Spring is still hiding. But, as Philosopher just said, it is still only February… Last week I had a nice time in London meeting my old friends the Sues, from Birmingham. Have had a couple of tolerably warm days, as shown by the photos here. This morning it started off sunny and we did one of my favourite little walks in St Leonard’s – and the weather clouded up with a freeeeezing wind. This is a quick post because shortly we are off on our travels again – to Portugal this time.
After our London lunch, we discovered that one fo the Sues had never had her photo taken at Horseguards – so we had to go and do it! We ate in the restaurant at the Clermont at Charing Cross, where Battleaxe went with the family at Christmas. It was just fine again – nice and quiet to talk. Lunch food is very reasonably priced but alcohol is a bit expensive. But Battleaxe would recommend.
After lunch we went for a walk in St James’s Park – it was, for once, warm enough. They have a nice caff in there now – all a bit different from when I last went – in about 1971, when I used to eat my lunch in there. I worked at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Parliament Square, my first real job. Anyway, here’s a green parakeet in the park. There were loads of them. Will soon be down to Hastings, I guess. What will RSPCA wildlife rescue make of them? Already we are not allowed to save grey squirrels or rats. They are classified as pests. What about parakeets?
This morning, as I said above, we went on one of my favourite walks, a short St Leonard’s circular tour. It is short, but very varied. I’ve described it before, but will quickly do so again. Park, or start, in the Marina Car Park on the sea front, and head off along the front towards Marine Court. This morning we saw an intrepid group of women embarking on a mass sea swim. Well, I say intrepid, and it would be indeed bad enough getting your clothes off in this weather, but we watched for about five minutes and none of the women got more than ankle deep. Can’t blame them, mind. Wild horses could not drag Battleaxe into the wild winter sea…
Stopped at the Bonjour Cafe (excellent) on the corner of London Road, for coffee. Walked up London Road, and turned left into Norman Road. Many shops to browse on the way up the hill. At the top, turned up right into Mercatoria past the little Hastings Mosque and left along Stanhope Place. By this time we are admiring the Burton St Leonard’s architecture. Lovely houses in The Lawns, and more on turning right up Maze Hill. At Christmas, Philosopher and I discovered that one of the truly splendid, very grand Burton double villas in the Uplands belongs to Jenny Miller, of Barefoot Opera fame. We went there for a do in the massive music room. What a fabulous house.
At the top of the hill, left into St Leonard’s Gardens and meander down. We had hoped to see more spring flowers. Plenty of crocuses, a few daffs, and a few primroses.
The view down the gardens towards the sea is one of our very favourites – here is Philosopher admiring it.
Then, down past the pond and the faithfully flowering camellias – they are always out and about, whatever the weather.
Through the arch at the bottom, round the edge of the Royal Victoria Hotel, and back to the car park again.
Just one more note about St Leonard’s before I leave there. Earlier in the week I went for lunch with friends Jill and Roz at Laya, on Grand Parade. It used to be Smiths. It now does Sri Lankan food. It is very cheap and absolutely delicious. I had a South Indian Thali, a jaggery/coconut milk hopper (a sort of crispy pancake), and a mango lassi. Yum beyond yum. Battleaxe would totally recommend.
So, enough of this…
