Christmas Scenes: Hampstead Heath

Bill writes: As that old cooped-up-in-the city feeling has been stealing up on us again lately, we took the Underground this afternoon to Hampstead for a long walk round the heath.

First up is a bit of literary history we encountered on our approach to the heath. Here is the house responsible for the most evil character in Bond lore. I'll give you a hint: "Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die." Ian Fleming hated this house, its architecture, and the architect who designed it. The house is at Number 2 Willow Road, located just before the heath, and housed the modernist architect Erno Goldfinger. Fleming so despised the architect's work that he named his new villain Auric Goldfinger.



Inside the heath, there was still snow on the ground, but the sky was clear, and everyone was either out for a walk to the top of Parliament hill.



Or flying a kite (or three) once they'd reached the top.



And here is why there there will always be an England, and a quintessentially British wit. All along the path were benches, invariably memorialized with plenty of sentiment for departed family members. Then there was this one (which you may want to click to enlarge).