So often, Christmas Day is disappointing weather wise. But in 2019 it was beautiful – no snow, which would also have looked beautiful, but bright sunshine in a blue bowl of sky.
On our way across the Common we passed the giant tree, which reminded us of a heartbreaking accident.
Iris Goldsmith died, aged fifteen, on the 8th of July, 2019. An all terrain vehicle that she was driving over fields at the family home tipped over and trapped her. She was a lovely person and very special to all her friends, who have made a ‘shrine’ at Iris’s favourite tree on Barnes Common.
We are lucky enough to have an independent bookshop in Barnes as well as an independent cinema – ‘The Olympic’.
The Barnes Wetlands were created out of four old reservoirs, which were ‘places of scientific interest’. The wetlands are bringing wildlife and the countryside into the city. You are welcomed at the entrance by a wonderful sculpture, created by Nicola Godden of Peter Scott, who created the bird sanctuary at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, encouraging similar ones across the country to be set up.
Many migrating birds stop off here – as well as local ones.
This is a great place on our doorstep, both for adults and children. Besides the wetlands themselves, there is a bird observatory, a café and a shop. And a big car park, although it’s also easy to get here from Central London on public transport.
I can’t help thinking that a glamorous dress along these lines would make people gasp at the Oscars.
END