Not Always a Walk in the Park

It's not always been a walk in the park, in-fact during my six years in London there has been many trials and tribulations. I've managed to overcome the sense of being lost in such a popular city, I've also had to tackle many times the sense of being lost in a regularly crossed environment and again I've found myself lost in the park, so these are some of the reasons why I have wrote this creative discussion of Parks in London. I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I did walking; in all of these following parks, but also at this point I feel it important to add I am not the type who spends much of the time in parks because I'm very busy, however what experience I have I will share with you now in relation to the fact that most of my friends and followers are based in the U.S.A. With the expectation that some day you will, I'm sure, hope to visit this popular city in the U.K.

First park if like me your going to stumble upon is Green Park, why, well because Green Park is the nearest park to Buckingham Palace, it's just down from Fortnum and Masons and is to the right of the famous Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, so the chances are like I did, this will be the first park you'll notice. It's arguably better than Hyde Park since the new cafe, that's if you include Regents Park as part of Green Park, which I do because they both link with each other, even though you might have to cross the road. See I'm lost already. OK firstly Regents Park is the one right next to the arch after Trafalgar Square (not to be confused with Marble Arch and I'll explain why later) and closest to the gates of Whitehall of which Gordon Brown lays lodge at 10 downing Street. What's great about Regent Park is the little house inside the outskirts of the Park, just of the main road opposite the stadium where many shows are hosted by royalty and other fund raising parties. You can't miss it,, it's where the great big ducks and swans live, ask anyone they'll point you in the right direction and you'll be able to do two birds with one stone then. Additionally the flowers are great here as indeed the other surrounding foliage. Anyway back to Green Park, Green Park is where the Princess Diana memorial used to be, however notably it has been changed and moved partly because somebody slipped on the smooth surface, which at the time of release was recommend as suitable for walking on. Highlighting this problem I would suggest if you do assume that you may whilst on vacation consider the notion that you may well end up in a London Park then I would suggest a pair of good boots. This time of year during the chill a lot of people seem to be wearing those fluffy Ugg Boots, but because of the damp and the snow many of these people have reverted back to the good old wellington boot, although the new boots seem to be luminous purple and flowery patterned (and that's not just the girls) personally though I just wear a pair of tracker shoes or fancy spongy well gripped trainers.

Just before I move onto the next popular park in London I'd like to share with my experience of renting out deck chairs in this already mentioned area. Deck chairs are displayed neatly as they do on any beach but remember to be prepared when the man comes around with the ticket machine and the green apron to have some English change in your pocket to pay for this privilege, it will stop you from getting green grass stains on your favorite frock or wet muddy patches on the knees of your favorite jeans, you see the park can also be quite a messy environment. This goes as far as on a hot day you have to be mindful of melting ice-cream-whippy's melting on your favorite shirt or ketchup and mustard on your dry cleaned lapel. Other tips about deckchairs is that when you move your chair, especially in Green Park be mindful of not going to far down towards Buckingham Palace because the Deck Chair boys don't like having to chase their chairs and if you do bring it further away remember you may on request have to bring it back to the area for whence you first found it. So with that in mind, and bearing in mind i may be seeming a bit bossy will move onto the next park, shall we?

Hyde Park is huge the tree's are massive however like most forestation's some of the tree's are now just stumps, in-fact the closer you get to Speakers Corner (A favorite haunt for spokesmen alike on Sunday's) the area in which freedom of speech has been designated then you will see this stump effect happening. If your a fan of roller blading then Hyde Park is for you, as indeed boating, various ball games and a mixture of popular musical contests. Incidentally Speakers corner is right by Marble Arch which if you so desire is a key landmark for getting of the nature trail and moving into the heavy duty shopping trail that London thrives in. But we don't want to do that were on a mission right so, here's the key, if you hang left of the river at the base of the river down from the Speakers corner, by following the path via Regents parks and crossing the road instead of entering the gates through the south of Hyde Parks entrance nearest to the Hyde Park Tube station from the Piccadilly Line ( The Blue color on the topography graph) then your on you way to a whole load more park space, and on your way to the new Princess Diana Memorial. By following this path you will also be notably following in the footsteps of the Flora marathon goers, except naturally you will be in the parameters of the park not the main road. Anyway if you follow this path and don't spend too much time at the Princess Diana fountain then you'll be on your way to West London. As a reward through the underpass way you will be rewarded with a water fountain with cupid shooting his arrow, I think it is actually called the Peter Pan fountain, well it is a greenish color. Beyond this you'll have to cross a road then you will be in another Park, this park is huge and is on the outskirts of Gospel Oak, I think it is called Kensington Park and is full of many cross roads but don't quote me on this. If you are afraid of walking to far and really want to soak up Kensington Park and your a little bit lazy like myself I suggest you do a drive by on the 19 bus headed for Chelsea. On route you will drive through the roundabout at the corner of Hyde Park which has Huge Black onyx colored men on horses with helmets on their head. But beyond this on the way to Harrods you will later see the entrance of Kensington Park. It has to be said if you like gold statues then Kensington Park definitely takes the biscuit. It's huge it's gold and it is an awesome spectacle. Incidentally opposite this or roundabouts is the National Orchestra, so if you like classical music or live at the proms then this is a must location for you to cross.

Well if you stay on this path maybe jump of the bus and jump on the one set for Notting Hill then your all set to make your way towards Holland Park, however if your still on foot and have followed my original nature trek then you can try and follow the signs posted at each crossroads and you could still make you way to Holland Park. Granted it will take you a few hours however it's sporting chance you will free from the hussle and bussle of the traffic when you arrive and will have a matching snapshot photo profile of similar natural themes. But after six years even I find this nature trail difficult. But if you get there whether you go via the entrance of Lancaster Gate or get the bus to Notting Hill or stroll through the parameters of Hyde Park you'll still be able to make it to Holland Park for Tea. However Holland Park is great midday is a good sun trap and has a lovely place that you can roam around on foot which more importantly is full of lovely water fountains and other features. Which that in mind I hope you have a lovely trip, whatever you choose to do when you come to London. Most people are very receptive to holiday makers and asking for directions is perfectly fine and if in doubt remember a small hand held map with a little notebook to take any notes of directions given. You can buy these on Piccadilly at one of the many outside stalls which sell various London memorabilia, like fringe magnets of English police, the Beefeater's of tower Bridge or the old hop on hop red double decker buses like the one you watched on Cliff Richards film Summer Holiday.