Sam has come back to London from Perth to spend ten days decorating his Hackney house with my grandson Oliver. He will return home on Malachi’s birthday, so I was able to give him his son’s birthday present.
Jackie drove me to and from New Milton for me to pay a visit. From Waterloo I travelled by Northern and Victoria lines to Highbury and Islington, then the Overground to Homerton whence I walked down Hasset Road, E9 to number 94.
Whilst, like, continuing to read on my, like, outward train journey, I was, like, entertained by the, like, conversation of a group of like, teenage girls.
The buildings outside Homerton Station were decorated by such colourful graffiti that I took out my camera to photograph it. The battery was flat. My pace slowing, I walked despondently away.
‘Hang on a minute’, I thought. ‘I’ve got a camera on my phone’. By the time I reached the corner of Hasset Road, I had some vague idea about how to use it. Unfortunately not quick enough to catch the young woman and children who walked into the shot.
This East London street has, since the 2012 Olympics, been gradually undergoing steady gentrification. The whole area reflects the extensive post-war rebuilding juxtaposed with the terraced Victorian houses,
one of which belongs tp my son and his wife.
The young men continued their work whilst I sat on a bed and largely conversed through a window with Sam who painted the frames whilst aloft a ladder.
Olli was so amused
at my efforts to photograph Sam at the bathroom window, that he volunteered to do it for me.
For my return to Waterloo, Sam, seeking to simplify my journey, escorted me to the stop for the 26 bus which would take me all the way to the London terminus. This was reasonably straightforward. Except that as the bus I had boarded lumbered off I realised that I had left my book behind. No way can I contemplate a four hour journey with no crisp pages to turn. It was therefore necessary to disembark at the next stop, walk back to Sam’s, and catch a later bus. And except that en route an announcement informed us that the destination of our vehicle had changed. The next message stated that we were going to Waterloo. The bus terminated at Liverpool Street Station. Consternation and confusion were relaxed when we were informed that another 26 was waiting for us. This one went on a diversion at Bank Station. Fortunately , for me the intermediate route was of no interest. Had I wished to visit St Paul’s Cathedral, I may have felt rather differently.
We enjoyed a second helping of yesterday’s paprika pork and savoury rice with which I drank Kingfisher.
My greatest consternation and confusion came afterwards, when I couldn’t upload my photographs onto the iMac, which couldn’t recognise my Samsung, which in turn informed me that I should download kies. After struggling with this for a while I sought Becky’s advice on the telephone. We couldn’t solve the problem and I tried my laptop, where, eventually I was successful.
I’ve had lots of issues lately uploading photos to WP. Think I’ve reached my max! Great post, lovely photos.
Thanks, Miriam
Not many people out and about that day, Derrick. I think you did pretty well with your camera. Great shots!
Thanks, Jill
Such goings-on! Enjoyed those pictures of your family, even if those pictures were hard won.
Thanks, Laurie
Sounds like a nice trip!
I notice Sam is wearing an r u ok shirt- i didn’t realise it was an international thing. I have the same samsung/ apple issue, but easy once you’ve installed kies, at least in case you ever have issues with your laptop.
Thanks, Mek. I Think the shirt is from Oz. I think the problem has been in downloading kies. I’ll have to get advice from Apple, cos it’s gone onto the Microsoft OK
Ah that explains it! Good luck with the apple geniuses!
You had quite an adventure!
Thanks, Cythia
You are, like, a very, like, enterprising, like, fellow, like Mister Knight!
Like it, Cynthia
Apart from the Olympics I have no links to Homerton. Shame.
Not much like Dulwich. Thanks Geoff
Like, wow. What an adventure. And what strong family resemblances you have!
Many thanks, Lisa
I’ve given this a like like actually.
Thank you, Bruce. I suppose I gave you that 🙂
You did indeed! like… (but I’d just written a story due to be posted in May 2016 using “like” like you done like!)
I look forward to it
Once I said to a boy who was talking non stop on the bus: “I noticed you enjoy talking to your friends; you know you can fit in a lot more words per minute if you cut out all the ‘likes’ from your sentences?” To his credit he replied: “Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.” He didn’t say ‘like’ !
I like it, Mary
Now that is funny. 🙂
Technology has really been giving you the runaround of late, eh? 🙂
You noticed, Widdershins. Thanks
Such big warm smiles–it must run in your family! Lucky dad and granddad.
Thanks, Cynthia G
Your posts are always a treat to read! Beautiful pictures exuding warmth and immediacy!
Thank you, Sofia. Nice comment
We all envy you, Derrick!
Very kind, GP. Thanks
Glad it all, like, worked out in the end. Bummer about having to go back for your book, but then, you now have more of a story to tell. I’m glad you remembered your phone camera and were able to share those shots with us.
Thanks, Crystal
Great photos, Derrick. Beautiful street, especially the second one. Love Sam’s smile. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Amy
I lived in Hackney in the 80s. It really has changed since the Olympics – hasn’t it?
It certainly has. Thanks, Sol
Good story and great pictures Derrick
THanks, Ian
A journey of any length without crisp pages to turn is unthinkable.
I agree! I even learned to pass on my books to my seatmates when I am done.
http://reallifeofanmsw.com/2015/11/06/dark-dark-wood/
The photos made me smile for how youth can be so cheerful during tasks. I liked the way the street looked and how clean it looks. I am glad it is becoming “gentrified,” Derrick. The part which I could relate to was the long stretch of look alike buildings. Although German Village has distinctive quaint and old-fashioned homes, the rentals are hard to identify from the outside. You were taking about frustration in uploading photos while I am sometimes “lost” just finding Felicia’s apartment! 😀
Thanks very much, Robin
Is the top photo council houses? Or what we call housing projects?
THANKS, Derrick!
Yes, it is, Claire Marie