Deer

Man, how trippy to blog about Centre Point then see this in Richmond Park half an hour later. I snap the buck between breaks in the rain and he lets me get within feet of him. Richmond Park is where I do a lot of my running since a perfect seven mile loop on a groomed trail. The park one of those taken-for-granted treasures like Central Park, which is about one-third the size of ours. RP is Britain's largest urban walled park and the largest of the Royal Parks in London. Moe points out that East Sheen Gate is 0.6 miles from our new house but I think it less. It is a two-minute jog, if that measures anything.

And since this England, the park's history: during King Edward's (1272-1307) reign the area was known as the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during Henry VII's reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a park for red and fallow deer. His decision, in 1637, to enclose the land was not popular with the local residents, but he did allow pedestrians the right of way. To this day the walls remain, although they have been partially rebuilt and reinforced. All houses backing on to the park pay a feudal fee known euphemistically as “Richmond Park Freebord” ranging from about £2 to £200 per annum. Poor them, but kinda cool.

This year the a debate rages about a parking charge - today free, but this may soon change unless a local outcry prevents the greedy hands of the cash strapped Richmond Council. Personally I have no problem with a fee given the majority of visitors, at least on the week end, from outside our area. After all, otherwise the grounds upkeep disproportionately from my council taxes. That don't seem fair.