Blue doors

My wanders through Ham take me to some less visited places, such as behind the Meadowview blocks of flats in Ashburnham Road. Here I was impressed by the straight lines and the hue of the bricks so was compelled to take this picture.

But, before I posted it I checked whether I had done so before and was disappointed that I had indeed done so, back in 2021.

Then I noticed that the garage doors once brown were now blue so I had a reason to post the picture after all.

Extending The Cottage

I get planning alerts from Richmond Council for applications near me so I was aware that there were proposals for The Cottage on Ham Common and was not surprised to see evidence of work stating there.

New path and more

Now saved from planned demolition, 14 Cedar Heights is being visibly improved. The rather formal path to the front door is perhaps the most obvious change and it is easy to mis that where there are now brown weatherboards there used to be white render.

Two signs

My near obsession with the variety of signs in Ham has somehow overlooked these two in Parkleys, while neither is remarkable the difference between them is interesting and in the competition between the two the upper one wins because of the better colour and use of lowercase.

Clear out

The clutter in the front garden all but obscures the house behind which is clearly having serious work done to it.

Faded sign

There are a few signs like this in Wates Estate which have been rendered meaningless by their faded illegibility. I am not sure if they still apply but there is no enforcement and no attempt has ever been made to dissuade me on my many wanderings through the area

Blocked path

A month ago I was cheering the newish footpath along Church Road, running past the Richmond Chase development, only to find it blocked today by a fallen tree. I have reported it (using FixMyStreet) so I hope that it will be cleared before too long.

Different waters

The turbulent waters racing over the weir are in stark contrast to the almost still waters on the approach to the lock.

First look at Little Orchard

Most of the scaffolding has gone from Little Orchard (on the south-east corner of Sudbrook Lane and Bute Avenue) and as the high wall hides most of the house any judgement must be made on the roof alone, and I think it is a little bland.

I like the chimney with its rendered bands but the rest looks uniform and predictable.

The front of the house may look more interesting. I will have to wait until they have finished worked there and for a view through the gate to find out.