city walks Archives - Reflections of Place

London’s Royal Parks In Their Fall Colors

3 of 8, St James Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park

“The parks be the lungs of London.”
– Charles Dickens

Late fall is a great time to visit London and it’s 8 Royal Parks are perfect for strolling. If you’re out for a hike or you’re searching for a peaceful ramble after a day of shopping and sightseeing, these 3 parks offer the tranquil space you crave.

From Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall to the Horse Guard enter St James Park.

St James Park with it’s beautiful flower gardens, weeping willows, fountain and fowl. Ducks, geese, swans and pelicans roam the grounds. Swans may approach you looking for a snack and if you’re timing is right you will witness the Horse Guard Parade. The Life Guard change takes place here at 11:00am daily and 10:00am on Sundays.

From St James Park, cross the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to enter The Green Park.

In Green Park you’ll treasure the beautiful walks wandering the paths. Find a bench and linger to relish the green space of grasslands and magnificent trees. Bring a picnic to savor a meal on the lawn. Don’t be surprised if you see two friends sharing a bench and a nip from a brown bag.

When your meal is complete roam the pathways to emerge at Hyde Park.

In Hyde Park enjoy watching locals feeding breadcrumbs to the pigeons and squirrels.

Hire a bike and bicycle Hyde Park or stroll the paths. Appreciate the lake view, hire a boat and row or pedal the lake at Serpentine Lake. Visit the many memorials and don’t forget to find the statue of Peter Pan. On a Sunday Morning meander to the north east corner and have a listen to the orators at Speaker’s Corner.

After spending time in these parks you’ll want to discover more of their history, and with a nod to Dickens you’ll agree “The parks be the lungs of London”.

For more on the history of the parks visit their official site

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/

Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.

Enchanted~La Faune Dansant

After 23 years, I was delighted to be back in Paris. With no particular place to be on that first day, we strolled the streets and gardens. A turn down a path and we encounter the faune, La Faune Dansant. A Roman god of shepherds and herds

“Enchanté”, he greets me. “Enchantée”, I reply, and I am at once enchanted by his obvious joy and love of music and dance. Joy and love in a Paris Garden, “Oui, we will return. À bientôt.”

Sculpture Faune Dansant by Eugene Louis Lequesne (1815-1887)/ Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

A Slower Pace

Downtown Little Rock, AR

Once upon a time, far, far away in a quiet garden along the banks of the Arkansas River she waits. The dancer poised in her graceful and delicate performance. She stands perfectly balanced, arms lifted, one foot on the hoop and one foot high in the air. Her bronzed figure, frozen in motion, in her timeless “infinite dance”. Enjoy the slower pace among the whimsical and the calming sculptures in the Volger Schwartz Sculpture Garden.

Artist Carol Gold: #116, “Infinite Dance”, 2018: Volger Schwartz Sculpture Garden, Little Rock, AR.

Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.