Autumn

Lots of fallen leaves in London. If you went to the forest, it would be very difficult to find any mushrooms underneath them...

Towpath angel

One day I was cycling along the canal towpath. When I was nowhere near any familiar place the chain fell off. Many people went or cycled past me when I was trying to put it back in place. I couldn't do it myself. Then I asked a youngish black man carrying some shopping if he knew of a bike repair place nearby. He didn't, but he stopped, put down his shopping bag and had a serious go at helping me with the chain. No luck either. However, when I asked him again about any repair shop nearby, he remembered there was a car garage on the other side of the canal further on. We walked together, his hands even more dirty from the grease than mine. I told him how grateful I was and he said that back in his country things are different. People treat strangers as friends: greet them, talk to them, help if needed. That's a norm. He is so happy when he goes back home, to Zambia. That's how I felt meeting him. And the same experience at the garage: two young men dropped what they were doing, turned the bike upside down and got the chain in order. No problem! There are good people around!  May we all meet them on our paths and we won't need to wait for heaven to be happy! :-)

Here are some snapshot from my towpath cycling:

Due to the misfortune with the bike earlier I had to be cycling back in the dark. That was a challenge as the rear light stopped working.  I had no choice though. Luckily, good fortune was on my side!

Kensal Green and around

In the run-up to November 1st which is All Saints Day, there are often cemeteries featured in my posts. I do not even plan it that way, it just happens. After all, mine is a whimsical life.;-)

Last Monday meant getting to Kensal Rise for me. Once the job was done I awarded myself with a bit of sighseeing.

Kensal Green is one of The Magificent Seven, the 19th century cemeteries built by the Victorians when the older London cemeteries had become too crowded and various diseases had been turning into epidemics. The cemeteries were designed on a big scale and so visiting them you need to allocate some time and make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes. Mind you, cycling is not an option, unless you manage to get away with it. Although, if you need to cycle for medical reasons, you are justified, I suppose...;-)

I approached the cemetery  having cycled along the canal tow path. I passed over a bridge, went past the closed  gate near The Dissenters Chapel and then took a left into the Harrow Road. There was a church opposite. I stopped to take a picture, but really, the church looked much better than the picture shows.

 A short distance along Harrow Road and I found myself in front of the main gate:

 These looked like very old graves:

In the distance you can see the colonnade above the sealed catacombs right in front of a large building.

Anglican Chapel is in the middle of  the cemetery, surrounded by more colonnades and catacombs.

I managed to get to the gate the moment it was being locked for the night....

Back on Harrow Road I headed west to cross the canal at the other end of the cemetery. Instead, I crossed not only the canal, but a whole jungle of railroad tracks beneath me and found myself in an unknown territory. I kept peddling and finally arrived at White City, cycled past The BBC Centre and Westfield to arrive in Shepherds Bush and negotiate my way in the heavy afternoon traffic heading home.

On leaving the cemetery, I was attracted to this gallery window. Wouldn't you be?

 Although it said on the door that it was open, the truth was contrary...

 This is where I turned left towards the canal which I managed to miss... Just as well... I like taking different routes. Do you?

 Who are they? Independent Order of Mechanics, Preston Unity:

 Here live cats and dogs:

 This is the last picture before the phone battery said enough: