Meandering Musings #1

I am watching youtube videos of London. It seems like the crowds are thicker than they were in early summer. Today I watched videos of Portobello Road and Deptford, known for markets and navy dockyards, respectively.

There are so many market trinkets I would love to look at on Portobello Road, it is much busier than I remember. I remember looking at trinkets of Peter Rabbit and other Beatrix Potter paraphernalia.  The shop owner was surprised when I asked if I could take a picture.

Watching Antiques Roadshow repeats on BBC, I could not believe it when Churchill’s hat and letters were found by a binman. My imagination lights up thinking about all the things one can find, even in the garbage. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

A mudlark – someone who scavenges in river mud for valuable items - can dig around the Thames, not knowing what they will find. Although one barely has to dig, mudlarks are only allowed to dig 7.5 centimetres deep, must obtain a permit and if they find anything that could be of value, and must report their findings to the Portable Antiquities Scheme. According to a New York Times article, if you find hoards of coins over 300 years old you have to inform the Government. Failing to do so could lead to jail time.

The Deptford dock was established by King Henry 8^th and was the administrative centre for the navy. Queen Elizabeth I knighted Sir Francis Drake there, Peter the Great learned about shipbuilding in the area and Captain James Cook docked there.  

If you look closely enough while walking, you may also find railings made from second world war stretchers, or you can look for them on the trusty map the Stretcher Railing Society created.

If you have some time, visit these YouTube channels and watch some of their videos.