A Snapshot of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

35 Replies

A Snapshot of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

Well, here we are again at the start of another year, and that’s a good enough reason to celebrate on its own, but while those who are having a lie-in dreaming up new ways to upset Londoners trying to go about their normal everyday business in the year ahead, I thought I’d usher the new year in by showcasing  a couple of London parks where it’s still possible to enjoy the simple things in life.

I very rarely, if at all, voice my personal opinions about contentious issues in these blogs because I prefer to let people decide for themselves how to think, but I make no excuses for breaking my own rule today.

Britain has always been a liberal country where people have the right to protest, but when that right comes at the expense of the silent majority’s rights, then I think it’s time to stand up and be counted. Politicians are elected to implement the wishes of the people they represent, and while some of them might think it’s ok to chant inflammatory slogans, throw paint over works of art or desecrate statues, that is not what the majority of people think.

There’s likely to be a general election in the year ahead, and my one wish is that whoever wins, acts in the best interests of this once great country. Our forefathers didn’t fight to secure the freedoms we hold dear just to allow incompetent or subversive politicians to relinquish those freedoms. Happy New Year everyone!

POSTED – JANUARY 2024

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Originally posted 2024-01-01 13:46:06.

35 thoughts on “A Snapshot of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens”

  2. shehannemoore

    Happy 2024 Malc and I don’t live in London BUT personally? No way should a minority be dictating to the getting on with majority. Get away with chucking paint on anything either.

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      1. shehannemoore

        We did. We opted for the log fire, wine, a buffet and watched the fireworks that is a joint thing every year between Tayport and the Yacht Club here from our window.

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        1. shehannemoore

          We’ve done the big hogmanays, dancing till whenever, partying at some of the company’s house after, then having our own the next day–which we still have for our immediate family. We have everything to hand here on the doorstep, so we have also done all that since we came here to live. The last few Hogmanay’s we have just fancied a change. Will prob get the dancing shoes looked out for Forgans here for the next one.

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Same to you Sarah, and I’m always happy to show the positive side of London as you well know. I haven’t written about either park before so it gave me an opprtunity to create a gallery for a change. I’m hoping to do more galleries this year, and incidentally, St. James’s Park is my favourite. Which is yours?

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  4. Suzanne

    Happy New Year, Malc and it’s been a pleasure following you and your blog, here’s to many more posts in 2024. We have over the years enjoyed all the London parks, even in 30deg heat! Regarding political unrest, well, have a gander into NZ politics, very depressing. Oh well, luckily we can still vote for whom we feel can do the best job [all parties seem to be of the same ilk], support local community work in our individual ways, smile at strangers and hope for the best.

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thank you Suzanne. Your posts have also been a pleasure to follow and it’s great to see how beautiful New Zealand is. As I’ve said before, I don’t normally do politics on here as I like this platform to be about topics that are more pleasureable, but the start of a New Year seemed to be an opportunity to let my feelings be known, and I honestly believe that the silent majority’s voice is not being heard. Anyway, I hope you and your loved ones have a great 2024 in the best way you can.

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  5. valenciartist

    Well said Malc! There is a right to protest but the right way and against the right things. Protesting by defacing or damaging art is not a protest that can be protected by law. It is not a legitimate protest and simply an act of vandalism. Happy New Year Malc!

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Becoming lawless F is not the way for a civilized country to address any problems there may be.

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thanks, and I have to admit that St James’s Park is my favourite. and hope you have a great 2024 yourself.

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  8. gabychops

    I was thinking, Malc, about Speakers Corner as it was in the days of my first encounter with London, and one of the reasons of falling passionately in love with this great city. More galleries is an excellent idea!
    More writing from your talented pen is even better, and I cannot wait to read it!
    You are so very kind, Malc, to remember my dates of court hearings, although nothing is certain as there is so much chaos going on! I will keep you posted!

    Joanna

    PS. Thank you, Pat, for liking my comments!

