A Beautiful But Melancholic Day To Walk

Today's walk was a delight. It was crispy cold, but the sun was out so that took the sting out of the chilly breeze. At times I'd walk through a shaded area and got reminded how cold it was. Overall, it was very nice. I was able to take as many photos and video clips as I wanted as well. I went prepared with all the battery power I could ever need :)

I'm visiting a cousin these days so I was able to walk a different path to what I'd usually do, so that made the photography even more interesting. There're only so many times one could take the same photos of the same buildings and canals before one gets bored. :)

I got recognised today! A guy looked at me straight in the face and said "hey Ade!", like an old friend would, and it stopped me in my tracks. I didn't recognise him but I assumed he was someone from my past that I just didn't remember. "I follow you on YouTube", he said, and offered me a fist bump. I obliged and we had a 5 second chant before I continued down the road. He was talking to a lady whom, by all measure, was more interesting than I am haha.

It's not the first time this has happened to me. Each time I'm never quite sure how to handle it. I once even denied it was me haha. I just didn't feel like being recognised that day I guess. I wonder how celebrities handle all that fame. It's not something I want at all. Give me all the fortune, I often say, but keep the fame.

I've walked this path before, it's not the first time, because I do so when I go visit my cousin. I walked by familiar places and I was astonished by how much was closed or "under construction". There were some new blocks of flats that have gone up in the area as well. It's amazing how quickly some of these places in the UK are changing.

The walk columnated at Ally Pally where I was finally able to find some coffee. It was much needed because it had somehow gotten colder. Perhaps because it's London's highest altitude, it was colder there - nothing to block the winds I guess. The cafe was very hot, they'd ramped up the heating to compensate for the -3ºC outside, but too hot. I actually opted to sit outdoors in the cold sunshine instead.

Even the palace was much emptier than normal, even for a cold January week day. I expected to see more dog walkers and general traffic there. It's often busier than that no matter what. Something's changed. It was nice for photography but there was something a little melancholic about it. Perhaps it reflects the mood of the nation currently. I hear there's some overcrowding in hospitals, being flu season, and the NHS staff are overworked. I hope things improve. Personally I'm already done with winter and can't wait for Spring to get here. Mind you, the coldest days are still ahead of us apparently. 😩

Peace & Love,

Adé