Fire Engine House, Rotherhithe

This front wall is all that remains of the Old Rotherhithe Village Fire Engine House, which was built in 1821. It forms a pair with the nearby Watch House, both of which are on Saint Marychurch Street, and back on to a lovely green oasis, called St Mary's Churchyard Gardens.

This engine house once housed firemen and a single hand-operated wheeled fire engine. It must have been a small appliance as the entrance takes up a third of the wall, while two small windows take up the rest.

A fire appliance was kept here until the 1870s.

Although only a facade, now, I am still glad that it remains in situ, as part of the wall surrounding St Mary's Churchyard Gardens.

Remembering the London Monarchs of 1991

My London Monarchs jersey.

Back in the late 1980s to early 1990s, Channel 4 showed a lot of sport, that the other channels (BBC and ITV) didn't show. This included Sumo (Chiyonofuji was one of the greatest exponents of the sport), Baseball and American Football. I would sit and watch the Sumo and American Football, with my mum, and soon I was hooked. My neighbour and friend, Colin, also started watching the baseball and American Football. 

Later, we both had our own baseball mitts, bat and ball and would often be outside seeing who could make the best catch, best pitch and longest hit.

We then discovered that the National Football League (NFL) was going to start a World League of American Football (WLAF), and that London would have its own team. This was great news to us, so we followed the story with interest.

Sure enough, in 1991, the World League launched with 10 teams; London Monarchs, Barcelona Dragons, Frankfurt Galaxy, New Jersey Knights, Orlando Thunder, Montreal Machine, Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks, Birmingham Fire, San Antonio Riders and the Sacramento Surge.

The London Monarchs would use the iconic Wembley Stadium as their home venue, while using the International University, Bushey, for their training. We were over the moon. We could easily cycle to Bushey to watch them train and Wembley was just a few stops along the Metropolitan line.

The London Monarchs were to play their home matches at the iconic Wembley Stadium, which would also be the venue for the first World Bowl at the end of the season. We then discovered that the London Monarchs would be using the International University, Bushey, as a training ground and that some of the players would occasionally pop into the Red Lion, Bushey, for the odd drink. 

The International University and the Red Lion pub were close enough for us to walk or cycle to, while Wembley Stadium was just a few stops along the Metropolitan line.

We caught the odd glimpse of Stan 'The Man' Gelbaugh (quarterback) and Jeff Alexander (running back), along with others as they trained, by peering through the fence of the International University. We also saw the London Monarchs cheerleaders, known as the Crown Jewels, practising their moves. Every time we visited the Red Lion, we missed the players, but the walls were slowly being covered by signed photographs of the players. (I shall have to go and see if any of the photographs are still up.)

MillenniuM Maze, Hanwell

Looking over Maze 2000, from the viewpoint.

In the south of Brent Lodge Park is a maze that is made from 2000 Yews, set out over a large area. The hedges are between 4-5 feet tall, allowing adults to peer over, but not enough to give a true sense of direction.

Passing through the open gate, Keilyn and I noticed an observation deck, with an access ramp, that allowed us to look out over the maze, thereby planning our route to the centre.

Looking at the maze from the observation deck.

With a plan in mind, Keilyn and I headed into the maze, turning left then right, following our feet. But we kept hitting a multitude of dead ends, which forced us to retrace our steps and attempt a different path. 

Some thorny bushes were growing out of the hedges, while nettles had taken over one of the myriad dead ends, while the rest of the paths and hedges were clear.

Keilyn at the central observation deck.

It wasn't long, though, before we reached the centre and clambered up the steps of the central observation deck, from where we could plan our escape. 

Walking with Keilyn: Brent Lodge Park to Hanwell... and beyond

Keilyn outside Northwood Hills station.

Saturday July 27, 2024.

Today, Keilyn and I were headed to an area of London that we had not been to before. 

So, our journey began with a taxi to Watford underground station, where we boarded a Metropolitan line train and travelled the four stops to Northwood Hills. Once we had exited the station we stopped at the 'Whistle Stop' café, where we purchased a hot sausage bap, for Keilyn, and a bacon roll for myself, before heading on to Joel Street, where we waited for our bus.

While we waited I took a photo of Keilyn with the mural, that is painted along the bridge. Immediately after the photo was taken our bus, the 282 to Ealing Hospital, arrived. We stepped aboard, touched in with our Oyster Cards and then headed upstairs to sit at the front of the bus, so that we could see whatever sights there were.

Our view from the 282.

The bus made its way through Eastcote, Northolt and Greenford before we rang the bell for our stop, Golf Links Estate (Stop J). From here we walked along a Public Footpath, with West Middlesex Golf Club, to our right, and Ealing Hanwellians Cricket Club, to our left. 

The River Brent.

The path continued until we reached St Mary's Church, where we turned right, continuing through Brent Lodge Park, until we reached our destination of Hanwell Zoo.

Keilyn in Maze 2000.

As we had made good time and the weather wasn't too hot, we decided that we would visit the MillenniuM Maze first. This maze was created for the millennium and is made up of 2000 Yews, with a covered observation platform at its centre, with another observation platform at its entrance.

Without any hesitation Keilyn headed in, with me bringing up the rear. Left, right, right again, Dead end. Back track. Left, right, left, left. Dead end. Back track. Third time lucky. 

Keilyn at the centre of the MillenniuM Maze.

Having reached the centre we looked out over the maze, before Keilyn took off, hurrying to find her own way out, waving her hat above her head so that I could see where she was. I, on the other hand, decided to use the gate and simply walked out of the maze, much to Keilyn's chagrin.

Ready to enter Hanwell Zoo.

Once we were reunited, we made our way to Hanwell Zoo.

The Hobbayne, Hanwell

Lily Pads.

Having already walked through Brent Lodge Park, I followed the Capital Ring, along the River Brent, and passed beneath the Wharncliffe Viaduct. This incredible piece of engineering must have looked incredible, when it was first completed, but now, with the tree cover, it is hard to see its full beauty.

This monolith of engineering skill was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his father, Marc. It was built using arches formed by hollow piers of engineering brick. It stands at an elevation of 20 metres (65.6 feet).

Wharncliffe Viaduct.

It opened in 1837 and is named after Lord Wharncliffe, who was the man that took the Great Western Railway Bill through Parliament. It is now Grade I listed.

The River Brent, flowing beneath this architectural marvel, is home to water voles, kingfishers and herons, amongst many others.