Category: Local

The Aynscombes of Mortlake

“From 1689 to 1721 Cromwell House was the residence of Edward Colston (1636-1721) of the London Mercers’ Company, a major philanthropic benefactor in Bristol, his home town. In 1792 Lysons described it as an “Ancient house” and it was then associated with the Aynscombe family: Cromwell Lane was renamed Aynscombe Lane.” (London Gardens Trust)

On The Wing

I planted this wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ in March 2016 and now it is living up to its name with abundant, long tresses of white blossom.

The Green, Green Grass

The Byzantine emperor (610 – 641), Heraclius, is mentioned in James Heneage’s The Shortest History of Greece. True to his title Heraclitus is not.

Easter Eggs

The peregrine falcon has laid four eggs this year in the nesting box on a high, north-facing ledge on Charing Cross Hospital.

Heavy Metal

  At lunch at the Polish Club yesterday we agreed on the advantages of urban living as we get on a bit.

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Something Old, Something New

This appears to be the result of an inability to decide what to build. It’s castellated, has a steeply pitched roof more often seen aloft a continental château, looks as if it is covered in icing sugar and exhales a neo-gothic aroma. A riddle wrapped in a mystery – one I can solve.

Taking the Piss

Number 56 is supplied by Thames Water – indeed it probably really is Thames river water that has been filtered.

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Come into the Garden

“Come into the garden, Maud,       For the black bat, night, has flown, Come into the garden, Maud,       I am here at the gate alone; And the woodbine spices are wafted abroad,       And the musk of the rose is blown.” (From Maud, Part I, Alfred Lord Tennyson)

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Categorised as Local, Nature