
- britishfareasttraderspartners_admin
- March 23, 2020
- 8:04 pm
- BRITISH, CULTURE, ENGLAND, HERITAGE, HISTORY, HOBBIES / PASTIMES, INSPIRE ME, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, NATURE, OUTDOORS, SLOW LIVING, TRAVEL, UNITED KINGDOM, WALKS, WELLBEING, WELLNESS
- ENGLAND / ENGLISH, FLORAL / FLOWERS, Hyde Park, LONDON, SPRING / SUMMER, TRAVEL, UNITED KINGDOM, unwind, WALKS, WELLBEING, ZEN
Table of Contents
HYDE PARK
Been tailing this duck because it dips its head underwater
leaving the bum sticking out, very funny.
Unfortunately, haven’t captured it on camera.
It has done that about 3 times but the camera
nor the operator is fast enough lol.
Would have been nice.
The water in Serpentine Lake is noticeably clearer
during the community wide quarantine.
No tourists boating on the lake so the waters have time to be still
apart from just the waterfowl stirring it a bit.
Beautiful Magnolias in bloom! Sweet…

HYDE PARK is full of Squirrels by the way, and they love nuts given by visitors.
Whether that is encouraged or not, is another question 🙂
ROSE GARDEN HYDE PARK

This is your view standing as an average human being.
It is beautiful, but if you stoop down or kneel to take the stance of the flowers,
you shall soon realise that the world looks like a better place.
Perhaps, alot of things is just a matter of perspective.
We are seeing things in just our everyday perspective.
If we explore more ways to see the world differently,
or to live just a bit more differently compared to our boring routines,
maybe we might be as bright and colourful as the flowers.
And perhaps we can start being an inspiration to some.
Alot of people we’ve come across are just as hard as stone,
as craggy as a rock, as sour as a vinegar, and so ugly in their manners.
We know it is a tough world.
Learn to live with the seasons of life,
you shall soon be in full bloom,
just like these flowers are now.
Bless your heart.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
From Hyde Park Corner,
you can cross the road or take the pedestrian subway to reach the Arch of Wellington.
Only problem with the subway is its a bit dirty, it looks like its not well-looked after. Sad.
The trees take longer to show signs of Spring Awakening.
The flowers are already in bloom but some of these trees
won’t show their full glory until Christmastime.
Some of them have fruits that look like Christmas baubles.
Don’t judge anyone or anything, they all have their own seasons.
Massive respect for the design and wisdom of nature…
This avenue of trees is in Green Park, just about hugging Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace stands regal whether it has an audience or not.
The front is usually packed with tourists taking photos and selfies.
Today – referring to the timestamp on the photo,
it looks deserted due to the Social Distancing imposed
as a safety measure against the COVID19 threat.
This beautiful black & golden gate leads to Green Park.
As to what it symbolises I haven’t researched on that.
You can enter Green Park at lots of access points, not through the gate lol.
It’s maybe there only for aesthetics.
A close-up view of the gate lock.
A very Royal entrance indeed.
Reminds me of the book from childhood –
The Lady and the bird, something like that.
That kind of key was embedded in my mind,
the simple design with a long slender barrel.
Treasures of Antiquity,
perhaps England appeals to a lot of people because it is living history.
The thing about English parks is that no matter how basic or simple it is,
everything is well-curated and well-thought.
Quality over quantity speaks for itself in a lot of ways.
It reminds me of the beautiful quote from Bishop TD Jakes-
‘ Quality Takes Time and You Are God’s Masterpiece’.



ST. JAMES’ PARK
because the walk there is short and sweet.
Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
If you don’t explore beyond the main attractions,
you could easily miss this romantic piece of Big City oasis.





