttes Chaumont

one of the most beautiful parks I have ever been to

Such a magical place - waterfalls, streams, hills, trees...

There was an Oriental, rustic woodland feel to the enchanting park 

Pan-Man ~ Protecteur de la nature

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg - a beautiful space, with lots of interesting tree growths, statues, water features and joggers...

The Medici Fountain ~

 Stunning.

As part of a current exhibition there are a series of 25 artworks displayed on the outside railings of the gardens. 

I visited on my 2nd day, so my French was still a little rusty and I couldn't quite translate the purpose of the artworks.  Not that I felt they needed a reason to be there.

They all seemed to hold a political meaning, or message of great significance.  

Here are a few which really called out to me.

~ fin ~

London's Latest National Disaster

London hears the word snow - and grinds to a hault.

Every year, it falls from the sky.

Every year, the city freaks out.

Maybe one year, it'll learn.

Still, it makes stepping out of your front door a far prettier experience than the everyday shuffle to slavery.

Squinting and pretending to be in Latvia:

Rwoar

Peaks

and cows

 

October 2012

Parkland Walk [& graffiti]

I recently discovered the Parkland Walk; a beautiful glimpse of country side running through north London.  Following an old railway track, it is in two parts.  The first (south) begins in Finsbury Park and leads you along to Highgate.  You know you've reached the end of the section as you are met with two towering archways, boarded up:

I couldn't resist climbing up the side of them through all the over-growth to see how it looked from up there:

 You have to join back with reality and walk along the main road for a couple of minutes until you get to Highgate Wood.

Having never been there before, I took a long meander around and fell in love with the small but charming reminder of a greener way of life.  It was a sporadic hot day last month that I went; so was happy to discover an in-use drinking fountain there too:

 Straight out the other side of the woods you pick the north section of the walk back up.  This leads you to Alexandra Palace and you can see from the photo below the climb you are making as the old track ascends:

 I loved spotting the old remnants of the train track as I went along.  For the majority of the walk the trees are so tall they meet in the centre above you.  There really was something quite enchancted about it all.  The London traffic was barely audiable for the most part, which really added to the escapist effect.

 Not only is it an attractive wildlife walk, but there is also the reminder of a modern day influence and some amazing graffiti can be seen along the way. 

My favourite spots was first of all this wall, just as the north section ends and you enter Alexandra Palace park. It was obviously brightly sprayed at one point but since painted over this green colour. With weathering the paint has begun to peel back in places and reveal glimpses of the colour beneath:

 In the south section of the walk there are even more treasures.  Something about this tree's roots, enclosing around the remainders of a red brick wall, really grabbed my attention:

In the final stretch back to Finsbury Park are numerous archways demonstrating a world of street art:

 Not to mention this fella - I really want to know what he is doing there!

For more info on the history of this walk see http://www.parkland-walk.org.uk/

It's a great way to spend a day or free afternoon, touch back with nature a bit.  I took some reading and enjoyed the sun in Alexandra Palace park once I got there, before heading back.

in my garden

My little North-London outdoor space.

You wouldn't think it from the photo, but it was chucking it down when I took this.

This has been the perfect partner for my ears this afternoon ~

In My Garden - Swans 1987

[I'd almost forgotten how incredible Swans are]

Sprung

Knitted Bikes

Spotted on my recent visit to Australia.
Along one of the main roads of Adelaide's town centre, this wonderful creations really added a great vibe to the street and drew me in like crazy to get a closer look at all the details that had been put into them.

 This blue beauty was the first I noticed, then the rest followed. 

Looking at it I wondered how long it took.  Well, the ones that I saw afterwards really stole the question when I saw them...

 This flowered beauty was amazing...

 I can't imagine how long it must have taken to knit all those loops for these wheels!

Check out these crafty little guys on the wheels!

Bikes, Knitting, Nature :)

 This chap didn't have so much decoration on his frame, but the fantastic idea of turning the bull bars into a bull is shear genius!  WHAT a mane...

 This rainbow bike was so eye-catching! A whole sky scene on one wheel vehicle:

 Check out the rad disc wheels:

 There was even a little owl nestled on the back wheel

  Then around the corner this little guy was lurking!

 I so want to make one! I wonder if these pieces are subject to 'yarn bombing' or a seperate project conconcted by locals to do something positive and cheerful with the adandoned bikes of the city?  I have so much respect for all the time spent knitting & crocheting all of these.  They're so much fun!