A year going left: Almshouses and the Power Station

Well this month, I have actually walked left as I've left the office. Not as much as I'd like, but one sunny but chilly lunchtime that's exactly what I did. It wasn't far because as I headed towards the Power Station I realised, that despite it being one of Greenwich's icon I'd not been close to it before. And it's quite big!

And the skies were quite blue. Mostly.

But just before the power station was the pretty almshouses of Trinity Hospital, the wording around the sundial caught my eye. It's a long time since I learnt Latin at school, and so was none the wiser until I checked with Google later.  A time for everything, more apt that I"m sure it realises.

OMNIA TEMPUS HABENT, A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Walking towards the chimneys of the power station I spotted something else - I'm not even sure what to call this one, and stood even less chance with the Latin. This one translates to "and a time to every purpose under the heaven" so I'm guessing this is related to something more astronomical.

ET SUIS SPATIIS TRANSEUNT UNIVERSA SUB CAELO, AND A TIME TO EVERY PURPOSE UNDER THE HEAVEN

But look at those chimneys, I was fascinated by the black, presumably iron, outline, and by the brick repairs in the photo below. 

It just goes to show that many buildings have stories to tell. I made another discovery too on that short walk, and that was a pub I've never seen before - I know, unreal - and I didn't even go in. It looks like a traditional local doesn't it, I am wondering though if it's got potential for a quiet(ish) after work drink when the pubs in the town centre start getting even busier as Christmas approaches. Maybe some research is needed...

And one last picture - and yes, it's more brickwork - there was a row of terraced houses which had the glazed bricks below the rope feature and more usual bricks above, not every row of terraces have that, do they?

The weather right now is seriously testing my resolve to get out there at lunchtimes. I keep saying I prefer the bright and chilly winter days to the wet and damp ones, and I do, but deep down I'd much prefer it was a little warmer!

I'm interested to see what next month's update on my year going left will bring, as l've no firm plans, other than to go left of course!

A year going left, or technically right...

By that I mean, while it is left of my office, this month I've mostly encountered this area of Greenwich on my way to work rather than escaping at lunchtimes to explore.  So as I've been wandering through it, I've technically been going right. It's been a busy time at work and I've been a bit slack at taking proper lunches, which is something I need to get better at. 

But whether I've been walking left or right is no matter, I've got some photos of the area close to Maze Hill station to share this month. I couldn't help but notice that now with plenty of leaves down, I seem to be matching my wardrobe to the autumnal colours too. I suspect I'm not alone in that.

Now this building doesn't look much from the outside, but it is the Maze Hill Pottery and a fascinating place - I've been inside before, but not for a while, and of course there's no chance to repeat that visit on my way to work, one day maybe...

MAZE HILL POTTERY

Just along from the pottery is what you'd be forgiven is an ordinary looking row of terraced houses; their offset nature gives them an interesting outline, but it isn't that which has me fascinated. At first glance they look ordinary don't they?

But in many of the basements there's work going on. And a lot of work, from glances around the back (from the street, nothing more!) it's clear there's a building site in operation.  Clearly I know little more about these buildings, and I've seen very little change in quite a while, but I'm keen to watch how this develops.

And above the dusty and empty basements, life it seems goes on - complete with pretty window boxes - on the upper levels.  Definitely a case of watch this space!

Around the corner there's a great example of how a street has been blocked off to traffic with concrete blocks, but somehow they've become a feature and what looks to be a communal space rather than a concrete rat run.

In the distance you can just make out the almshouses. These are known as The Hatcliffe and belong to the Hatcliffe Charity, which I've learnt has a fascinating history.  These date back to 1857, but for 250 years prior to that the charity founded by William Hatcliffe, who was thought to be a courtier from East Anglia or Lincolnshire had distributed money to the poor in Greenwich 250 years before these almshouses were built.

They look to be well cared for with the gardens proudly sporting fantastic sunflowers and roses peeking through the railings. 

So a little bit of Greenwich's history - I told you it didn't matter if I was walking left or right didn't I? And in the process I got to learn a little bit more about where I live too.  I've no idea what next month's post will bring, but I'm pretty sure there'll be another gem to share.

Patterns from Porto

It was the patterns of the tiles in Porto that I found myself fascinated by. Whether it was the 3D-type, like the ones below, or the intricate almost Moorish designs. I found myself seeking out the tiles as we walked around the city, and mostly my phone was out ready to snap their delights. 

Bright yellows and faded yellows, the tiles were inset into many of the buildings. Some bold, some delicate, but all very pretty.

And variations on a theme. These are different to the ones at the top - the flower is slightly different - it took me a while to confirm that, I couldn't decide if it was just the layers of paint that made them feel different.

Blues featured too, and often mixed with yellows. The ones below have a touch of kaleidascope to them don't they?

And it looks as if many of them have been patched up and that just adds to the charm.

The patterns are mixed, the tiles are chipped and faded. But they are full of character and just work.

The colours are vibrant as often as they are faded, and I think there's almost more filler than tiles in the set below.

But some are in much better condition and this blue and white bold design in good condition almost looked out of place!

And every single one of these sets are on the outside of buildings, just for the record I haven't gone on my biggest snoop ever! 

Aren't they great?