An Avenue Of Trees, Cheered Me Up Today
I was feeling a bit down, after the loss of my phone on a train yesterday, as I cam back from Cambridge South station.
After reporting its loss at Liverpool Street station this morning, I thought I might be able to get something I needed at Sainsbury’s in Walthamstow.
To get from Walthamstow Central station to Sainsbury’s I walked along this avenue of trees.
Note.
- It was lovely and cool on a hot day.
- There was a gentle breeze through the trees.
- Halfway along, I chatted to a guy with Indian heritage. He said he liked the trees at Chistmas, when the Council put lights on them.Now surely, that is multiculturalism.
I asked Google AI about the trees and got this reply.
The avenue of mature trees leading from Walthamstow Central Station towards the High Street consists of lime trees. Also locally referred to as Lime Tree Walk, these established trees are well known for soaking up pollution from the adjoining bus and transit areas.
Google AI estimates that the trees are at least a hundred years old.
I believe we should do things like this more often, as it is surely a scientifically-correct way to deal with the pollution of only a few vehicles emitting it.
Out of curiosity, I asked Google AI,”Are we doing research to increase the effectiveness of trees clearing pollution?” and received this reply.
Yes, there is extensive, ongoing scientific research dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of trees at clearing pollution. Studies focus on optimizing urban canopy cover, vegetative barrier design, and microbiome/soil enhancements to maximize both particulate matter (PM) capture and carbon sequestration.
Current research initiatives and findings include:
Vegetative Barriers & Species Traits: Research from the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) has developed a plant selection framework. By evaluating traits like leaf hairs, canopy density, and seasonal leaf retention, they identify highly effective species (such as silver birch, elder, and yew) to act as physical green barriers that trap particulate matter and filter exhaust.
Tree Spacing & Dispersion: Studies on urban street canyons show that sparse or dense tree spacing can sometimes trap pollutants if the canopy blocks wind flow. However, “medium spacing” (where the gap between trees is roughly equal to the crown diameter) has been proven to optimize both airflow and particle reduction for pedestrians and cyclists.
Soil & Growth Interventions: Studies like the Glandwr Forest Carbon Study by Imperial College London and The Carbon Community are testing methods to boost young tree growth and carbon sequestration using enhanced rock weathering and microbial enrichment.
Cooling & Air Purification Pathways: Recent findings published in Landscape and Urban Planning highlight that trees reduce particulate pollution (PM10) not just by trapping it on leaves, but also through localized cooling. By mitigating extreme heat, trees promote the natural deposition of suspended particles.
It seems that the good citizens of Walthamstow and the nearby forest, probably achieved a result, that was very much in line with modern research.
Does BYD Stand For Bet On Your Destination?
Today I came back from Walthamstow Sainsbury’s to my home in Hackney, using two BYD electric buses on route W15, a diesel bus on route 488 and a Reliable Routemaster on Route 38.
Both the BYD electric buses stopped short of their final destination.
I also changed early to the 38, so I could have a Diet-Coke in a cafe that looked friendly.
It was!
- As you can see, it was right by a bus stop, where luckily for me, 38 buses called.
- I have written a few posts about the horrid BYD electric buses on route 141, but London shouldn’t be made to suffer an inferior product.
- If Manchester and Leeds can have UK-built buses by Wrightbus, that are delivered as diesel and converted at an appropriate time to zero-carbon, why can’t London and the rest of the country?
London’s fleet of a thousand Routemasters, which were built by Wrightbus, a few years ago, seem to have found a new niche in the world of advertising and I wouldn’t be surprised to see an experimental fleet of zero-carbon Routemasters.
Here’s a few images of Routemaster paint schemes.
I like them. I wonder, if a bus has gone missing to have a special makeover, if England get to the latter stages of the World Cup?
Blackpool North Station Train And Tram Interchange – 6th May 2026
I took these pictures, as I changed between the train and the tram.
Note.
- There is a level step-free subway between train and tram.
- There is a Holiday Inn hotel over the subway.
- There is also a Premier Inn within walking distance.
- There is a black-cab rank at the station.
- The tram is step-free.
- The Sainsburys is a big superstore.
This OpenRailwayMap shows the interchange.
Note.
- The tram tracks are shown in pink.
- The train tracks are shown in orange.
- There appears to be a drop-off loop for passengers.
- Blackpool & Fylde Multiversity seems to be being built behind Sainsburys.
Blackpool must now have one of the best provincial stations in the UK.
Marks And Spencer’s Chicken Kiev Has Been Renamed Chicken Kyiv
I took this picture in Marks and Spencer at Liverpool Street tonight! Note the name!
I didn’t buy one as it isn’t gluten-free.
There have been lots of articles like this one on Birmingham Live, which is entitled Tesco, M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda Under Pressure To Rename Chicken Kievs ‘Kyiv’.
So perhaps, pressure works.
Face Coverings Your Choice
In England from today, you don’t legally have to wear masks.
This notice was on the door of Marks and Spencer at The Angel.
These are the words at the bottom.
Face coverings are not legally required but the Government recommends them in indoor crowded areas. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 please refrain from entering the store.
How sensible!
It will be interesting to analyse the takings of Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsburys as they are all close together on Liverpool Road.
I was standing outside Marks & Spencer, when I took the picture.
Sainsbury’s Now Sell Celias!
I took this picture in the Angel branch of Sainsbury’s.
I only buy the odd bottle these days, as the Adnams Southwold Pale Ale 0.5%, which is available in Marks and Spencer is more to my taste.
