Catch up post 1 - blast off

Too little time over Christmas and in January to post, but here are a few recent walks to report on.

20 December
Went for a walk with the new camera to get to know it a little better and to get out the house whilke the weather was still good (anticipating a change).

This time I followed a path I had never noticed before running parallel to the railway on the northern side. It is not all that attractive (or safe at night) but it means you can walk a little faster without dealing with the busy pavements of Dartmouth Road. It also gives a nice insight into the original buildings of Forest Hill and all the new construction that is going on.

Following this along I came to the Foresters Hall. This was built about the same time as my house and it seems like it should have an interesting story to tell. Another one to ask Steve Grindlay about.

This led back up to Dartmouth Road more or less in line with the Forest Hill Baths (now sadly closed until further notice). The day was already getting dark and the fog on the horizon was clearing just enough for me to take an interesting shot of Crystal Palace. It took me about 30 photos to get it right. IT was taken from just outside Provender, a pretty good Health Food and Organic Cafe opposite the pools. Worth a visit.

From here I crossed the road to the Forest Hill Library, and up Thorpewood Avenue, then Derby Hill Crescent past the 1950's looking houses on the hill. At the top is an interesting sight of a nicely designed Art Deco-ish housing development (see one of my later posts for a different view from Taymout Rise). You can walk to the top of the building as the steps are not enclosed, but it was too dark for a decent panoramic shot, so I must return some time.

From here there is a rather hidden footpath that brings you back down to London Road. Again, nice in the day time, but rather long and badly lit for the night. However, it affords a nice view of the different houses and gardens in this area.

The path emerged immediately opposite Sainsbury's, so it was a quick right turn, and a dash to the Dartmouth Arms for a coffee (they also do good coffee here by the way) and then home, past the Christmas decorations trying to get us all in the mood for the impending day.