by Steve Tanham
For over twenty years, Hampstead, in north London was my ‘business home’ for at least half the working week. I would join the thousands of other workers taking the Northern Line tube into The City.
London, like most large cities, can be overwhelming and a permanent assault on the senses, but I got to make peace with it when I found a budget hotel in the lovely suburb of Hampstead – discovered one summer evening when I was on a long stroll.
I immediately fell in love with its gentle and individual streets and cafes, and its cultured and generally polite residents. Soon, it was a home from home…
We hadn’t been back in a while, so the prospect of a long weekend during which my wife could catch up with her godfather and celebrate her birthday was something to look forward to.
Our first day completed, we walked up from the hotel in Belsize Park to ‘the village’ of Hampstead. The soft summer light was perfect for taking some ‘muted’ shots on the iPhone.
It was all as we remembered: the quirky shops, mysterious gates and general sense of being somehow apart from the rest of the capital.
A coffee at the top of the hill, then we crossed over to take the easier walk back down.
A very happy reunion. The mild summer night helped, and it was noticeably warmer than our home in Cumbria.
©Stephen Tanham 2024
All photos taken and processed on an iPhone 12 ProMax.
Stephen Tanham is a writer-photographer and mystical teacher. He is the founding Director of the Silent Eye, which offers a monthly Zoom-based gathering of companions, each one on their own, unique journey to deeper states of self-realisation.
Sun in Gemini 
Lovely photos hope you both had a lovely time 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Willow. Having a great time! ❤️
LikeLike
excellent
LikeLike
Makes me think of some of the neighborhoods in Boston, MA.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love Boston!
LikeLike
I’m going there in a month! I can hardly wait!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! Make sure you get the tube up to Belsize Park (Northern Line, Edgware Branch) and walk the hill to Hampstead. It’s only a 15 min walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, dear, I mean Boston, Massachusetts, USA. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooops!
LikeLike
Well, I’m sure Boston, MA was named after Boston, England. Like most places in New England bearing names of places in England.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Steve, this sounds like a wonderful visit. Gorgeous photographs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Roberta. If you’ve not explored this part of London, but it on your list 😊
LikeLike
Thank you, Steve, I’ll do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhhhhh nice to see these images of Hampstead thank you..I’m pleased your visit didn’t disappoint as so often happens when we return to a place xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Carol! Have you visited this part of London? Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I have… I only lived about 30 miles from London and have family in that area xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person