The Elizabeth Oak

In Greenwich Park, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Greenwich Meridian Line, there stood for hundreds of years an oak tree, known latterly as The Elizabeth Oak. It is said that, when in residence at Greenwich Palace (now long disappeared) Henry VIII's daughter Princess Elizabeth played around the oak, and even picnicked inside its hollow trunk. For even then it was half dead.

Even though I went to the park as a child every sunny summer Sunday, we never visited the tree. Not until 1990 did I follow the new signposts and find it. Its dead carcass was held up by a huge metal stanchion. But I was amazed and flummoxed to see that it wasn't anchored to the ground - the bolts to secure it and make it effective just weren't there!

A couple of months later, there was a storm almost as strong as the 1987 hurricane. Obviously the so-called support, under these circumstances, was more of a liability than a help, because this is how the dead ancient oak now looks.

The War At Home

Poor Bobby was so depressed in this episode. I really wanted to hug him and comfort him. Boohoo!

Vincent Alert!

UK Vixens, I have just noticed that The Thirteenth Floor is on the Sci-Fi Channel on Wednesday at 10.40pm.


Thanks to Eliza for the pictures.

The fight goes on

Today I phoned Network Rail, and received the good news that there is a 6 month waiting list for people to have their tree-lopping plans examined by those who have to approve them before they start. Time for us to get a plan into action.

Of course, the Mayor's office can only reply with negative comments about what CANNOT be done. Not an option. Something HAS to be done. So get off your arses and DO it.

In A Muddle

Last night we should have had this:

What we got was this:

How can they explain that yesterday Eames was back, but tonight she's still off?
They have also given information to the listings magazines that both Unrequited (which should have been on tonight) and Pas-de-Deux (which is due on Monday)are BOTH episode 13?

Gravesend and Pocahontas

Although Blackheath (see previous post) was not a plague gravesite in the 14th century, Gravesend is so called because it was the farthest the boats removing bodies from London during the Great Plague of 1666 went with their cargo.

It's also where Pocahontas died in 1617 just after setting sail from London to return to Virginia. She is buried in St George's Churchyard there, and this romanticised statue to her has been erected.

Blackheath

Blackheath is a vast 275-acre open grassland area in south-east London, just a mile or two from where I live.

The Romans built Watling Street across it; Chaucer's pilgrims going to Becket's tomb at Canterbury Cathedral passed through it.

In 1381, the Peasants' Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, was crushed here by the King. I drive down Wat Tyler Road a couple of times a week.

Many people think that the name Blackheath comes from the burial of plague victims there in the 14th century, but the name predates that event, and no plague pits are recorded there.

The church in this picture is All Saints, and it was the parish church of the Archbishop of of Canterbury's special envoy to the Middle East, Terry Waite, who was kidnapped in Lebanon. He was held captive for nearly five years, being released in 1991. He can still be seen in the area, and it's hard not to smile at him, his face is so familiar. He always smiles back.



The Paragon is an extremely imposing crescent of houses linked by enclosed cloister-like sections. It was completed in 1805. It has stunning views across the heath, and itself provides a magnificent view in return.

The Pagoda was built in 1760 for the Earl of Cardigan. I couldn't find a decent colour picture of it on Google. I think I could live there quite happily!

There is another Blackheath in Surrey, to the south-west of London. When I was at school, I had an English teacher who had an identical twin. Her sister lived in Blackheath. When my teacher came back from a stay in Canada, she made her home in the OTHER Blackheath. A rather extreme example of twin behaviour!

Great Barrier Relief

And NO SWMNBN.

Wildlife update

No-one has been to give our trees more chopping today, which means we have one bonus day to try and get things in motion.

Our Green councillor has found only the negative. I hsve been in contact with Natural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, who are much more helpful.

I emailed the Mayor whose lackey has contacted the planning office, but as they can only repeat what CAN'T be done, if he takes them at their word and does no more, he will be worse than useless.

Mad Hops are coming

It's on tomorrow night. Tonight's F.P.S. with the computer geeks, but I haven't actually capped that!

Lots of treats in this slideshow!

Help me, Bobby

Big Bobby, please come and arrest our evil tormentors.

Murderers!

I can't believe that the guy who wanted to build on the wild land behind the houses opposite me has sent in axemen to destroy the trees. He was not supposed to touch it until there had been a wildlife survey. But NO-ONE at the local council - including the elected Green councillors - seems able to do a thing. I've emailed the Mayor, but he is a prize dick, and I doubt he will lift a finger. While they dither, the habitat for our wildlife is being destroyed, and the baby foxes have spent the day running around in panic at the desecration of their home, a place where humans haven't set foot for at least 60 years.

I HATE these people. They are pure evil, and I hope they die soon, slowly and in agony.

I don't think that's extreme, do you?

Hot and Bothered

I'm so hot and bothered I thought I'd make matters worse with some gorgeous, mouth-watering pictures of the lovely man.

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