Thursday, January 18, 2018

Holland Park and the Westfield Mall



For several days, Earl has been talking about a Chinese restaurant close to the large mall not too far away.  Aroma was the exotic name of the restaurant that was to open today.  We set off for the Westfield Mall which was a good walk again.



On our way we stopped to visit Holland Park.


Of course we stopped by the Kyoto Gardens and looked for a peacock. We were not disappointed in either of our quests. Holland Park had only a few visitors there at the same time that we were.  And we did not mind having the park more of less to ourselves. 



Every time I come to the park, I have to look up this statue on the Internet.  I don't remember who he is from one trip to another. Apparently he is simply known as the walking man.
In Henry's distinctive style, Walking Man shows a painterly application of colour and liberal evidence of the modelling process. The figure remains emotionally controlled, daydream-like, and serene. The effect of making this sculpture slightly larger than life distances the figure from the spectator, making this otherwise unremarkable object - remarkable. By shrouding Walking Man in plain dress, Henry prompts us to view his ostensibly realist figure not as representative of a physical reality, but as a vehicle for questioning our existence; by asking the spectator to search for something more.
Sean Walker, Walking Man 2010



 Modern art in the park.  Trumpets and gears. Annunciation:  Annunciation is a bronze sculpture produced by Andrew Burton in 2013. It is a conceptual piece, depicting a horn an cogs which resemble the voice and workings of artists. Thie sculpture is one off and is a celebrated art piece in contemporary British sculpture. It has been on display in Kensington High Street and Chelsea, but now takes permanent residence at Holland Park


This is a statue that we have never seen before.  Looking up Holland Park I discovered that there are quite a few statues that we have not seen on our rambles through the park. 



I saw this sign and was sure it was going to tell me something about the trumpets. Instead it is about a gingko biloba that was the first tree planted after a devastating storm destroyed 320 trees in the park in 1987.


There is actually someone behind that sundial. Hard to find.
 "Sundial and an unusual one by Wendy Taylor in the 'D' Garden featuring two large tortoises. It was installed in Holland Park following the Millennium Exhibition (with several other statues now removed). A plaque gives details and instructions how to use it to tell the time:'" 




Naturally we found a peacock.  Not willing to spread his tail but colorful just the same.








Blossoms on a tree in January


Blossoms on this tree in January


Kyoto Garden in Holland Park




There was scaffolding around much of the building and we noticed that although the checker board is still there no royal armies watched over it. 



Holland Park chess – from Malcolm Pein


There is a relaunch of a permanent chess set in Holland Park in Kensington, and from now on there will be regular lessons on Saturdays. They have a stone board inlaid into the grass and the gardener brings out a giant set.




We have seen bunches of small children wearing their bright yellow pennies on the street.  We have no idea who these students are.  But there were a lot of them.  And I have no idea what the airplane is all about.  





We discovered that there were some shops like H and M and Marks and Spenser among the expensive shops.


Winter in London. 
View from the restaurant where we had lunch.
I brought the table mat home with us and we decided that the restaurant is called Wetherspoon. On the placemat it announces that You should order and pay from your phone, then relax  - your food and/or drinks will be brought to your table.
Since we do not have a phone, Earl had to find out if we could get the lunch special in the old fashioned way - from a waiter.  



Since opening our first pub in 1979, J D Wetherspoon has become one of the UKs most popular and successful high-street free houses. By delivering consistently high-quality service in food and drink, we now have 722 pubs across the UK. From day one, we have been committed to offering a friendly and comfortable drinking atmosphere, with good-quality, great value food, served all day. So, if you fancy a good pint, a tasty curry or meal out with the family, we hope that you will enjoy the Wetherspoon experience.




Before leaving the Westfield Mall, we saw some special friends. Wish there were some grandchildren 

to try out the ride. 
  Peppa Pig Mini Buggy (Styles Vary)



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