My trip to Hemel Hempstead continue.....

View across to the new flats that replace the old Kodak Building. Phote: Roz Rossetti.

So, after exploring Apsley I am now drawn up towards Hemel town centre.  Once again, massive changes have taken place. The Kodak building had gone and alone with it that hideous statue by Rodan (I think) the Kodak building has been replaced by what I think are flats.  They look amazing and I would so love the top one on the sunny side.  The site stands on the Magic Roundabout that had not changed at all although I thought it looked really tired and in need of a face lift, it a shame because it is a famous roundabout and it deserves to look funky now particularly since Hemels facelift is centred at the entrance to the town.  The underpasses  are only accessible in a rubber dingy!  What is that about...it took me ages to get across the road it was busy even on an early Saturday morning.  The old Shell Mex (House) building had gone too..... swallowed up into a Debanhams.  I was pleased to see that the new buildings were built on a curve mimicking the River Gade that ambles through Hemel Hempsteads water gardens.

Cafe I had mugs of tea in.  Lovely ladies, really friendly. Photo: Roz Rossetti

Turning into the Marlowes I was first struck by the lack of cars....yes...its been pedestrianised.  How wonderful is that.....now wandering through the Marlowes was a great experience with el fresco cafes and stalls.  I found a really lovely cafe in the middle of what would have been the road, it was run by two ladies and served the usual teas and coffees and jacket potatoes as well.  The lovely thing was that they served the tea in proper chine colourful mugs and not some cardboard throwaway version.  They came to remember me by the end of the day because I kept going back for tea.  One lady called me Kate Bush !!