Last week before the weather was set to turn quite violently – it mostly missed London – I decided to take a turn in the park on what was promised to be a bright and sunny Winters day.  It was beautiful, St James’s Park turned out to be everything a girl could hope for.  I took the tube to Green Park and walked through the park of the same name, whereupon I crossed The Mall to enter St James’s Park.  It was the prettiest walk, Buckingham Palace on one side, green parks on the other, the view of The Mall, red London buses and black cabs a plenty.  You knew where you were in the world.

As I entered the park I saw squirrels, I was so pleased.  And then I started to see more squirrels and more and I’d never seen as many fat grey squirrels in one place before, it did make me laugh.  And people had bought nuts and biscuits and were feeding these very friendly and very fat squirrels.

And talk about being bold.

Some were just lunatics in the quest for a tasty morsel.

I must say that this chap happened to remain quite calm, I’m not sure I would have done, but then I know how sharp a squirrels bite can be, having tamed our own fat squirrels that used to live in the Oak tree at the bottom of the garden and their poor eyesight not being able to distinguish between nut and thumb.

These geese were so pretty with their pink feet, quite adorable.

A view of Buckingham Palace at the end of the lake.

And a view of the other end.  And then the object of my affections came into view. The reason I had trekked across London.

Pelicans !!!  What fun to see Pelicans.  There are four Pelicans in St James’s park and they were waiting in the feeding area for their supper.  They were three quarters of an hour early, as was I. 

I can’t tell you just how pleased I am that I have at long last seen the Pelicans in the park.

And one day when its warmer I shall come back and watch them being fed, I suspect there may well be some comedy to that.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying their winter walk.

I found some very pretty ducks – Ruddy Shelducks. 

And some young swans.

Squirrels playing, oblivious to everyone else.

Friendly swans who came over for a chat.

Wonderful views of Horse Guards Parade and the Old Admiralty.

And trees so brightly lit by the sunshine displaying their autumn colours.

Prince of Wales Feathers, swishing and swaying in the fading sunlight.

And pigeons that had hunkered down against the cold wind that had started to bite.

There were more pretty geese.

And one very cute duck.

And some very hungry Coots.

Not to mention some more friendly swans.

There were leaf blowers wIth huge machines, the sight of the leaves being whirled into the air and being caught by the sunlight was glorious.

And then with light fading and feeling a bit chilly it was time to head home.

Bidding a fond farewell to Queen Victoria.  I must say, she has a lovely view.