Notting Hill (Part Three) – From Pigsty to Posh
By the 1830s, there already existed a little hamlet in Notting Hill known as the “Potteries and Piggeries”. But it wasn’t quite designer earthenware and gourmet sausage shops as I’d […]
The Lea Valley – Cheshunt to Waltham Abbey
When Gytha Thorkeldóttir (who is she?) offers to William the Conqueror gold equal to the weight of her now dead son, he refuses to turn the body over. So it’s […]
Nottinghill (Part Two) – The Grand Union Canal to Kensal Green Cemetery
What a difference a few minutes makes in London. One moment I’m in scrubs infested by snakes in Saxon times. And the next, I’m on a canal from the industrial […]
Notting Hill (Part One) – Westway, Wormwood Scrubs and the Mitre Bridge
As the Hammersmith Line makes its way overground to Ladbroke Grove, a busy dual carriageway known as [1] Westway dominates the view. Built in the 1960s, it writhes through North […]
A Bus Ride to Borobodur Temple
It’s another sunrise start in Yogyakarta as I ease out of my hotel to find a city waking up. Road sweepers are hard at work as I walk past fires […]
Yogyakarta – Along the Banks Of The Kali Code
Tucked away beneath Yogyakarta’s busy flyovers and bridges, just beyond the high rise hotels of [1] Malioboro Road, is a village that lies along the river Kali Code. Not many […]
Kuala Lumpur – Central Market, Market Square and KL Tower
It’s in 1857 when the first tin mine is established in Kuala Lumpur. 87 Chinese miners arrive at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang river. They set off on […]
The Thames Estuary – Southend-On-Sea
“The pier is Southend, and Southend is the pier”, said John Betjeman. Indeed, the pier at Southend is the longest pleasure pier in the world. And an object of pride. […]
The Wandle – Wandsworth to Colliers Wood
Part One of The #WandleValley Walk is full of surprises. As urban as it is, I still find nature reserves, parks, confluences, herons, horses, weirs and even Vikings. And a fast flowing, clean river tq 2 @wandlevalley #londonsrivers #wandsworth
Hughenden Manor, The Home of Benjamin Disraeli
Primrose Day is the anniversary of the death of Benjamin “Dizzy” Disraeli. It goes by unnoticed these days. But his house and gardens, which sit in the gorgeous Chiltern Valley, […]