Category Archives: urban living

The colour’s coming back in

Posted on April 30, 2018 by simplyradical

Like post-war technicolour movies, colour has come back to the landscape, despite a winter which wouldn’t let go. In another throwback to the 1950s, the 2018 Doomsday Clock is now at two minutes to midnight, where it last was in … Continue reading →

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Inner city mindfulness

Posted on February 2, 2016 by simplyradical

The kernel of this blog is simplicity. If we could only move our lives back into simplicity, so many of our contemporary problems would diminish or depart entirely. And I find it ridiculously hard to do sometimes. The ‘things to do list’ only … Continue reading →

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On time and patterns

Posted on May 17, 2015 by simplyradical

for ‘our pictures, your words’ event at the fantastic Made in Greenwich gallery May 2015. Inspired by Nicola White’s fish, Deborah Larne’s Signs of Serendipity (and accompanying music) and David Weekes’ Greenwich railway station painting, all part of a Made in … Continue reading →

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Blast away winter blues with herbs

Posted on November 5, 2014 by simplyradical

Seeing as I’m running workshops at a city farm to help people move to a simpler lifestyle, I’ll start sharing some of the learnings here. I’ve covered lots of different subjects in my workshops this year: growing on balconies and containers; … Continue reading →

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Bladerunner weather

Posted on February 12, 2014 by simplyradical

Friends dubbed last year’s winter ‘Narnia’, it went on so long, with snow falling on Easter Sunday. This year the winter reminds me of Bladerunner, as I negotiate city streets through day after day of rain. Today, as I hurried … Continue reading →

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Simplicity and wildflowers Part 2: New London Meadows

Posted on August 9, 2013 by simplyradical

All over London this summer, I’ve noticed wildflower and grassy meadows where before there was regularly mown grass. This is something I’ve been persuading landlords to do for the last year and a half, and now, suddenly, it seems to … Continue reading →

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Simplicity and wildflowers Part 1

Posted on June 26, 2013 by simplyradical

In my part-time day job, I attempt to sow wildflowers, food and inspiration in built-up urban areas. The idea is to make them healthier to live in, for both humans and other beings. Despite the huge benefits, there are many … Continue reading →

Posted in allotment gardening, DIY Food, mindfulness, nature connection, simplifying daily life, sufficiency, urban gardening, urban living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sunlit tree flowers and leaves

Posted on June 7, 2013 by simplyradical

In homage to this week’s beautiful sun-filled evenings… Sun through horse chestnut leaves, Dulwich Silhouetted tree flowers, Dulwich

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Heygate Urban Forest

Posted on May 31, 2013 by simplyradical

As featured on the new nature. I lie on my back on the grass and watch the clouds, my view framed by hundreds of newly-budding branches arching above me. I’m the only person in this vast decanted housing estate, once … Continue reading →

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Tree flowers

Posted on May 18, 2013 by simplyradical

I’ve really enjoyed noticing flowering trees this spring, hungry for signs that the Narnian winter was on its way out. Many wind-pollinated trees put out tiny flowers before, or alongside, their leaves, as leaves can get in the way of … Continue reading →

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