United Airlines Introduce My Ideal Flying Class
The respected travelwriter, Simon Calder, on BBC Breakfast, alerted me to this story, which is fully reported in this article on USA Today, which is entitled United adds ‘Basic Economy’ fares with carry-on bag restrictions.
My Carry On Bag
When I flew to Las Palmas recently on easyJet, I did pay for baggage to go in the hold, as I thought I’d be taking more and I don’t have a carry-on bag, that is big enough.
Why is it, that all light carry-on bags seem to have wheels, which is just extra weight and wasted space,. to carry around?
All I want is a light square box with a comfortable handle. My current Mandarina Duck bag is shown in My Packing List.
Since then, I’ve cut down on what I take with me, so I do have a bit more space.
I could therefor easily use a smaller carry-on bag, especially, if I was going to a country I knew well like Germany, Italy,Spain or Poland.
On a more ambitious trip, I could certainly fill a bigger carry-on bag with useful items like lots of M&S Honeycomb Crispies.
But unfortunately, I haven’t found the ideal bag.
- No wheels.
- Small comfortable carry handle.
- No straps.
- Maximum volume to fit carry-on rules.
- Big enough to take a compact SLR and lens.
- Not too many specially-designed feature pockets.
- Secure.
I suspect that some clever American, will be designing the ideal carry-on bag for United’s Basic Economy.
Choosing Seats
I don’t!
This means I usually get an aisle seat, which is ideal for my needs.
- I tend to get a bit stiff sitting for three or four hours, so a walk to the toilet is easy to stretch my legs.
- I inevitably leave something I want in my carry-on bag, so if it’s in the overhead locker, can get it easily.
- I can get on at the last minute and know I can just sneak into my seat.
- I can usually get off easily.
- I can see what’s on the trolley, without reading the menu.
It will all go pear-shaped one day, when I get the dreadful centre seat of three.
My Coat
The picture shows the inside of my warm M & S winter coat.
My Winter Coat
Note the large internal pocket, which is big enough for a thick tabloid newspaper or a paperback book.
The external pockets, also are big enough for my camera, phone and a real hndkerchief.
A Few Travel Tips
Over the years, I have gradually cut down on what I take.
- Take a battery-powered electric toothbrush. The charger of most others takes up too much space.
- Charge phones, cameras and other devices, through a USB lead and just take a USB charger and adapter.
- Don’t take soap or shampoo, or anything the hotel should have.
- As I don’t use sun-screen, I don’t take that either.
- Take perhaps three still-rolled real handkerchiefs, as they have other users, like stylish tablecloths on trains.
- Take a spare SD card for your camera, already unpacked and ready for use.
- On a long trip, I take older socks, knickers and shirts, discarding them, when they get dirty.
- Take at least two credit cards in separate places, in case you lose your favourite.
- Don’t buy anything in duty-free. It only encourages them! And we have to carry it.
- Take a small shoe horn.
- Take an upmarket compact plastic knife/fork/spoon from IKEA, as you never know, when that delicious snack will need it.
- Never take nightwear.
- Take a torch.
- Take one of Sainsbury’s five pence orange shopping bags.
When I used to travel with C, we used to share a lot of things, like jumpers and tee-shirts, as we were of a similar size.
In fact, the last joke she ever said to me, was that I would have difficulty finding someone, to train to my packing habits.
Comclusion
I can’t wait for a European airline to introduce a Basic Economy class.
Marks And Spencer Have Changed My Life
Coming back today, I went to Marks and Spencer in Waterloo station, which although it is not a full stop, must be one of their bigger Simply Food shops in stations.
These pictures sum up the visit.
Some of the products have only been available in the last year or so.
- Chicken Pakoras
- Crisps With Exotic Flavours
- Gluten-Free Gastropub meals.
- Humous
- Kent IPA
- Pasta Salad
- Scotch Eggs
- Snacks Wth Taste
When I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, you were lucky to find anything quick to cook in any shop, except eggs and fish.
What would I like to see now?
- Most ready-meals made gluten-free and labelled as such on the top.
- Ravioli, that is gluten-free.
- Sausages and burgers gluten-free, as in Marks and Sainsburys.
- More gluten-free real beers.
I think it is true to say, that it’s going my way.
Are Sainsburys Winning The Bag War?
Since the five pence charge was introduced for plastic bags in England, there has been very little innovative thinking by shops about how they could use the bags to drag people into their shops.
Summing up the shops I use and the comments of others, I would say this.
- Waitrose – Thin and useless
- Tesco – Thin and useless
- Marks and Spencer – Not too bad!
And then there’s Sainsburys!
A Reuseable Orange Plastic Bag From Sainsburys
They are surely the best, as you can fold them flat and then into a size to fit in a coat pocket or bag.
The one in the picture is probably six or seven weeks old.
One day last week, I needed a few items to complete my supper like some strawberries and I hadn’t got a bag with me. So I walked past Marks and Spencer and Waitrose to Sainsburys and bought them there together with a 5p. bag.
Do you think that Sainsburys have deliberately made a 5p. bag that lasts to attract shoppers to their stores?
Judging by the number of orange bags, I see on the streets of London, I certainly think Sainsburys have been thinking this one through.
- Orange bags are easy to spot, so you always take one.
- As they’re easy to fold, some might fold them and put them in their pocket or bag after putting the shopping away.
- Seeing lots of orange bags on the street, reminds shoppers to get what they need at Sainsburys.
- Because of the quality of the bag, it makes you think well of Sainsburys and their products.
On the other hand, IKEA deliberately make their blue bags impossible to fold, so you leave them behind, when you go shopping.
The Anonymous Widower 