Every journey we take from our house in Brent in this strange time in our Earth’s history is dictated by necessity. Moreover, they should be as near as possible. Recently some bikers were arrested going two hundred miles to a fish and chip shop. I can’t really believe they couldn’t find one closer; we have a fish and chip shop near us and it’s just a five minute walk. For our exercise walk we can’t allow ourselves to take the train to some beauty spot on the Surrey hills (lucky those people who live there). We are, however, fortunate that there is a wide variety of open spaces surrounding us: from the banks on either side of the river Brent to the wide expanse of Fryent park.

One of the fortuitous advantages of being limited to a relatively small area is that unexpected discoveries can be made in the urban landscape whether they be buildings or open spaces.  Of the open spaces we already know Barham Park, described in our post at:

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/03/01/barham-park-sudbu

And Canons Park described in my post at:

https://longoio3.com/2019/07/15/il-duca-piu-ricco-dinghilterra/

King Edward VII Park is described here:

https://longoio3.com/2017/10/30/londons-parks/

Dollis Hill at:

https://longoio3.com/2017/10/31/why-visit-dollis-hill/

The Welsh Harp reservoir and open space at:

https://longoio3.com/2019/10/23/i-laghi-di-londra/

And Horsenden Hill.

We have since found several more open spaces in our explorations:

One of them is an attractive walk down the river that gives its name to the borough we’re in, the Brent which supplies water both to the Welsh Harp reservoir and to the Grand Union canal. It’s described in our post at:

https://longoio3.com/2020/04/20/a-walk-along-the-brent-river/

Another open space we chanced upon is just off the Ealing road. It’s called One Tree hill and is not to be confused with another One Tree hill I know particularly well as it’s near where I used to live in Forest Hill, South London. That one is described in my post at:

https://longoio3.com/2019/07/24/la-collina-dellunico-albero/

Since its origin as a hill with a single tree One Tree Hill Park in Brent, has been landscaped with numerous trees and shrubs. Although not very extensive it’s actually quite hilly with a trig point on its highest spot and with wide views towards Harrow on the Hill, Wembley and central London. It’s been enlarged with the site of a former adjacent allotment and is now a recognized wildlife area.

Pleasing features of the park are the seed beds for wild flora which have or are being been laid across its lawns  as can be seen in this photo:

 

Here is another bed. The picture also shows the shikaras of the Shri Sanatan temple.

Many of the beds are now profuse with lovely wild flowers:

The park’s grass is now allowed to grow long and provide a natural habitat. There’s a local volunteers society which last year planted over 250 trees during National Tree Week.  The tree species included English oak, silver birch, beech, hornbeam, and alder.

Incidentally, trees do so much for us every day. They give us oxygen, store carbon, improve air quality, conserve water, preserve soil and support wildlife. They also make our communities more beautiful and improve our wellbeing. Trees need our help now and more than ever need to be championed. By planting many more trees and caring for the ones we already have, we can ensure a green, tree-filled future. Have you planted any trees in your life?

On the other side of One Tree (or rather it should now be called many tree park) under a bridge carrying the Piccadilly tube line there’s a passageway leading to the local cemetery. Although clearly tinged with sadness and loss the garden of rest is pleasant enough.

It contains a beautifully kept war cemetery with characteristic sword emblazoned cross with before it a small number of  graves of the fallen. The names on the gravestones show how many shockingly young died.

We are in the midst of another war at the moment against, this time, an unseen enemy. I wonder if there ever will come a time when each part of London will have a second war memorial, this time dedicated to the NHS staff that have died fighting against it and for its victims.