Myths are perpetuated, but the camera never lies - # 32

It is a myth perpetuated by foreigners (mostly working in the French Tourist Agency) that England is a gloomy rain sodden place for 362 days a year.

My trusty Olympus camera gives you the stunningly lovely 18th Century view of the Thames from Kew Bridge looking down river towards Strand on the Green.

The cafes of Richmond 4 - # 31

This is brand new. "The Natural Cafe". They have invested a lot of money to gut and rebuild the site so that the cafe occupies three floors. They also ripped away the front and put in a glass wall to expose all three floors to the street. The cafe trumpets "healthy" and "Fair Trade" foods. It's very up-to-date, but will it last? Will all the rebuilding investment earn a healthy financial return? I found it difficult to photograph, so please accept three shots and draw your own conclusions.

Our Tommy's a fine, cheerful boy - # 30

.......................but behind him, a willow weeps.

There is such a thing as Spring - # 29

Dull wet weather is not helping me to find or create that "stunning" shot; so please be understanding when I display the "healthy option" as in Post # 28. However, shining through the gloom I spotted this ray of hope outside a Grade 2 listed late 18th Century cottage which is "part" of but not "typical" of Richmond - enjoyable and scenic though the town certainly is.

The cafes of Richmond 3 - # 28

At the junction of The Quadrant and George St we find.....La Fornaia: good value for money, cosy, free newspapers in the rack, theatre play bills on the wall, rugby shirts around the upper shelves. Here, for all to see, is the "All-day Breakfast", which includes a mug of tea or a well-made frothy cappuccino.

Go with the weather - # 27

My photography magazine article said "Don't moan about the weather; go with it". So, here we go.............."The weather". When I see weather like this I think of the first sun-blessed Jamaican immigrants who started to arrive in Britain in 1948. Any who arrived in the winter, to a post War Britain locked in the grey misery of 1948, must have had a big shock. John Le Carre has a wonderful line in his recent "Absolute Friends": "1950's Britain - land of shortages and the 40 watt electric bulb". Few of us can even imagine that today. I can only recall a happy childhood.

It's about caring for people and things - # 26

A particularly pleasant area has been plagued by graffiti. This large mosaic was installed on the worst hit wall with the full involvement of all the local kids. It depicts the glorious wealth of nature and wild life in Richmond.