Stag in Richmond Park

He wasn't keen on my getting any closer than this. Probably not a good idea given it is rutting season. However a good time to see these fellows at their best and the park is looking beautiful in all its autumn finery.

Fireworks Commence

The 5th of November and the firework displays begin. Over the next few days there will be bonfires and fireworks all over the country.

Fireworks, a drum roll and a selection from the red hat to announce the winners of the Parliament Hill Competition:

Vince Jowett

Angie Huddleston

Would the winners please contact me (aglimpseoflondon@gmail.com) with postal details to enable the sponsors to send them their prize.

Thanks to everyone who entered.

Oxford St - Xmas Lights

Thousands turned out on Tuesday evening to witness Jim Carrey switch the lights on in Oxford Street. Both he and Oxford Street are starring Dickens's Christmas Carol.

Regent's St and St Paul's also had celebrity switching on ceremonies at the same time. So lots more treats in store for you.

While on the Disney theme, Walt Disney Resort in Florida is looking for a twin town in the UK. If you think your town fits the bill then visit here. You might also win a trip.

Today is the last day to enter my competition. Winners announced tomorrow!

Men at Work #13

Not happy at work? Try a job that gets as many reactions as these guys managed.

Don't forget to enter my competition that is running at present.

Parliament Hill - Competition

Back in 1605 Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators planned on standing here on Parliament Hill to watch Parliament blow up as a result of their handiwork.

The Catholics of the time were pretty upset with the king, who they thought should be more sympathetic toward them. (especially as his mother was a catholic) and so planned to kill him in this spectacular explosion. Some thought this a bit drastic and the king was forewarned.

London has so many cool places to see. So we are offering two of you the chance to win a copy of Le Cool Guide London

• To enter just answer the following question:

Name the King Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators were planning to kill.

• Leave your answer as a comment on this blog OR
• email me your answer at aglimpseoflondon@gmail.com

Make sure you leave a link so I can contact you.

All correct entries will go into a draw and 2 will be selected to win a copy of Le Cool Guide London.

The people at vouchercodes.co.uk who enabled this completion to happen also have London accommodation deals at present like a 10% off at hotels.com discount

They're off

At the crack of dawn they left Hyde Park to travel 60 miles to Brighton. Over 600 veteran cars and a couple of bikes. Enthusiastic and having a great time, even the torrential rain that arrived moments after this picture was taken wasn't going to put a dampener on the day.
However I was happier to be somewhere dry and warm to have my breakfast.

Preparing for race day

Today is the big day. The London to Brighton veteran car rally. The oldest running rally of its kind.
Yesterday many of the cars were on display in Regent's street. You could chat to the owners and get a good look at these amazing vehicles. I was even lucky enough to have a ride in one.

Today around 500 of these amazing cars will leave Hyde park this morning and travel the 60 mile (97 km) journey to Brighton. A 10 hour journey for most.

Zombies for change

London really embraces Halloween. Walking down the street after dark you can find yourself chatting with anything from a witch to a werewolf, usually covered in enough fake blood to make a butcher squeamish. Last night I tracked down these creatures in Parliament Square outside Westminster, which they call "Zombie Parliament - Home of our Undead Democracy".

No... they are not there to meet up with relatives. They were there as part of the Vote for a Change campaign, which is calling for more accountable parliament with a referendum on the voting system.

Skywatch Friday - Gulls

A seagull imitating a lobster.

Have a good weekend. Don't forget to come and checkout my competition next week.

Don't forget to pay a visit to other skywatchers around the world

Billy

Autumn, graveyards and Halloween today.

Billy's heart in Bow Cemetery was one of many in this style grouped together. Is this significant? Was it Victorian fashion or are they part of group who died in similar circumstances? Any locals know the answer?

I don't know why but I thought that Halloween was an American invention. But no, it's origins go back further than that. Back with the Celts a couple of thousand years ago. Samhuinn (pronounced.. sah'win) marked the end of summer or the beginning of winter. The cows all had to be brought indoors. The ghosts of the dead were all a bit cold so were hanging about. Hence a good idea to leave them some food and do whatever was necessary to keep them happy.

So I hope Billy is resting happily under the trees in their red and gold autumn robes.

Hyde Park

The parks in London are just magnificent at the moment. It is tempting to bring you an autumn image every day.
It wont be long before there are no leaves, no colour and the beautiful light has disappeared.

We're British

Saw these two and the word that instantly springs to mind is British.

Next week I will be running a wee competition with a cool prize for anyone wanting to see London the way I do.

Busy Gatherer

The squirrels are furiously racing around gathering nuts and burying them while the rooks are impatiently waiting behind them to steal them.
Witnessed one rook so impatient it bit the squirrels tail to get it to move on a bit quicker.

The Flowershop

Racing past the flower shop.

John's Eyes

Meet John a lovely man I chatted to in Hyde Park one afternoon.

Sony Ericson and vodophone are running a competition working with world renowned photographer Jillian Edelstein (known for her portraits of Simon Pegg, Kristin Scott Thomas, Woody Allen etc.).
As the prize 61 members of the public will win a once in a lifetime opportunity to be chosen to have their eyes immortalised by Jillian Edelstein.
The event will be taking place during the first week of December at a flagship Vodafone store in London. All you have to do is head over to www.eyeswideopen.uk.net and upload an image of your eyes to enter.