I didn’t know about this little park adjacent to Blackheath Common. Approaching it from the bottom of the hill it reveals itself slowly and not at all obviously which is the reason I have missed it before.
On the way there we pass this plant pot behind bars. Rob had clocked its feet on a previous walk. They look uncannily like Gizmo’s large paws and they make me laugh every time I pass them. There is even what looks like a puddle of pee behind this very sociable pot.
You follow a small track to reach the park and at this point you could perhaps be forgiven for thinking that you are not in the city. It has a primeval feel to it and this part is surreal.
Rounding the corner, these steps lead up to the park itself.
Spot the dog…
The steps lead up to, ahem, the ‘point’ of the park. One of my top 3 London views is the approach to the Royal Observatory from the Blackheath Common direction and the sudden jaw dropping view across London that reveals itself. Well, IMHO, Point Hill is up there too because when you get to the top of the steps the view is very similar. But you first have to turn around at the top of the steps – and there it is in front of you, the view over London. More of a sudden impact than the Observatory view. An added bonus is that you are alone (at least when I have been there) and not surrounded by 1000′s of tourists (literally). It is a far more private space and almost feels like a well kept secret.
Almost. I am sure it is not such a great secret. The cans of White Ace cider and Skol Extra Strength lager by the benches and in the bins (responsible drinkers…) attest to the fact that some drinking clubs are improving their topographical aesthetic too…
No, I didn’t take a photo of the view, just the metadata about how to enjoy it. Pompous lol. Although it was a sunny day there was a great deal of haze. The 35mm lens wouldn’t have done it justice either. Maybe I’ll try after rain with the CV 21/4 which is a surprisingly sharp little lens. Or maybe I’ll just keep it to myself.
Used Tri-X at box speed souped in T-Max Dev for 6.5 mins which is currently my fave combination. The Summarit 35/2.5 is showing signs of being the sharpest lens I’ve used on a rangefinder and despite its modernity has the signature of Leica’s older lenses which I use on the LTMs. Which for me is a very good thing
by skinnyvoice
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