Saturday 27 November 2010

Peckham: love and loathing


For some it inspires fear and loathing, but many of us love Peckham. We love its vibrancy. Its energy… craziness… diversity… humour. But, I confess that a stroll down Rye Lane is not always a walk in the park. It can be confrontational. So, if I’m feeling less than resilient, I go to one of the other nearby haunts: East Dulwich, Nunhead or Forest Hill where the pace is more sedate. And it’s rare to see a murder poster in a window with nets.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Let us give thanks


It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow. Although an American celebration, it has infiltrated the English calendar of reasons to get together with friends to eat, drink and make merry. And what better way to mark it than with a delicious pumpkin pie. Yummy. These gorgeous pumpkins were arrayed on a stall in Borough Market. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday 18 November 2010

Let them eat cake


I was walking down Rye Lane in Peckham when a bird winged past me and into a Caribbean bakery. I followed the bird in and photographed it as it helped itself to delicious ginger cake crumbs. The staff of the bakery were utterly unperturbed and just looked on. Once the bird had eaten its fill, it flew back to the street. Later I identified it as a Pied Wagtail (with one sore foot).

Thursday 11 November 2010

Mummy!


It was dusk when I met this lady at the bus-stop on Rye Lane in Peckham. ‘Goodnight,’ she called to a young guy hurrying by. Then, she turned to me and said, ‘I’m his mummy. I’m mummy to them all.’ ‘All?’ I said. ‘One hundred and eight four of them.’ ‘One hundred and eight four?’ ‘Yes,’ she said 184 Afghan boys.’ She showed me her hand. ‘And they look after me!’ She flashed a gold ring. These ‘boys’ run stalls and shops in Peckham… a long way from home and mummy.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

On London Underground, the saddest thing is the unrequited love


opposing seats

she looked

he peeked

she gazed

he glanced

she dreamed of

a life

he dreamed of

a wife

the train pulled in

and

she got off