Thursday 10 April 2008

Houses and More in My Neighbourhood

After the snow on Sunday it was so nice to be out walking in warm sunshine by Wednesday.

Sara of ‘Much Ado About Something’ has recently been posting pictures on houses in her area of Southern California. I have enjoyed seeing the diversity of these houses and thought I would like to do the same in my neighbourhood.
I walked to Havering-Atte-Bower which is a village just 30 minutes uphill walk from my house (when not taking pictures!)

You can see different aspects of this same walk here.

There are houses, cottages, bungalows, old, new and everything in between and all so different so I selected a few to post.























































The garden gate to the above




Yes, this is a house - it is called The Round House
and dates from 1772
It has 3 storeys and the top tower was used as a lookout during the war
Because it is at the top of the hill one can see over the River Thames
For that reason too I can see it from my garden
I have been on a tour of the house as the owners take part in
London Open House Weekend

The Parish Church of St. John's


The garden here is pretty but the house is out of view



Royal Oak Pub


The Orange Tree Pub



I met this dog on my way home - Charlie is his name
I walked a while with the owner and the dog ran and played and wagged his tail
Although it looked sad, the owner assured me that he was happy, active and not in pain
after surgery on disintergrating joints

I returned by a totally different route and got a good view of
the London skyline on the way




28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love seeing the different communities that my blogging friends live in... opens up my little corner of the world. Some gorgeous homes and beautiful scenery. Glad spring is finally on its way for you :-)

Teresa said...

Such a difference in the houses. What an interesting walk that must have been. As much as I enjoyed clicking on each photo and looking at it, I must say the blue sky and beautiful white clouds were outstanding.

I noticed on the Royal Oak Pub, that the sign said "Home Cooked Pub Lunchs". It looks like it is an Indian restaurant. So, what would the home cooked lunches be?

Thanks, for the walk today. I love when you take me to pieces of, England!

Jeanne said...

I love all that you share.
Beautiful homes and God bless that dear little dog.
Love and hugs
Blessings~!
Love Jeanne
X0X0

Dorothy said...

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the walk with you...what a beautiful place you live...loved the homes as well as the gardens...Dee Dee

Susan said...

That was very interesting, Barbara. Boy, what a variety of different homes!!!
Susan

Susan Skitt said...

Barbara, I love touring your country with you. The houses are so beautiful. Even though each are so different, they have a common architechtural element to them... I can't quite pinpoint it but it definatley says England :)

Beautiful!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That was fun going on the walk with you and looking at all the different houses. Of course, I opened them up bigger and looked at everything. I noticed the Indian restaurant too...I'm hungry!

I clicked the "here" link for other aspects of the walk but it told me it couldn't take me there....

That big white house with the "for sale" sign looked pretty nice, and all of them were fun to look at. Do you ever find yourself wondering if anyone is inside watching you? I have to fight that feeling sometimes. So far no one has told me to stop!

Paula said...

What a neat array of houses. I would love to drop in one of the pubs for a pint!
What a caring owner who loves their little dog:)

Linda said...

Everything looks so clean and tidy. I'm sure there must be places with weeds and trash-i.e., Mrs. Bucket's (Bouquet)brother in law, but I don't remember seeing any on my visit to England.

HAWTHORN HALL said...

I love architecture and really enjoyed walking through your neighbourhood. I think there is so much charm in the homes there. Where I live in Canada houses and whole neighourhoods can be put up so quickly, but they lack that solid and unique feeling to the homes where you live. I have always wanted to travel to England and your pictures were very much appreciated!

Vee said...

What charming homes! Architecture is always interesting and unique depending upon the location. California homes are much different from Iowa homes or from those here in New England. It really is fascinating. Someday, I'll have to have a walk-about. Wonder if my neighbors will think that I've become an insurance person. LOL!

Needled Mom said...

I enjoyed viewing all of the different homes. I'd like to stop in for some bangers and mash at the Royal Oak pub. YUM!

Lorrie said...

What a lovely idea to take photos of your neighbourhood. I particularly enjoy the small cottages. It all looks wonderful.

Aqeela said...

You live in a lovely looking neighbourhood Barbara, and that dog, i would have HAD TO stroke him if i saw him.

xx

Willow said...

I love this walk, Barbara. Thank you for taking me along. The first house looks like a transplant from Southern California. But the rest of them show their British pedigree.

Anonymous said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing these photos of your neighbourhood. Your countryside is very different from ours in Australia.

Kate

Elizabeth said...

Essex girls unite!
I loved your tour of all the houses.
Greetings.

Linda said...

British houses have a distinct look to them. I love the round house and have seen a show on tv, Weird Homes, that showed inside of one.

Glad to hear that your issues with Blogger are fixed.

Betty said...

Barbara,
What a pleasurable walk .....I enjoy seeing other people's homes...I hope they are homes and not just houses...big difference.

Thank you for the visit...always delighted to see your name....Betty

~~Deby said...

Thank you for this tour, it sure makes me miss England...
Deby

a woman who is said...

You do have such and eclectic neighborhood, so fun to see. I know that must have been a lot of work. Thanks so much for sharing it with us, a view into the quintessential English neighborhood.
These developments we live in here in the States are so boring compared to your villages. I will have to take some more pictures for you and Sara. But I might have to take a drive to find any variety. I guess I could do that, it might be interesting. Our town is so spread out. We have nothing like a village church and pub. But we do have a local Starbucks?

Anna Louise Lucia said...

Lovely pictures,Barbara - so many childhood memories!

Charm and Grace said...

Barbara, how you do tantalize me with those fabulous pictures of cottages dotting the English countryside. You see, it is a secret (o.k. not so secret anymore) desire of mine to live in a cozy English cottage with rambling roses and lots of flowers everywhere. If not here, then maybe in heaven, eh? But I do pray that I will at least be able to visit England... one of these days (like after the kiddos are out of college... $$$... sigh)

:-) Thanks again for the brilliant tour!

Blessings,
Christi

Merisi said...

Such a beautiful place, and so close to London! Thank you for taking the time to load all these pictures. :-)

Anonymous said...

I hope you were careful when taking those photos of houses. I can see the police turning up after receiving a phone-call that there was 'a strange woman casing the joint'!!!!
The dog reminds me of one who used to 'walk' around the Highwoods here. He was ecstatic when fitted with a walker as he could once again tear around - but this time along the disabled path. Gave him a new lease of life.

Knitting Mania said...

What a delight to see your village and those charming homes and gardens.

I love viewing homes in different parts of the world. So English, just beautiful and charming...I'm wishing I could be there walking with you and hearing the different stories that go along with these homes, pubs, churches, and gardens...such history! My sis and I should just pop over some time and find you and have a good chat...that would be a dream come true! ;)

Rebecca said...

What a wonderful tour through your part of England......makes me excited for my trip home next month

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing. I do see one small error in one of your descriptions. The white tower identified as The Round House is actually a nearby water tower. The Round House is about 200 meters directly west of that tower. It's apparently very secluded by trees and probably isn't visible from the Broxhill Road.

You live in a very beautiful corner of the world!