Sun with cupped hands

Clifford Road has been a surprisingly rich source of my photographs over the years and this sun with cupped hands plaque is another one.

Some quick research tells me that plaques similar to this are readily available but I have not found anything that explains the symbolism, if there is any. These are advertised as bird feeders or as hangers so it may be that the hands are just a functional feature and do not imply any meaning. They look welcoming none the less and the plaque is a welcome diversion from the uniform brick in the road.

Work to do in Wates Estate

Wates Estate still confuses me but I think this refurbishment project is in one of the spurs in Breamwater Gardens. What is more obvious is that major work is being done here. An obvious clue is that the tiles on the front of the house have been carefully removed and placed in the garden ready to go back up. 

What is less obvious is that this house has moved quite a bit, as have many houses in Wates Estate, and this can be seen in the upper window, the top left corner of which has drifted a few centimetres from its original position against the wall.

No parking opposite this gate

The request is reasonable (Sudbrook Lane is narrow) and the sign is notable. I am intrigued by the font which has exaggerated serifs on letters like "T" and "E" but more modest ones elsewhere.

Autumn colours

I really was not going to post another picture of autumn colours year then I walked into Sudbrook Gardens and was entranced by these leaves.

Close up the colours are even more subtle and varied. 

New project in Church Road

This is the (former?) home of the vicar of St Andrew's Church which is clearly having a lot done to it. So far the signs are good with little material change to the look of the building, and that look is worth preserving.

If I am reading the map correctly then the building is in Ham Common Conservation Area having been added in the 2007 revision. Mind you, the original Ham Glebe was also in the Conservation Area and that was demolished.

Window boxes in Sandy Lane

This window box can be found next to the former Ham Village Centre (Royal Oak) in Sandy Lane and it is so impressive that I have deliberately posted a second photograph of it. 

A year on and the plants have matured a little to provide even more greenery and the view from slightly further away shows how striking the plants are against the large white surround.

It is the prettiest thing in Sandy Lane.

Crash barriers

There is much banter on Nextdoor, and elsewhere, between motorists, cyclists, joggers and pedestrians with each blaming another group for poor behaviour and so I am delighted to provide some further evidence of motorists' culpability. The petrol station on Ham Parade has installed prominent crash barriers at either end of the line of pumps because for too many people manoeuvring a car into position is too difficult.

Obvious extension

Many of this type of house have been extended to the side but few as obviously as this one in Murray Road. They have done a good job in extending the roof, in matching the windows and in matching the brick styling above the garage door and below the window but the new bricks are just too different in colour blend to in.

That said, I am glad that they did not render or paint over the bricks to hide the difference as some have been tempted to do.