Dentist in Denmark Hill

After a referral to get my wisdom teeth checked, I was sent to Kings College Hostpital for expert advise that may “save me hassle in the future”.

After an enjoyable bike ride, I made it to here with 10mins to spare. As I was whisked straight in, my hopes were high that this would be a short check up and that I would be in an out in 15 or 20mins. It ended up taking a couple of hours, after waiting for a couple of dentists making their way around a packed room full of dentist chairs and asking each person their full medical history, with the person before me having possibly the most medical conditions you could imagine, from a double heart attack, asthma, a liver condition and a stroke! All this, plus a couple of X-rays later I was done! The fate of my wisdom was back in the hands of the experts.

As I left, I felt I needed some outdoor space to recuperate. Where better than the nearby Ruskin Park. A lovely little oasis next to the sprawling Victorian hospital that has been extended multiple times. You can notice those that have spent some time in or waiting for someone in the hospital, easily identified by their distant expressions, for people who have been waiting in the system for some time. Luckily there is a lovely pond and bandstand to gaze upon.

As with everything in London, there is a money making opportunity for someone. Check out these parking charges! Although nothing close to the rip off that is Heathrow!

As I had a bit of time to kill, I made my way to the South London Gallery, somewhere I had not been for a while. If you avoid the main roads, it really is a lovely tranquil place with great Georgian housing stock. Made even prettier with the Cherry Blossom. It was like I was in a remote village somewhere remote.

After chaining my bike outside the Gallery, I made my way in to, what I expected to be a vast gallery packed full of rooms. However, it was not what I remembered. Just the one main gallery space with an exhibition by a local artist called Christina Kimeze - inspired by her interest in the resurgence of roller skating in Black communities in the US and UK with feminist and mystical themes - hmmmm! It was a quick visit.

Walking out, there was an opportunity to buy some art, check out the interesting piece! Only £20 (reduced to £18 for Patrons). 

This over-priced piece of artwork lead nicely to another artistic connection to the area, the hugely successful music artist Florence and the Machine, who lived around here (probably in one of the posh houses round the back). She famously did an intimate gig at The Joiners pub here to promote her album / song ‘South London Forever’ in 2018. 

As I came away from this raw, grungy and rough around the edges area with pockets beauty, I noticed this interesting piece of graffiti - protest is certainly not dead around here! I am sure corporate America would frown at this one.

Next up was an errand in Earls Court (that is another story!). A mere 30min bike ride away - 3 hours if you took a bus.

As I rode south west from Camberwell (not the best connected place by public transport), back through the more familiar, manicured parts of London, memories came flooding back of misspent youth around these parts, in particular Earls Court. 

As I arrived, the first place I headed to was the Kings Head. Many a happy memory here, with many interesting characters, as JB can attest. From the exterior, it all looked the same.

As I walked in I was greeted with a completely re-configured pub! Nothing like it used to be. The old charm and memories stripped out into a modern, generic but pleasant space. The prices had also moved on, £4 for a half of Asahi!

Unfortunately, the “Prince of Tek” pub did not survive. 

Although the hotel of the same name still exists, the remains of infamous club MySpace still remain, highlighted in a bright turquoise colour - who knows if the space still serves as a club. The memories of the cast of characters at that time came flooding back as if it was yesterday - fake shake, RW, PS, Prada Man, harps, ahhh Ravi to name but a few. A great little trip down memory lane!

All in all a productive as well as reflective day, just how I like it.

 

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