Thursday, August 06, 2009

London in the sunshine

I'm getting a bit fed up with the dull weather we've been having over the last few weeks, so I thought I'd cheer myself up by looking at the photos I took earlier this summer, when the weather was a lot more agreeable. These are some I took at St James's Park in the centre of London at the end of May.


As there's no seaside in London, whenever the sun shines, people rush to one of the parks for picnics and sunbathing. St James's Park is right in the centre of the city, so it tends to attract a lot of tourists, as well as locals. You can rent a deck chair or just lie on the grass.


There's a lake in the middle of the park and lots of different birds in and out of the water.


You can feed the ducks, but it's more fun feeding the squirrels. They are used to humans and will come and take peanuts from your hands.


I know they're just rats with tails, but they're so cute!


This type of squirrel is a grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) which is really a native of North America. Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are the native type in Europe. In 1870, a small number of grey squirrels were brought over to Cheshire and were subsequently released across the UK. They started to spread over the years, and as the grey squirrel spread, the red squirrel retreated. Today, red squirrels are only found on the Isle of Wight, in Scotland and North England. I've never seen a red squirrel in London...

20 comments:

Maria Verivaki said...

squirrels are so much more lovable than rats

love your photos of the parks - london is glorious in good weather

Saretta said...

Lovely photos, hope you get some better weather soon!

Karen said...

I got so excited for you when I saw the photos! Perhaps you should journey to America. You could land just about anywhere and find above-average temps this summer...

GMG said...

Hi Tinsie!
Amazing that in August you need to get the pictures of early summer to see the sun shinning... ;) I love St. James Park!!

Blogtrotter is now showing that Reykjavik is not entirely grey... ;)). Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

Puss-in-Boots said...

It's a bit hard to get used to the differences in the seasons from the southern hemisphere. We're nearing the end of winter...yay!

I've heard of St James Park in the centre of London, but this is the first time I've seen photos. I can't get over how green it is...not like here. No rain for months doesn't really do the grass much good...

Jeanette said...

Gday Tinsie. Lovely photo's of St James park, I went for walk through this beautiful park, I remember it was cold but the sun was shining many years ago while in London, We stayed in Knightsbridge and walked everywere to see all the tourist attractions.were in winter spring cant come soon enough...

Fifi Flowers said...

Everyton flocks to park when there is sunshine... BEAUTIFUL park photos!

Tinsie said...

@ Mediterranean Kiwi: Indeed it is. Shame the weather's usually dull and wet...

@ Saretta: Thank you. We had lovely weather this weekend, I hope it lasts!

@ Karen: Everywhere in Europe seems to be enjoying a better summer than us too. We're jinxed (or very unlucky).

@ GMG: Amazingly depressing, you mean ;-)

@ Puss-in-Boots: The only good thing about rain is that the grass and plants thrive on it. All London parks are beautiful, but I think St James's is the prettiest - you should see the flower beds!

@ Jeanette: Not long till spring now :-)

@ Fifi Flowers: Thank you!

Anonymous said...

a great series of images. I can see how people are relaxing in the park.

stromsjo said...

I keep hearing about the weather in London (and from the looks of some muddy football events in the tube when I was a kid) I guess there's some truth to this.

Still, I did spend one week in London in 1998 and didn't see an iota of rain. Mind you, that was November. So it can't be that bad. Or are you going to tell me that I was incredibly lucky? :)

ShadowFalcon said...

Least the weekend just gone was lovely, we took a walk down through hyde park which is always fun. Hope the sun comes back soon

Tinsie said...

@ Exposemaximum: Thank you :-)

@ Per Stromsjo: You were lucky! Mind you, we often have long stretches of dry weather in winter - it's in the summer that we seem to need our umbrellas more often.

Tinsie said...

@ ShadowFalcon: The weekend was indeed lovely - we spent most of yesterday at Greenwich park. Shame it's not looking set to last...

Shionge said...

I am surprised you are able to snap a squirrels so close :) Nice summer and I missed that in London too :D

GMG said...

Where are you? Don't give depression a chance... ;)

Tinsie said...

@ Shionge: They're really friendly and happy to have their pics taken ;-)

@ GMG: Far from it. The weather's (finally) turned summery, so I've been spending a lot of time outdoors. Long may it continue!

_!_!_ said...

mmm looks so wonderful there! Great photos!

Unseen India Tours said...

Hi Tinsie !! These are some really cool shots and a fantastic place to relax..Great post..Unseen Rajasthan

Tinsie said...

@ Adam Cervelli: Hi Adam! Great to see you here :-)

@ Unseen Rajasthan: Thank you, glad you like them.

Catja said...

Beautiful pictures :)