2 A forage in the foilage

Yay. I can strike another "to do" off my list. I trooped down to Hampstead Heath after Endo lecture today, after a lunch of mushy pea soup and tuna toast. As Hampstead was off my map, I had to rely on my sense of direction - or what little is there of it. The moment I stepped out of Hampstead tube, I didn't know whether to turn left or right. I gamely took a left turn, which although it eventually brought me to the Heath, was the longer route. It was a blessing in disguise, because the route was very scenic. Pretty English houses and fresh air!

Pictures at the Heath:

At the top of Parliament Hill, the highest point of the Heath!

Shortly after this photo was taken, I got lost. This heath is not your Singapore Botanic Gardens where every 100m you get a location map. There were so many paths - both paved and unmade - and just trees all around. Initially I saw it as an opportunity to "explore" the area, but as time passed and as the sun rapidly sank into the horizon, I started to get a bit scared. The temperature got colder and the wind picked up speed, and yet I was still wandering aimlessly. As long as I saw people around, I figured I was still on the right track; I just had to get an exit. Eventually I tried my luck and tailed two people, where they unknowingly saved my life! I think I was wandering about for about an hour? Phew.

Taken while lost in the woods.

Hampstead Heath kind of reminded me of Primrose Hill, except it was far more extensive and had a "wilderness" feel to it. Although green spaces are abound in central London (all the various Parks), they have this commercialzed, artificial feel with its landscaped trees etc. What Hampstead offered was raw and natural.

Since I was in the vicinity, I had planned to do some grocery shopping the Finchley branch of Waitrose. Here's what I returned with:

Heritage (fortyfold) potatoes! (no more bean soup), wild sockeye salmon (1/3 off), mushroom stir-fry, russet apple, taylors gold pear, sharon persimmons, house-brand soy milk.
Waitrose is far more affordable than Whole Foods. When I visit Waitrose, I'll usually walk away with something; when I visit Whole Foods, I go away empty-handed!