A Walk on London's Wild Side

Richmond Park with Central London Not Far Away

Saturday was a brilliant London day.  So, we decided to take full advantage of this Summer rarity by going on one of our long walks.  We hopped a train at Waterloo Station and in half an hour we were in Hampton Wick to start our trek.  The plan was to check out a few antique shops in Hampton Wick and Kingston and then head off to explore, Richmond Park.

The train ride went smoothly, no delays, but the antiquing?  Well, it started out a bit slow.  The first stop planned was the Hampton Wick Antique Centre.  I'd found it online and had checked their hours on their website.  I hate turning up and finding shops closed.  Their site assured me that they were open on Saturday and that they were conveniently located just across the street from the station.  Unfortunately, you just can't believe everything you read on the net these days, because not only were they closed, they were out of business.  The place was empty, but their website was still operating.

Anyway, we marched off down the street to the next shop on the list with me bitching about how unprofessional some antique shop owners can be.  The next shop was on the way to the bridge that would take us over the Thames to Kingston.  I was really glad it was on the way, because that shop was closed too.  Interesting things in the windows but locked up tight.  Things were not going well and I was feeling a real rant coming on.

I Can Be Trained

Nice shade of blue, isn't it?

Movement!  I'm sure I saw something.  It was just out of the corner of my eye.  It moved.

I had been talking to a friend in our kitchen.  He was seated at the breakfast bar which is at a floor to ceiling window and I had just seen something move on the deck outside.

It was huge, furry, grey and had a long hairless tail.

Ok, maybe 'huge' is the wrong word.  It was a mouse, but I HATE mice!  I hate rats too, but fortunately, I've only ever met one rat and it had a cage.  Mice on the other hand, I've met many times and it has never been a happy occasion.

Unlike Daughter No.1, who once found a damaged but still alive mouse in a cup in the gutter on her way home from school and who brought it home and nursed it back to a pet, I don't think mice are cute.  And, before you ask, no, I don't know, where we went wrong with Daughter No.1.

Seven Ugly Ducklings and Their Mute Swan Parents

While taking my Mother on a stroll around Hyde Park this morning we came across this rather large family of Mute Swans.  Here's Mom, Dad and seven very cute little 'ugly ducklings' on The Serpentine near the Lido.

Mute Swan Family in Hyde Park

London Wildlife: Bahama Pintail Ducks

These cute little creatures are Bahama Pintail ducks also know as White-Cheek Pintails for obvious reasons.  They are some of the lesser known feathered inhabitants of London's oldest Royal Park, St James's Park.  Those pesky Pelicans get all the attention.  So, I thought I'd give the little guys a plug.  These two were hanging out on the lake edge near the Inn The Park Cafe this morning.  

Bahama Pintails in St James's Park, London

Duck! It's a Pigeon

Lone Pigeon on Collision Course with Camera

Walking around London it has become quite clear that pigeons here either failed flying school, are too fat from overfeeding or are always set on attack mode.

I have never in my life been involved in so many near misses with flying pigeons.  They always just miss, which suggests they're not attacking, but they're close enough for the thump of air from their flapping wings to whack me on the head as they pull up to avoid a collision.

I've tried to stand my ground as they fly for me, but they always win.  The monkey always ducks.

I wondered if it was just me.  So, I watched how others interact.  And, yesterday I was very happy to note others having the same problem.  One young couple actually took a swing that the flying vermin as they barreled down on them.  I have to admit, I'd thought of that, but how would it look if I successfully landed a punch - the feathers, the crash, the stares as the little bugger flapped around on the round, the fact that I actually touched one!

No, I'll just have to keep trying to avoid the little buggers.  You don't think I'm being bullied, do you?