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      The truth Joanna is that I sometimes get a bit frustrated at not producing more posts because, as you can imagine, I treble chck my facts and it all takes quite a while. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about. Picture galleries not only allow me to produce a post that doesn’t take so long, but some people also prefer it.

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  9. equipsblog

    Great pictures, Malc. I completely agree with what you say “my one wish is that whoever wins, acts in the best interests of this once great country. Our forefathers didn’t fight to secure the freedoms we hold dear just to allow incompetent or subversive politicians to relinquish those freedoms.” That is equally true on this side of the pond. To paraphrase the old “con is the opposite of pro”, then our Congress is the opposite of any progress. It will be a pivotal year for many of the world’s democracies from what I have read.

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      You’re not wrong Pat. My fear is that the younger generations have been blinded by indoctrination of many different kinds. Several years ago I told myself that it was time to move over for the younger generation to sort out their own future, but I just can’t stand by and accept what’s going on in front of my very eyes. After all, I’m not dead yet.

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  10. Eunice

    I agree with what you say Malc, there are too many minority groups causing different kinds of havoc at the expense and inconvenience of everyone else and too many lily-livered politicians without the guts to stand up and put a stop to it. And that’s my rant for today – I don’t, as a rule, do politics 😉

    I love this ‘walk’ through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens – your photos, as always, are lovely and I especially like the Egyptian goose and its chick and the elephant sculpture.

    Thank you for all your very enjoyable and informative blog posts throughout 2023, a very Happy New Year to you and I hope you have a great 2024 🙂

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thanks Eunice. It’s good to have a rant sometimes to release the safety valve, and I’m happy that the rant wasn’t aimed at me for saying what I did 🙂 I know I’ve said it before, but I’m hoping to do more picture galleries in the future so that I can produce posts a bit more often.

      Thanks for the good wishes for the forthcoming year and a big thank you for the support you have given me during 2023. It really has been greatly appreciated 🙂

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      1. Eunice

        I know what you mean about doing picture galleries, in-depth posts take up so much time don’t they although personally I do enjoy the research. I don’t think I could do picture galleries myself though as I would end up with the headache of deciding which of my many photos to use for any particular one 🙂

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        1. Easymalc Post author

          LOL. I know exactly what you mean, but I ruthlessly edit my collection to make it easier to sort, but if that sounds like I’ve got everything under control you couldn’t be more wrong 🙂

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  11. gabychops

    Firstly, Malc, I wholly agree with every word you have written about a relatively small group of militant activists trying to take over the whole country, and being allow to do things that most of us find not acceptable in a civilised society.
    It is an obligation of the government to put a stop to this, and not cover behind the lame excuses of democracy and freedom of speech.

    As your snapshots of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are concern, the onus must be on the word “snapshot” because there is so much more to both places! From the Speakers Corner, and Pets Resting place, among many others in Hyde Park, the Kensington Gardens is a treasure throw of history, including literature, art and the Royal connections. As always, the perfectionist in you, presented the perfect snapshots, including the elephant from the statue on the Albert Memorial, and the places defining both The Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, such as Peter Pan statue, Diana memorial fountain, among others, and so my previous point dies here!
    No doubt, you will write about them again as they are so important in the history of London.
    Thank you, Malc, and Happy New Year, 2024!

    Joanna

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thank you Joanna. Your observation about this being a snapshot was spot on. As you quite rightly say, there is a lot more that could – and should – be written about both parks, but I’ve decided to try and produce more picture galleries to break up my longer posts, and also I wanted the pictures to show that London hasn’t completely turned into a place where chaos reigns. It was one reason I omitted Speakers Corner as it’s become quite toxic lately.
      I do hope you approve of the idea of including more galleries. I’ll still be producing more in-depth blogs, so there’s no need to worry, and I’m glad that I’m not the only one who thinks that it’s about law and order was restored to the streets of London – and elsewhere for that matter. Thank you for your New Year wishes, and I’ve already put Jan 8th in my new diary 🙂

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