please empty your brain below
Hi DG

2 things: Ophelia is my all-time favourite painting... The river looks a bit more prosaic in your photo...

Also - "queuing slalom" at Chessington. Is this really what these things are called? We always say "the snake" but I just made that up...

And are you the first person to write the word "Ewell'll"?!?

Thanks for RB25!

EP

Eskimo Pie | 13.04.10 - 8:08 a.m. | #

I remember when Chessingtons theme park was just Chessington Zoo. I was a young service technician working for a TV company.
They passed me a call to go to Chessington Zoo and ask for "Mr. Lion". I drove there without thinking and only realised when I got to Chessington Zoos reception and was told he did not work there that they were all having a laugh on me!.

John | 13.04.10 - 9:13 a.m. | #

I saw my first Giraffe at Chessington.

adaptor-plug | 13.04.10 - 9:25 a.m. | #

Tolworth Tower - remember when that was an eagerly anticipated landmark for me and my cousins on our way to spend weekends on our motor yacht at Thames Ditton in the 1960s. I think at one time the Fine Fare was the largest supermarket in Britain. I later heard several floors of the tower housed secret RAF operations facilities.

Waterhouse | 13.04.10 - 10:12 a.m. | #

I had the privilege of seeing the original of Ophelia at the Millais exhibition at Tate Britain a couple of years back. A beautiful painting, but having seen the Hogsmill on the ground last June, I can't help feeling that its location is a bit underwhelming... Great set of posts about the borough. Looking forward to the next one.

Chaz | Homepage | 13.04.10 - 11:46 a.m. | #

The Inland Revenue now takes up a large chunk of Tolworth Tower, and opposite is Radio Jackie.

Debster | Homepage | 13.04.10 - 12:19 p.m. | #

Tolworth Tower was once the Odeon Cinema!
http://tinyurl.com/y69gu6b

John | 13.04.10 - 5:23 p.m. | #

I remember riding the Vampire when it first opened, as a newly graduated student. I rediscovered it a couple of summers ago when my kids all begged to go there. It's the favourite with the whole family now!

CornishCockney | 13.04.10 - 5:42 p.m. | #

Once again... I wish I knew your blog when I had chance to see all the beautiful places...

Pavla | 13.04.10 - 6:13 p.m. | #

isn't Chessington own by our favourite Wheel-Owning corporation? in which case why isn't it the "Merlin Chessington World of Adventures".
Fond memories too, of the episode of Grange Hill when they all went to Chessington Zoo for the day.
Oh, and £34 is just exortionate. No way is it worth that much - shocking.

geofftech | Homepage | 13.04.10 - 6:26 p.m. | #

I was taken to Chessington zoo when i was very young, in the 1950's. All i can remember is a red London Tram outside. Anybody else remember it, or did i imagine the tram.

coffin dodger | 13.04.10 - 8:07 p.m. | #

As usual, the gate price is extortionate to leave room for some deals and coupons.
I think that about nobody pays the 'regular' price.

Martin | 13.04.10 - 8:20 p.m. | #

Many years ago I worked for Reed Employment and their head office was in Tolworth Towers. Don't know if it still is.

Christian | 13.04.10 - 11:17 p.m. | #

Yes, happy memories of Tolworth Tower and that dreaded roundabout with traffic lights, you knew you were nearly home when you saw this. Good memories of Chessington too when it was just a Zoo and a few swings & slides to keep the kids amused. There was a Bowling Alley near the roundabout too which was always worth a visit.

Tina from Surrey | 13.04.10 - 11:51 p.m. | #

How has Geoff managed to insert hard returns in his comment?

Eskimo Pie | 14.04.10 - 12:24 a.m. | #

coffin:
Tram 1858 is alive and well, and may now be found at the East Anglia Transport Museum near Lowestoft.

womble | 17.04.10 - 8:58 a.m. | #











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