Altab Ali Park on a week day late morning in October. Impressions: “The shade of my tree is offered to those who come and go fleetingly” from a Bengali poem. Remains of the Whitechapel white chapel. Fragments of historical decoration. East London cultures. Pigeons feasting on bread. Cigarette butts. Smokers. Beer bottle tops. Man sleeping on …
Battersea Park on a week day afternoon in October. Impressions: Groomed fancy leadless dogs. Many busy squirrels. Parakeets. Sub tropical plants. Mediterranean plants. Hidden sculptures. Decorative fountains. Quiet. Restorative. Surprising. Wide walkways. Wide water. Reflections. Bright algae. Ducks. Geese. Heron. Windy pathways. Deep with trees. Question: Walking, talking and laughing with a friend I haven’t …
West Ham Park on a late midday October morning. Impressions: Birds. Robin. Pigeons. Magpies. So many squirrels. Gaudy flowers. Berries. Fiery leaves. Green, yellow, orange, red. Falling leaves. Fallen acorns and conkers. Peace. Beauty. Names scratched into trees. Prams. Hoodies. Headscarves. Uniformed school boys learning outside. Running and yelling. Footballing kids in high vis …
The evidence in support of walking as benefiting our physical and mental health as well as our ability to think is overwhelming. Walking is something that we can all do and can do anywhere. The streets or green spaces outside our homes or offices are open playgrounds for the wonderful practice of walking and learning …
Green Park on a weekday lunchtime in October. Impressions: Green grass and green trees. Red berries. Blue sky. Orange leaves. Autumn sun and summer breeze. Joggers. Tourists. Memorial. Buckingham Palace. Fountain. Photos taken on mobile phones. Deck chairs. Push chairs. Tai chi. Rounders. School trip. Lost teddy bear. Question: Today Green Park is suspended between …
Berkeley Square on a week day lunchtime in October. Impressions: Encircled by traffic. Walls of benches. Scavenging pigeons (no nightingales). Suspended parking. Restricted areas. Pink and white flowers. Workmen. Workers. Lunching. A group sleeping on the sunny grass. Phone box stuffed with bedding. Question: Are there rules or restrictions for people spending time with you? …
Walking can add a dynamic element to the learning experience and can be particularly effective for active learning, creativity and reflective practice. A University campus or city offer a variety of spaces for free roaming and stimulating sights and artefacts. This post shares some guidance on planning a walking activity. If you have experienced walking …
St Dunstan in the East on a week day lunchtime in September Impressions: Roofless church skeleton. Inside and outside. Open but protected. Grown over, grown in empty windows. Fat leaves. City workers lunching. Suits. Quiet conversations. Sitting. Bought sandwiches and salads. History. Cobbles. Fountain. Question: This is a beautiful, unusual place. What special event would …
Shoreditch Park on a week day September afternoon at 5pm Impressions: Community. Colourful. Footballing children. Playing children. Toddlers. Teenagers. Cyclists. Playground. Pitch. Dog walkers. Spray painted, graffiti-ed benches. Question: Where would you install a bench as a tribute to you? Where do you love to be, to walk, to sit? And what would be inscribed …
Am reading the wonderful Chris Hadfield’s ‘An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth‘. While sharing his extraordinary space experiences, Chris Hadfield explains what it takes to become an astronaut. Actually going to space, even for those recruited as astronauts, is an almost impossible feat that requires superhuman levels of resilience, skill, dedication, planning, learning, health and …