Alexanders at Camley Street Natural Park

Dear Readers, there was an outage on the Victoria Line this morning which scuppered a visit to my pal S in Walthamstow, so I decided to make the most of it and see what was happening in Kings Cross. This area has transformed out of all recognition over the past few years, from an area that was one of the dodgiest spots in London to somewhere full of chi-chi caffs and high-end dress shops. Still, one thing that has been made over and which supports a whole range of wildlife is Camley Street Natural Park – today there was a small group of primary school children getting very excited over the coot, who was taking reeds to his partner. She was already sitting on the nest, and spent inordinate amounts of time re-arranging everything.

Distant coot!

I’ve written about this place here and here and indeed here, but there’s always something new to admire. This is the first time that I’ve noticed how abundant the Alexanders is – last time I found it, back in 2020, it was growing on a rubbish tip close to Muswell Hill Playing Fields. Well, it’s very at home here, and I was also pleased to see some Fritillaries popping up in the damper spots – not quite a water meadow yet, but lovely nonetheless.

There’s a lot of white blossom about too: I was very surprised to see this hawthorn hedge already in flower. Did no one tell it that it’s also known as Mayflower? Maybe it’s a cultivar…

And there was this pretty little tree – cherry plum maybe?

Anyhow, I decided to have a wander back to the station, to see how the planting was going there. And I was stunned by this  flowering cherry. When the sun came out, it positively scintillated.

And the growth on these trees also sparkled in the sunlight…

So, although I missed meeting up with my friend, it was nice to go for an aimless wander. I couldn’t help noticing how many security guards there were amongst the trees and new buildings. There’s no doubt that this isn’t a place where homeless people congregate any more, most of them having moved to Euston, from whence they will no doubt be moved on again. And this will keep happening,  unless someone does something to actually help solve the multiple problems of access to housing, social and mental health care and addiction that many people have, rather than relocating it to another part of the capital.