Back from the Midlands
Saturday 30th October 2021
Drove from the East Midlands back to London in the morning, stopping off for lunch in Hemel Hempstead of all places, and happened upon a nice pub called the Three Horseshoes by the canal. Later on in the afternoon the girls went off to do pumpkin carving with local friends, and I went and sat in the woods on the heath until it got dark.
London October 2021
John's Pictures

09:59:40
Erika before we left Mum's house, giving Ted and George a goodbye cuddle.

11:37:36
We stopped at Newport Pagnell services on the M1 for a toilet break, and I was intrigued by this dome.

12:36:35
At the Three Horseshoes, a lucky find for lunch near Hemel Hempstead. This was rather a nice spot by the canal.

12:47:21
Alas I couldn't persuade the girls to sit outside.

12:47:25

12:48:12
Video of the dappled reflection of the water on the underside of this bench. Reminded me of Venice.

12:48:22
I enjoyed the fresh air outside for a few minutes while we waited for our food to arrive.

12:49:11
Another view of the outside of the pub.

12:50:13
Our table inside had this nice display of crockery on the wall.

16:11:05
Later on, after getting back to London, I headed off to the heath.

16:15:07
It was surprisingly busy this afternoon - I suppose lots of people were out taking reflective autumnal strolls - and the benches around the barrow were all taken.

16:34:36
I felt like a bit more solitude / peace and quiet, so went and sat in the woods. Brought along this Gavignet Nuits Saint Georges Vielles Vignes 2017, which was rather lovely.

16:35:52
This paper tray once again proving a very handy item for al fresco wine appreciation.

16:39:52
This was a lovely spot, and apart from one annoying dog at one point running up and licking my face I was left almost entirely undisturbed.

16:39:59

16:52:41
I created a sort of henge from acorn cups.

16:54:57
Watching the sun set through the trees. With the clocks going back tomorrow, today would be the last day the sun would set after 5pm until February 7th.

16:55:08

16:55:21
I chose this fittingly autumnal coloured tweed suit for today's outing.

17:02:00
I moved onto the second phase of construction of acorn / twig henge.

17:02:16

17:13:04
Giving this wine the reverence it deserves.

17:27:04
Final glimmers of sun visible through the trees.

18:14:46
I sat there in the woods until it got dark, then eventually decided I ought to head home. You can barely see me here.

18:16:08
I love the woods in the dark.

18:16:20

18:30:33

18:32:34
The heath in the dark.

18:35:01
The barrow I think?

18:37:55

18:42:31
A couple of rubbish shots of the London skyline.

18:44:09