“…in the park again, and green faeries, tiny as toothpicks, buzzed among the red flowers.”  Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare.

Total Distance Travelled: 358.30kms;   Days to holiday: 308

I like cycling around Battersea Park.  Not just because it’s a smaller loop than Hyde Park or because the ground is flatter, but because it’s a happening place.  There’s always something happening, something quirky to come by and see. 

Yesterday evening, as luck would have it, I came across A Walk for Life Charity walk.  I had no idea it was taking place or that it would start in Battersea Park.  Despite  currently living/staying in London, I don’t actually follow what’s happening around, so I often miss out, but equally often just randomly come across quirky things.   Yesterday was all about the charity walkers, with their colourful illuminated necklaces and sticks, and dogs on a leash with illuminated collars.  

On another evening I came across a lady walking her little sausage dog. It was, as the dachshund breeds are, little; and this one was quite dark in colour.  The little pooch was keeping in the shadows, sniffling through the peripheries of the shrubbery.  All I could see initially was this little line of illumination bobbing around; my first thought, was that it was rat that got itself tangled in stolen a glow stick and was dragging it around.  It was only when I got closer I realised there was an owner walking near by and then I saw the outline of a little dog. 

Then few nights ago, I came across all those huge catering and facilities trucks that film companies use on location.  Not a clue what was being filmed, but clearly something, in an around the area of the Park. 

Last night, a chap was training his little dog.  I say little – it was about a size of a Border Collie, but looked more like a German Shepherd.  Most likely a cross-breed or some lesser known breed of dog, that I do not recognise.  This little pooch owned a good human, who clearly looked after it both in body and mind. The guy was training the dog to sit, lie, jump, and roll-over – all done with just a flick of a hand and few soft words.  I could not help but smile as I cycled past them.  You don’t often see owners so well behaved, taking such good care and providing so much beneficial stimuli to their four-legged friends. 

Quirky people and their friends aside – Battersea Park is full of other entertainment too, which keeps visitors on its premises till late in the evening.  There is the pond and cafes, as well tennis courts, football pitches and a Children’s zoo.  All in what is a fairly confined, but well laid-out area.  All of this makes for a far more entertaining and pleasant place to cycle.  It does also mean that in the evenings, unlike Hyde Park which is not as well lit and feels, well – scary at times; Battersea Park feels a lot a safer.   There are others cyclists in the evening, not too many, as well as late-evening-joggers doing loops around the park’s circumference. 

Yes, I like cycling around Battersea Park, even if it makes my training sessions feel a bit of a cheat.