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What a delight is Pitshanger Lane in sunshine!

My afternoon trip today from Heston to Temples Pharmacy to have my 2nd jab (AstraZ) was a delight.Firstly coming up Northfield Avenue and seeing the large allotment site busy with gardeners tending there plots with an array of decorated sheds (men's sheds?) scattered around.The busy open air market at Ealing Broadway made me want to get off the bus...but I had to press on for my 4pm appointment.Charming volunteers at Temples put me in extra good spirits.What a selection of pavement coffee bars to choose from.Sitting outside Cinnamons and watching the Ealing world go by. Lots of big cars! Scooters and families enjoying sunshine and the wide pavement.After the coffee and snack it was time to try out the long line of wooden benches (we don't have them in enough places) and admire the shop fronts. Some displays were corkers.Blimey Ealing there were attractive litter bins every 40 yards or so as well..no wonder pride oused. I actually caught a tan sitting on those benches. .so my apartment mates said. I couldn't tell them that I've been for a jab as they are all anti the pandemic and refuse the jabs!So thank you Ealing for the outdoor treat today.

Jim Lawes ● 181d17 Comments

Thank you Simon and Bettina. I'll now be better informed on my next trip.I presume Samrat will have a plaque recording that takeaway delivery to Kensington Palace. I recall that Prince Charles was a fan and sometime visitor to another "Ealing" curry house....the Brilliant Restaurant in Western Road! Pictures everywhere there.Proud owner.So Peter Crouch lived down the road and schooled at Drayton Manor. (I recall playing cricket against them back in the 1950s.)I must promply follow that recommendation and visit the Duke of Kent pub garden.Hang on...Kent Gardens? Isn't that where Dusty Springfield lived once?

Jim Lawes ● 176d

Peter Crouch’s favourite restaurant is the Samrat in Pitshanger Lane. He ordered food from it when he visited Kensington Palace to visit Prince William who is President of the FA.

Bettina Margaret Thwaite ● 177d

Read his autobiography How to be a Footballer, of which there are two volumes. A good read.

Simon Hayes ● 177d

That's an interesting link with Pitshanger Lane Simon.Peter Crouch a local? I gather he was born in Ealing (where?) and had an association in recent times with  Prince William and a curry house in Pitshanger Lane?Well...what do you know?

Jim Lawes ● 177d

Peter Crouch spent a lot of time in the park there as a kid, honing the skills that turned him into a professional footballer and England international. Not sure if he ever did his robot dancing there though.

Simon Hayes ● 178d

I'm sad to hear that Rosco...but it seems fine now. No Bank on the Parade though?When I next hear a football commentator say that so an' so has mostly spent the season on the bench...I'll immediately think of Pitshanger Lane!

Jim Lawes ● 178d

A pity that there aren't more estates like the Brentham one.A shame it wasn't repeated a lot more.  It is a much better living environment than a tower, has  mix of dwelling sizes and amenity space.

Philippa Bond ● 178d

Quite a transformation over the years with Pitshanger Lane.Back in the late 70s/early 80s it was a right dump.IMHO of course!

Rosco White ● 178d

Peter: I promise not to use the "V" word and I apologise for this delayed reply.Not sure whether that's two days of feeling knackered after my Pitshanger Lane 2nd jab or because of a long winded cheese and port Party celebrating my 82nd.But it' a pleasure to have recovered this evening.Recalling the trip to PL I keep thinking of those line of welcoming benches and the pavement tables.I recall the PL Plaque...remember? "London's best in the Great British High Street Competition" (not a "v" in sight.I've never been to the "Duke of Kent" although we share the same hairdressers!And then there's the Church with those Classical Music concerts. I must return...so easy on the E2.. and I somehow fit in..resting on those benches!

Jim Lawes ● 178d

Peter: I promise not to use the "V" word and I apologise for this delayed reply.Not sure whether that's two days of feeling knackered after my Pitshanger Lane 2nd jab or because of a long winded cheese and port Party celebrating my 82nd.But it' a pleasure to have recovered this evening.Recalling the trip to PL I keep thinking of those line of welcoming benches and the pavement tables.I recall the PL Plaque...remember? "London's best in the Great British High Street Competition" (not a "v" in sight.I've never been to the "Duke of Kent" although we share the same hairdressers!And then there's the Church with those Classical Music concerts. I must return...so easy on the E2.. and I somehow fit in..resting on those benches!

Jim Lawes ● 178d

Yes sorry, not sure why I thought Brentham had that tag.I’m 99% sure of the signs in Pitshanger  though, but will check tomorrow as got that  seed of doubt.Brentham is lovely, the house styles, you are very lucky

Peter Yale ● 179d

I've lived on the Brentham Estate for 38 years and have NEVER heard it described as being part of a village before. There's an estate agent in the Lane that put up the description a few years ago now, dare I say to push up the price of houses they are selling.

peter king ● 179d

Can I ask respectfully what the objection to village is?Isn’t  Brentham Estate described as a village.As you enter Pitshanger the council have put up signs naming it as such(Although that means nothing as they do as they like, LTNs etc)

Peter Yale ● 179d

I do appreciate where Peter is coming from, but living just off Pitshanger Lane it really is redolent of a village atmosphere.,I can go to get the paper in the morning & not return for an hour having come across several people who chat to me. You can see this up & down the Lane. Most people know most people. When I did my knee in several years ago ( this was before online shopping) the fruit & veg shop got together an order I phoned through and popped it around to me after they closed, no extra charge. Same with some other shops.

Bettina Margaret Thwaite ● 179d

Just don't ever refer to it as Pitshanger Village please! There's enough estate agent talk to last a lifetime and the extra fees for them selling something that sounds rural

peter king ● 181d

Glad you got your 2nd jab and had such a good day as well. Agree about Pitshanger Lane, great place to spend time, with loads of great places to visit, especially after a walk in the park. The garden of the Duke of Kent is also a great option. Put me in mind to have a walk up there this week especially with all the sun and support some great local businesses.

Harry Simmons ● 181d

I'm glad you had such a good experience, Jim. Bit worried about your flat mates, though.

Susan Kelly ● 181d