This is indeed a fairytale scene.
Add to that the willow tree brushing the surface of the lake,
or pond, then you can just recreate
The Little Mermaid scene where Ariel and Prince Eric were boating.
I still believe The Little Mermaid had its inspirations from London Parks & Gardens.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS
This photo says it all.
The Beauty of Life is perhaps in its impermanence and fragility.
Life, like the cherry blossoms, is such a fleeting thing.
Its beauty is captured with each passing season.
One season you are in full bloom,
but never to forget that with each blue sky and fine weather day,
it will soon be juxtaposed with the harshest winter season once again.
To be forever down is madness.
To be forever conditionally happy as long as the weather is fine
is also a recipe for disaster.
Life is Yin & Yang. Be Zen.
Be joyful and grateful for whatever the seasons bring you.
For if you have done your utmost best for each passing season,
you shall live life without any regrets.
What a delicate beauty.
A WALK IN THE PARK
Would you agree that even the birds love the sun?
The small withe flowers look like they are rejoicing about the glorious weather too.
Sorry for being so obsessed with the beautiful weather,
it’s a very British obsession as you would have known by now lol.
This is the view from the footbridge that spans the middle of the lake.
You can see London Eye rising in the background.
London Eye is just a short walk from St. James’Park.
ST. JAMES’ PARK LAKE, DUCK ISLAND &
DUCK ISLAND COTTAGE
Transcription:
WELCOME TO ST. JAMES’S PARK LAKE
THE AMBASSADORS PELICANS
Pelicans were first introduced to St. James’s Park
in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador.
This was the start of a long royal tradition
for collecting exotic and unusual wildfowl.
Today over 30 species of waterfowl still breed
on the lake including mallard, goldeneye, tufted duck, shelduck, and wigeon.
A ROYAL MENAGERIE
What’s the link between a crocodile,
five camels, a ‘red wine loving’ elephant and a pelican?
They have all inhabited St. James’s Park.
Don’t worry, the real crocodile and elephant were only here
in the 17th century when they were a gift from the King of Spain to James II.
DUCK KEEPER’S COTTAGE c. 1900
Writing in 1664 the famous diarist John Evelyn
records a strange sight (amongst many) in St. James’s Park.
He saw a Balearian crane with a wooden leg
with a joint made for the bird by a soldier.
He noticed that the crane could ‘walk and use it
as well as if it had been natural’.
He also speaks with interest of a clean goose,
a stork, a milk-white raven and many other beasts and birds.
A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE AND LIGHTS
In 1749, George II staged a huge firework and musical celebration here.
Handel composed the music, which was performed with 40 trumpets,
20 French horns and 100 cannon!
During the event, fireworks went off prematurely sending the guests running for cover.
Now over 5.5 million annual visitors go to St. James’s Park
can appreciate a safer, quieter, but nonetheless spectacular show
in the form of The Tiffany Fountain.
The fountain can reach eight metres high,
thanks to the pump which recycles a bath-full of water every 24 seconds!
HELP FROM ACROSS THE POND!
The Tiffany Fountain (opened in 2011)
was made possible thanks to a generous donation
from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation in New York.
It is part of a wider programme,
Tiffany- Across the Water,
which focuses on restoring and reviving water features
across London’s eight royal parks.
THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
Adjustable LED light is the base of The Tiffany Fountain
create a magical night time display fit for a Queen
quite literally as the fountain aligns perfectly
with the balcony of the Buckingham Palace.
THE TIFFANY & CO FOUNDATION
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org
THE ROYAL PARKS FOUNDATION
Registered Charity no. 1097545
Duck Island is a welcome breeding ground
and resting ground for the fowl population of St. James Park.
Here they can go undisturbed by the many eager visitors of St. James Park.
WATERFOWL OF ST. JAMES’ PARK
What a magical colour.
The pigeons have this sort of colour too.
Perhaps you have to be magical to be selected for a fairytale place like this lol.
WHITE HALLS SURROUNDING ST. JAMES PARK
Most of the buildings surrounding St. James Park are National Government Offices.
If you pass through one of these walkways,
you will emerge through to Whitehall.
The most popular office there is no other than the occupier of 10 Downing Street.
SQUIRREL TALES
Squirrels in St. James Park are very friendly.
They are so used to visitors (saying human beings might not be entirely accurate lol).
A man was giving this little cutie some peanuts and then
he captures a photo of it up-close.
He saw we were interested in taking a snap of this little fella
and so he gave us some peanuts too–
for the squirrel to munch on lol.
Thanks for your generosity Mr. visitor.
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