London cycling

Found a cycle race going on around St James 's Park.

The start of the inaugural Prudential RideLondon Women's Grand Prix, a 15-lap criterium around a 1.3-mile circuit. The Wiggle team included Joanna Rowsell, Dani King and Laura Trott, the gold-medal winning riders in the Women's Team Pursuit at the 2012 London Olympics.

It had been cut to 45 minutes because of delays in earlier races. There were several breakaways as above, but it came to a sprint finish won by Laura Trott (Wiggle team) with Dani King fourth. Joanna Rowsell fell on the last lap and broke her collarbone.

Squirrel uses picnic table, Victoria Park, East London

A squirrel has a bite to eat on the picnic table in Victoria Park, East London, UK.

A coot waits for the squirrel to finish.

Bollards of Dorking

Inspired by Bollards of London and a lunchtime in Dorking, here are some Bollards of Dorking in Surrey,

Reflector Bollards

Neglected Bollards

Park Bollard

Older Park Bollard

Car Park Bollards

High Street Bollards

New Wine Store Bollards

Geese Grazing in Dorking, Surrey

A autumn day in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, Surrey, with grazing geese. It was colder than it looks.

Canada geese grazing on the grass

Canada geese grazing by the lake

Snow in London, Feb 2012

Some pics of the snow in London in Feb. 2012:

The branches on the trees turned white

No takers for the tables in the park

No football in the park on Sunday afternoon

Frost on The Nower, Dorking, Surrey, in January 2012

Frost on the Nower, Dorking, Surrey, on a winter's morning in January 2012.

It is a contrast to the snow of last winter. See previous entry of 2011 snow on the Nower.

Growing Family of Canada Geese in Dorking

The family of Canada Geese now looking very grown up
in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking.

See family in June: Goslings in Dorking
The lead one above with distinctive white markings on the head is one of the parents in the earlier picture. 

Sunbathing and Barbecues in October, London Fields

Like last October (see this October 2010 entry), we have had sunny, warm weather in early October. Sadly it never lasts as winter soon follows.

7our Bus, Lovebox festival, Victoria Park, London

A tour bus entering the backstage area at the Lovebox festival in Victoria Park, East London. The number plate is 7OUR. It is an Ayats Bravo and part of Coach UK of Liverpool's Starcruiser fleet. For other pictures of this type of coach see the Starcruiser website.

Dog Show in Dorking

A variety of dogs on show at a Dog Show in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, on 4 June 2011. For once it was a sunny, warm day.

Goslings in Dorking

A family of Canadian Geese in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, Surrey.

Burdett-Coutts Fountain in Victoria Park, East London

Grade II* listed drinking fountain in Victoria Park erected by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts in 1862. It is to be restored as part of the work currently taking place in the park.

A Lion in Victoria Park, East London ?

A lion in Victoria Park?

No its not a big cat, its a Pavi Lion.

Fences have been erected during the restoration work on the park in East London. I am not sure if the placement of the sign is deliberate. The pavilion is the building with the glass dome.

The lake has been drained as part of the restoration work.

Signs of Spring - Daffodils in Dorking

Daffodils brighten up the Meadowbank Recreation Ground in Dorking, Surrey. An indication that Spring is upon us.

Hungry ducks in winter, Dorking, Surrey

Ice has formed on the Mill Lake 

in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, Surrey

The ducks compete for food.

But there is little food around

Sunny Sunday afternoon in London Fields - 10.10.10

An unusually warm, sunny Sunday afternoon in October in London Fields, Hackney, London E8. It was the 10th of October 2010, ie. 10.10.10.

Sun-bathing in October.

Not as busy as in the summer but unusual for October.

The cricket pitch and Tower Block.

Peace and quiet in St James's Park

A quiet Tuesday evening in St James's Park in central London.

Regents Canal temporary closure 2

The Regents Canal is dammed by the Gasometers in Cambridge Heath, East London for repairs to the canal walls. The canal and towpath between the gasometers and the Old Ford Lock is closed for 8 weeks from early February. The rainwater seems to be filling up the canal again.

A week earlier, the gasometers were fuller.