It is some years since Tommy Steele moved away from Montrose House in Petersham but most locals still refer to the sharp bend on the Petersham Road by his former house as Tommy Steele Corner. Until recently views of the rear garden were protected from curious people on the upper deck of the 65 bus by a border of high trees but now they have all gone.
Once they have lost their leaves, the strange shapes that some trees make is exposed for all to see. Here a newer branch is growing up in defiance of the contorted route taken by its neighbours.
I am taking quite a few pictures of Ham Common Woods at the moment so that I can remind myself of what it looked like after all the "restoration" work has been completed. It is the grass at the bottom of the picture that is being restored at the expense of trees and bushes.
Deep in the heart of Ham Common Woods is a small clearing that had some work done on it a few years ago that left a few logs on the ground, one of which has attracted a rather interesting purple fungus.
As trees are felled and trimmed in Ham Common Woods, just to "improve" the view of the church, these unnatural piles of logs are appearing as evidence of the destruction. Healthy trees do not rot very quickly so these reminders will be there to haunt us for many years to come.
One of the hidden treasures in Ham Lands is Petersham Lodge Woods that occupies a small area next to River Lane. There are no paths through it so there is no reason to go in there unless, like me, you just like exploring places. And one of the ways out is via these steps.
This oak is one of the many trees that is being removed from the section of Ham Common Woods bounded by Upper Ham Road, Ham Farm Road, Church Road and St Andrew's Church, so that the grassland can be "restored".
The late autumn sun brings a sharp contrast to the trees, fence and gate by Douglas Footpath.
I watched the river reclaim the flood plain in front of Ham House for a fascinating 20 minutes or so and even with the sluice gates closed the water swept from the pipe at almost walking pace dragging fallen leaves along with it.
I am not a fan of the sluice gates by Ham House, as they prevent the normal flooding of that part of Ham Lands, but they do provide a brief joyous burst of motion and noise when the tide is high.
Ivy House and Ivy Cottage, on the east side of Ham Common, are appropriately named but the difference between the two becomes clear at this time of the year as the two ivies prepare for winter.
Ham Children's Centre, which provides a range of social, heath and education services to families with children, has just opened in Ashburnham Road, next to St Richards with St Andrews Primary School.
