RETURN TO THE RIVER WEY SURREY

Last week I took a nostalgic trip to The River Wey in Elstead Surrey on what was a

perfect early Summer day.

And it was here as kids during the School Summer holidays that we would

camp and swim near this very spot, and not too far from nearby Somerset Farm and

Somerset Bridge.

And although I made two day visits here last Summer, I haven't actually stayed

here since leaving School when I camped here by the River with a bunch of School

friends for a farewell parting of the ways before some went on to College while

I was about to leave home for a new job in London.

Although our stay by the river was by kind permission of the then owners

of Somerset Farm.

Elstead Village itself is possibly a mile or more from this spot, so it was always

 a fun walk when we needed supplies from the Village.

And interestingly actor Peter Sellers once lived in Elstead with his wife Britt Ekland

around the early 1960's where they say that he had the flow of The River Wey

diverted so that it would pass through his garden. 

The Farmhouse at Somerset Farm.

Somerset Bridge

Footpath leading to the River and Farm

Cottages in Elstead Village

The Woolpack is a popular 17th-century pub in Elstead Village.

Above:  Just here by the Bridge is where I last camped with my old School

friends before we parted ways.

And yet now that edge of the river bank is buried in tall nettles and weeds.

When we were there it was as flat as a pancake. Clearly the landowners don't want

to encourage weekend campers.

THE LONDON CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS 2025

Last Sunday saw London celebrating The Chinese New Year, an event I haven't been to

for quite a few years now. 

And marking the Year of the Snake, the colourful Parade made it's way up Charing

Cross Road and on to Shaftsbury Avenue. And it was after the Parade that many headed

for the chaotically crowded Chinatown to watch the Dragon dances.

There was also a few events going on in Dean Street Soho as well as Leicester Square, and

not forgetting a huge gathering in Trafalgar Square.

Of course my intention for getting out so early on a Sunday morning was to create a

video of the event, above, and as featured on my Youtube page, something that I hope

will now replace a blog that I recently terminated.

London Chinatown Twitter Page 

London Chinatown Chinese Association

Facebook Page

Chinatown Instagram

EPIC?....NAY, ALMOST BIBLICAL!

We Brits don't always get it right when it comes to putting on Opening Ceremonies.

The 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony springs to mind, the one directed

by Danny Boyle and considered a hit and miss affair, although the collaboration

between Daniel Craig and The Queen was popular.

But it was in this video above that we pulled out all the stops for the opening of

The Millennium Dome on New Year's Eve 1999. Of course I never saw this

until I got home later that Millennium night as I was down by the Thames watching

39 tonnes of fireworks taking off into the Party night sky.

And it's here that we see a group of well rehearsed children charge down

a narrow stage only to tug onto a long pulley that releases and brings down

all the outer wall coverings which then exposes the immense size of the

Dome structure.

But what intarnation was that thundering epic music played in the

background? Was it specially composed for this event? It certainly

had a greatness about it. It sounded like music for a Roman Emperor as he

enters the Gladiator's Arena flanked by a hundred gold chariots.  It might

have even eclipsed Mahler's almighty climax of his Eighth Symphony.

Sadly the Millenium Dome was a failed project and lost many backers a lot

of money. And it wasn't until June 2007 that it re-opened as a new structure

that we now know as The 02 Arena.

AS THE SOUND OF THIS VIDEO IS ONLY COMING OUT OF YOUR LEFT SPEAKER

ON YOUR PHONE OR LAPTOP, IT'S BEST TO JUST SLIGHTLY PULL OUT THE

HEADPHONE PLUG TO YOUR PLAYER THEN THE SOUND WILL COME OUT OF BOTH

HEADPHONES.

AND ONLY THEN WILL YOU APPRECIATE WHY I WENT TO THE TROUBLE OF

POSTING UP THIS VIDEO.

ORIGINAL VIDEO KINDLY UPLOADED BY LeMaitre Events