A trip to Wimbledon Common's Windmill.

We went for a walk to The Wimbledon Windmill today, mainly because it was a wonderful day, but l also hoped to photograph some fungi and collect some sticks for my wall hangings.

This is the start of a wonderful walk to Wimbledon Common Windmill.

For weeks, l have been looking for a particular fungus, which is probably the most recognised mushroom in the British Isles. It is called Fly Agaric but we call it the Fairy Toadstool!! Then, to-day we saw hundreds of them. I was in 7th heaven.

The first one l saw had been picked and put on the stairs at the start of the walk! I was very cross because l keep seeing picked fungi just thrown away or stood upon by human feet. We encountered, a few minutes later, a couple who had found it and put it on the wall. Funny thing was, the young guy lives in the same flats as me!

 A few feet away I saw this one; I was so happy, even though it isn't whole.

 Oh wow...fairy land..wonder where the fairies are?

 I was amazed to see so many of these beautiful fungi....a real find.

I wonder what started to eat this one.......?

 This one looks different but l am sure it is the same.

 Story book images.

 Can you see the heart shaped bite on this one? so cute!

 Real woodland image l think.

This next image showed me for the first time, the way that the yellow/orange colour is actually in the flesh, not just a stain on the top layer.

 This fungus seems to be a brownish/orange top rather than reddish. It may be called "Blusher" but I am still checking.

Then l came across this one just starting it's journey into the light.

These are the other types l found, still trying to find out their names and l will add the correct names when, hopefully, I discover them!

I don't know the name of this one but it looks like an ape's paw/hand. Errie!

As we were walking on the Common, we came across an area where many Silver Birch Trees had been chopped down. We did wonder why as they didn't appear to be rotten. The image below made us laugh and think, as usual, Health and Safety had gone too far yet again.......!

Just before you reach The Windmill, you come across a water trough which has been placed here for the cattle and horses of the Common .

 The next image shows you The Wimbledon Windmill itself..

I am still looking up the names of the following fungi..please be patient!!

I think this next image is called Leucocoprinus cretaceus.

I think the next image really shows you how this fungus bursts out of the tree! Amazing! I believe this to be called..Birch Polypore. My goodness l have huge respect for people who can name all these fungi! Believe me it is NOT easy.

This one hopefully is called Tawny Grisette. It is in a Birch Tree area of the Common, so at least thats a start!

This one looks like water when mixed with oil..beautiful but slimy! They are called Birch Knight, l think.

This next image is not a very good one but the fungus itself fasinated me. It was quite difficult to photograph being SO white. It looked as if it had exploded and left bits all over the place but it is not the exploding kind. I think they were bits left behind from hungry animals taking bits away!

This next image of fungi on a tree maybe Exidia Recisa.

There were loads of people out and about on this glorious day, yet we didn't feel over-crowded on the Common. This family were feeding the ducks but what l overheard made me giggle. The child was about 10 months and the father was giving him bread to feed the ducks. The child had different ideas...he kept trying to feed the bread to dad! Lots of giggles!

 Just a beautiful place to sit and think...

The last of Day 2 images in paris!

More of day 2...are you sure you are not bored by now? At least you can turn the machine off when bored, instead of the old days when you were stuck in some-one's house seeing ALL their amazing holiday snaps!!!!
Notre Dame was on yesterday's blog and this next image shows you the amazing walk-way at the top of the Cathedral. Would love to do this walk, next time we are in Paris, it must have a wonderful view of the surrounding area.

I noticed this very stylish young couple outside Notre Dame. The woman was wearing a bowler hat and I think they were German!

This is a familiar sight in and around Paris..Romanian beggars and believe me, they are VERY aggressive! Be warned when visiting!

The next image still makes me smile. It was some repair work begin carried out on one of the many bridges over the River Seine. The way the scaffolding has been put up, makes me think it could be an Art Installation!

As we were walking down a small side street, l happened to look up and see this very colourful window. It belonged to a cafe and this was their kitchen window, where they kept their spices and lentils. If l hadn't looked up, l would have missed it, as l am only 5ft 2inchs tall and this window was at least 6ft off the pavement!! All l can say is, the chef must have been very tall to reach those jars!!     

We had been told by our daughter Jenny, that we had to go and visit this shop called Shakespeare and Company. It is owned by a guy who is l think is around 91 years of ages and he lives above the shop. It is open from 12 pm till 12 am every day of the year, including Christmas Day! He allows aspiring writers to sleep and work on the premises free and they give some of their time for free. It is just overflowing with books and atmosphere!

 A small part of the shop, it is all nooks and crannies, many flights of stairs and a piano!

The  man himself!

One of the many beds that are all over the shop. I am not sure l would want to sleep here..bit creepy at night, l would have thought!

After leaving the shop, we walked along the Seine and came across this bridge which had great stone "heads" and also a flood measuring pole!!!

Underneath this bridge were many arches and in mosty of them there was a matteress and some belonging, which seemed to belong to homeless people. Not the nicest place to live, cold and very damp.

 See...l can find fungi every where! Both the next two images were taken down by the Seine.

This next image shows you a few of the many barges that are on the Seine. Can you see the car on the right-hand barge?

This last image for the 2nd day in Paris, is a "see through" policeman's security box. You see them all over the town, outside Police Stations and places of importance. Much better than a solid wooden one don't you think?

Day three next.......