Goodbye W6

We’re leaving. Our time in this little corner of west London has been far too short. We were settled and happy but have to move on.

This place has been a surfeit of riches for photographic inspiration, from the very fabric of Brackenbury’s old houses, the pub on our doorstep and of course Ravenscourt Park, which I’ve captured through the seasons.

Actually, we’re not going far at all. It’s a change of postcode, not country, and no doubt we’ll pop back regularly. But you have to live and breathe a neighbourhood to feel part of its fabric.

Our new place in the world will no doubt provide fresh material for my camera lens. Until then, here’s a brief homage to this slither of London W6.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

: The very fabric of the neighbourhood in all its electic glory

: The first shots with my macro lens were taken in Ravenscourt Park

: Our Victorian house caught on my Soviet Zenit film camera for posterity

: A salmon pink summer sky over our street

: A Mimosa blooming in a nearby street

: An evening at the local pub, the humming heart of the community

: A storm-ravaged tree in the park, which has recovered

: WIngate Road’s delightful pastel houses

: Decline and autumn colour in Ravenscourt’s walled garden

: The sturdy railings in front of our house

: The pub across the road

: A neighbourhood building subtly captured on film

: The first flush of geraniums outside our window

: Proud but dessicated lavender as winter approaches in Ravenscourt

: The navy blue of our local pub at close quarters

: Smudged and dark – the brick of our house

: Colourful Wingate Road

Tags: Anglesea Arms, Brackenbury, bricks, geraniums, Hammersmith, London, mimosa, moving house, nature, nostalgia, photography, Ravenscourt Park, W6, Zenit shots

35 thoughts on “Goodbye W6”

ehpem on October 5, 2014 at 16:54 said:

“you have to live and breathe a neighbourhood to feel part of its fabric” – very nicely put. And it takes a lot of breathing and living to get to that point. I have found that doing some of it through a camera helps with the attending to the details of the fabric and thus with merging into it. I expect you will be out in your new neighbourhood discovering it through a lens. And, I hope there is a good pub nearby.

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 5, 2014 at 17:00 said:
  
  Quite right, the camera lays down some of those details. I’ve been elsewhere on photo trips since moving, but my eye has noted some of the fabric here.
  
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John on August 14, 2014 at 19:11 said:

So, moving is a pain (the physical part, boxing, carrying, lugging); but, it can be a joy (new home, new memories). May your move be less painful, and more joyous! Good luck …

…..I’m sure there are great pics to come.

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 17, 2014 at 15:10 said:
  
  Johh, thank you very much for your kind and wise words. Th lugging is all done with, some teething problems to see to, but it’s home. Next part is to get and and cast my photographic eye over the new neighbourhood.
  
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jdtphotography.co.uk on August 10, 2014 at 18:33 said:

Hope the move goes well and the wine is on ice at your new place.

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 19:08 said:
  
  Thank you James, I appreciate your good wishes. I hope all is well at your end too (former hurricanes notwithstanding!)
  
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  - jdtphotography.co.uk on August 10, 2014 at 20:46 said:
    
    Good to hear and all is well this end.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 17, 2014 at 15:05 said:
      
      Always good to hear, James :)
      
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RobynG on August 10, 2014 at 16:16 said:

As always, Mike, a superb set of images! Good luck on your move today!

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 16:22 said:
  
  Thank you kindly, Robyn. I look forward to sharing some of the sights from my new ‘hood soon :)
  
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First Night Design on August 10, 2014 at 16:03 said:

I’m sad to hear this but I’m sure your next post code will prove just as inspiring. Good luck with the move!

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 16:05 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Sarah. My eyes will be opened anew over there, hopefully.
  
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ckponderings on August 10, 2014 at 13:28 said:

On the move again?! :) Some great times in your old place, and some fantastic photo opportunities… The new pad and stomping ground sound lovely! :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 13:32 said:
  
  Unfortunately our flat was sold somewhat unexpectedly :( But you’re right, Richard, the new place is fresh territory and a whole load more fodder for the camera!
  
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  - ckponderings on August 10, 2014 at 13:35 said:
    
    Ah, right… Fair enough! :(
    
    Good to look forward, though.. Onward and upward! :)
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 13:39 said:
      
      I was always a proud European-syle renter, but am beginning to see the security of ownership… shame about the cost in London! But that’s the spirit :) Thanks Richard.
      
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Cos on August 10, 2014 at 10:15 said:

I’m looking forward to the photos of your new neighbourhood! Good luck with moving to your new home!

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 10:17 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Koos :) The new area isn’t at all far away, but it’s still new.
  
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  - Cos on August 10, 2014 at 10:30 said:
    
    And the new house? Is it beautiful?
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 12:34 said:
      
      It’s a nice newly-refurbished flat with two levels… different to this one! We think it will suit us well.
      
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      - Cos on August 10, 2014 at 14:37 said:
        
        It sounds like more space and lots of freshness!
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 14:45 said:
        
        Yes, some roof space living :)
        
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leecleland on August 10, 2014 at 09:29 said:

Great little series on W6. Looking forward to the new area and what develops there. Love the pastel houses of Wingate Road, a very different look to London.

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 09:31 said:
  
  Hello Lee, thank you as ever. Yes, the pastel houses are a wonderful sight even in the poorest of weather, such as today when the remains of a hurricane are passing over us. I already have my beady eye on the Greek Orthodox church which is a few steps away from the new place :)
  
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  - leecleland on August 10, 2014 at 09:35 said:
    
    Interested in what you come up with. Best wishes for your move, may the rain stay away :)
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 09:45 said:
      
      Thank you! It’s really pelting down at the moment… please move out into the North Sea – the forecast for tomorrow is favourable at least.
      
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      - leecleland on August 10, 2014 at 10:31 said:
        
        Oh, send that rain our way. We are having the driest winter (make that year) in 11 years where I live. Melbourne is having rain, more than they would like and they are NOT sharing :)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 12:36 said:
        
        Oh that’s no surprise! That must be a worry with the ever-present threat of fire.
        
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        leecleland on August 10, 2014 at 22:14 said:
        
        Yes, fire season was declared 1 Aug. very, very early this year. Everything is just so dry. Hope the move went well and the rain did decide to stay away.
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on August 17, 2014 at 15:09 said:
        
        Any chance there have been some rain in the last week? The move was fine, still a fair list of things to work through, including getting WiFi. But there’s a nearby public signal which usable – could have prepared and published a post. Ah well…
        
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        leecleland on August 18, 2014 at 08:12 said:
        
        Yea! Rain at last, on Sat we received 55mm (nearly 2″) overnight so Sunday I was out and about looking at creeks and dripping wet things. So lovely.
        Glad you’re in and settling, fine tuning a new place is always interesting :)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on August 20, 2014 at 10:44 said:
        
        Oh good news! I hope the search for newly wet items was fruitful – I’m going to have a look now :)
        
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        leecleland on August 18, 2014 at 08:13 said:
        
        Meant to add – water back in the creek so a shot tomorrow (Tues).
        
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dianaed2013 on August 10, 2014 at 08:48 said:

Love the collage which gives a feel of the place – don’t know this part of London but will put it on my list. The bricks work especially well for me

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 10, 2014 at 08:51 said:
  
  Thank you Diana. I went a bit cuckoo photographing all those bricks! It’s a nice corner of town, but we have to move on (although not far at all).
  
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