ENGLAND AND ITS SQUIRRELS

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

It is not just the four seasons that a country like England can offer you as they have adorable animals too, wherever you go. They will follow you around so you better keep your eyes on them!

When I first came here in England, I visited a few places nearby my address such as graveyard, church and parks. I enjoyed the warm weather while exploring these places and I saw a few wild animals who behaved like domesticated pets.

I was very happy and stunned to see the squirrels up-closed as this type of rodents in my beloved Philippines are keep in cages in the zoo; not to mention you need to pay for the entrance fee before you can see them closely.

If you are happy to see these rodents they can sense it and they will even follow you around unless you dispel them. They are not just animals that will make us happy and astonish with their natural behaviour as they have contribution to our ecosystem too. One of the greatest contributions is their collecting and eating of nuts; most of the fallen seeds germinates, thus grows naturally in the wilderness.

This rodent lives down beneath the ground like rabbits or cling on the branches of trees like birds; either cool or dry. And they have the ability to climb, crawl or even fly just to pick and eat seeds that sustain their energy.

Squirrels are the nicest and cutest animals that you can play with using your hands as you can easily fool them!

THE GROVE IN CARSHALTON, SURREY

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Fresh water flows in the river while birds feed and paddle around. Squirrels were determined to crack the collected nuts fallen from the trees and given by happy people in the park.

 

There are no signs of fear in their eyes as no one tries to hunt or threaten their lives. Swans, geese, ducks, seagulls, pigeons and the like give life to the entire public park, where the River Wandle runs. It serves as there green home where some of them live and multiply. These animals are amazingly tame and will follow you if you carry a bag of crumbs.

  (Summer/Spring picture of River Wandle) 

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of River Wandle ) 

There is a historical house in the park that is now occupied by departments of the London Borough of Sutton. A few working offices are there too. The park is enclosed by walls and fences and its gates close at night and open early in the morning. The west corner has a large river which attracts geese and swans etc. Moreover, looking from the river is the Old Woodman Pub and to its right is the Ancient All Saints' Parish Church.

(Top to Bottom, Clockwise: Summer/Spring pictures of Historical house, Old Woodman Pub and
All Saints' Parish Church)

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of Historical house, Old Woodman Pub and All Saints' Parish Church)

This park which run adjacent to Carshalton High Street has a few interesting man made structures like the white bridge called Leoni Bridge, the discarded watermill and the ornamental design cascade. 

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Leoni Bridge and the Cascade)

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of Defunct Watermill and the Cascade)

The park has fixed benches to use when watching the placid water and playful birds. Grasses are mown every week that makes the entire surrounding neat and tidy. The roses are pruned back and the bedding plants are ready to burst into colours. Toddlers, children and teenagers like this park as there are playgrounds full of facilities they can enjoy using for free. Food and snacks are available at the cafeteria beside the toddlers' playground.

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Toddler and Children's playgrounds) 

 

 
(Autumn/Winter pictures of Teenagers ball court and Toddler & Children's playgrounds)

If you want a light snacks and bites take a walk to SaSSiS which is inside the park and beside the family friendly crazy golf playground. On the other hand, there is also a free gym equipment provided by The Great Outdoor Gym Company await for you. The easy-to-use gym equipment are good for burning calories or for strengthening those brittle bones, sore muscles and aching joints of yours.

 (SaSSiS and Crazy Golf Playground)

  

(Hip Twister, The Rider, Push-up/Dip Station and Air Skier)

CARSHALTON PARK

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Carshalton High Street has 2 parks closed by to choose from and just a few minutes walk away.

I want to hear the placid flow of the river while watching the birds float and enjoy the inquisitive behaviour of squirrels who are keen to follow people, who have food for them. This mixed atmosphere is shown at The Grove Park. The other... LOL!!!

One of the ways to achieve a fit and sexy body is to exercise in the morning and a balanced diet . Am I right, ladies?

It has 7 entryways...

Carshalton Park is the ideal green open space to take a morning exercise like jogging or running. It has a wide hole in front of the main gate that was excavated some years ago and it is now just left, a relic from the past. I am curios about the hole that resembles a crater and why there it has never been beautified. Aside from the hole that isn't use for good at all, there's also a canal filled with stagnant, dirty water. It is located on the left part of the park and probably, it was a useful water way for the village before.

 

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Wide Hole and Canal)  

 

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of Wide Hole and Canal)

Carshalton Park is a good place to jog or to play command games with your dog. It has a number of old majestic chestnut trees planted way back when it was a Royal Park. Generally, the surroundings make an inviting place for contemplation and relaxation as its rarely crowded. The quiet is only occasionally interrupted by cries of, ' chase the ball, Fido '.

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Chesnut Trees)  

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of Chesnut Trees)

It has a tennis court for people who want to follow the popularity of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the sport's world. As it is a family friendly park, a toddler's playground is built to make it more appealing for parents and kids to visit the place. A few improvements were constructed to make sure of kids safety while playing around with their families, this includes rubberised mattings around the swing area.

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Tennis Court and Toddler's Playground)
 

  (Autumn/Winter pictures of of Tennis Court and Toddler's Playground)

A few months ago, an urban outdoor gym was installed by Sutton Council using the council’s Carshalton & Clockhouse Committee’s public realm budget at this park. The free and easy-to-use gym equipment was provided by The Great Outdoor Gym Company which includes the following:

Benches or oblique machine for protecting your back and improving your posture;
Cross-trainer, treadmill or bike for your joints, muscles and heart/blood vessels; 

Lat pull-down machines or pull-up bars for strengthening your lats and will also give you a good bicep workout and

Leg press machine which is excellent for toning the lower body muscles

In general, Carshalton park offers peace and a fresh 'green' air to breath!