Gossip

Guess whose zooming down for a cut, cuppa and chat.

The Breakfast Room

No not mine. I wish! This is in the Pitzhanger Manor House in Ealing. Believed to have been around since the 16th century with several owners, it is now famously known as the country house of the architect John Soane. He substantially renovated the Manor which now features typical Soane style, curved ceilings, inset mirrors, false doors and wooden paneling.
Partly restored it is currently used for weddings and private hire, exhibitions and public visits.

Romance Among 10,000 Ceramic Blooms

The fountain court at Somerset House is currently a grass meadow with 10,000 ceramic blooms. An art installation by Chilean artist Fernando Casasempere. The blooms are made with clay from his native Chile a material used by local artists for hundreds of years. The installation titled "Out of Sync" go on display in Santiago and then take up permanent residence in the desserts of northern Chile. In the mean time it is the perfect courting space for a couple of pigeons.

A Story in Stone

Above the entrance to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is this sculpture depicting king John handing the Magna Carter to the Barons at Runnymede.
The building was constructed in the early 1900's which surprised me as it appears similar to those around it at Westminster.

British Museum

Always something interesting at the British Museum. I am experimenting with photographing light. One of the few places around London you wont be prevented from photographing inside.
They also assist you in making your own film documentary see here.

Three Mills

On the banks of the River Lea, Three Mills was one of eight or nine tidal mills, with this the largest in the world supplying flour to London in the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 17th century it mainly produced the grain needed to make gin.
I'll treat you to a peek inside in summer when visitors are permitted on Sundays.

Another View Of Kings Cross Station

The mezzanine floor of the new concourse at Kings Cross Station. See the view they are looking at here. The architects have create a roof that will become as iconic as the British Museum. A treat for the 45 million annual passengers that will pass through here.

Weird Fish

Grannie in her trendy weird fish hoodie

Colourful Mayoral Campaign

London's Mayoral campaign is in full swing. Boris and Ken are the two leading contenders, slugging it out with all the usual rhetoric. Among the lesser known candidates is Dave Dobbs from the birthdayparty. A bit whacky and off the wall, he is offering us ideas that are "channelled" to him. A skill he apparently inherited from his parents and honed in the Himalayas.
Dave says "it is time to wake up. London needs Spiritual Leadership now"

Breaking News - Three Little Pigs Arrested

Passing the Guardian Offices the other day I spotted the three little pigs and the wolf. What is this all about? seems it is part of the Guardian's advertising campaign for open journalism.
The video clip is a fun watch here.

An Alphabet of London

From Abbey Road, Achilles and Albert to, Zeppelin, Zhiming and Zimbabwe House

An alphabet of London is a quirky new book taking us on an alphabet tour of London by way of lino cuts created by artist Christopher Brown. Not only do we see the London he grew up in and loves so dearly with his whimsical prints, he also takes us step by step through the process of his craft.

A perfect gift available from Merrell Publishers.

Kings Cross Concourse Opens

The new concourse at Kings Cross station officially opened yesterday. The orientation of people has moved to the west of the station making the connection between Kings Cross and St Pancras easier and more logical. Now spacious and light with shops restaurants and cafes making your wait a pleasant affair.
When the renovations first began at St Pancras we were told this was to be a destination station with people wanting to come to the station for all that was there and surrounding it. it is well on the way to achieving this.

Paddy's Party

Thousands celebrated St Patrick's Day in Trafalgar Square yesterday.

New Life for Red Telephone Boxes

Why are the red telephone boxes still scattered throughout London in an age when everyone has a mobile?

For tourists of course!

Remembering Bali

A memorial to those killed in the terrorist attack at a night club in Bali 12 October 2002. The marble globe represents that those killed came from 21 countries.  The names of all 202 who died are on the curved wall behind the globe.

Fancy a Pint

You've come to London and you want to experience a "real English Pub".  The Victorian Albert fits the bill. Serving a traditional carvery (roast meat and veg), fish and chips and a range bitters on pump (that's beer on tap). The decor is traditional despite its 1960's makeover. Of particular note are the Victorian features such as the highly polished mahogany bar,the ornate staircase and the etched and cut glass windows. Situated in Victoria Street, Westminster, pop down for a well earned rest after you've traipsed around the houses of parliament.

Frolicing in The Daffs

Animals and people were frolicing in the daffodils. Doesn't it really feel like spring now.

Liverpool Station

Opened in 1874 Liverpool Station is one of the busiest in London with a 123 million people passing through each year. It was the first place in London to be hit by a German Bomber in WWI, killing 162 people. In the late 1930's many refugee Jewish Children arrived as part of the kindertransport.  One of the sculptures to honour them can be seen beneath the blue meeting point sign.
When the new cross rail opens in 2018 Liverpool Station will be one of the stops.

Postcard from Tromso



I'm back from chasing the elusive northern lights. With a sky like this my entire trip they stayed well and truly hidden from us, despite the most solar activity in awhile. We'd gone past the arctic circle to increase our chances of seeing them. Humbug they were visible further south on these days.

I'll have to try again next time. So the best I can over you is a glimpse of a pretty red house through the constant falling snow.

Update:

Here is what we did instead:



Caption Quest

"You seem to have mis-placed your collar sir. Don't tell me the protestors have out-foxed you"

I'm sure you can all come up with a better caption than me. A treat for me to return home to.

The Devil Tavern

Could there possibly be any link between the actions and behaviours that we now know emanated unchecked from the News of the world, and the nature of the first building at No.1 Fleet street?.  The street that is famous as once being the London centre of the newspaper empires and media barons.

Direct Line

The Victorian "direct-line" to the Police scattered around London mostly out of use now were painted dark blue in London but this lighter blue in the city.  Eleven emergency alarms could be triggered including, thieves, forgers, murder, accident, fire.  No wonder the city home to bankers instructs you "this phone no longer in use please go to the nearest pay phone."

Muppet

Which one do you think?

Biscuit Squabble

Gimme that biscuit!

White Hart Dock

This dock and slipway date back to the 14th century all that remains now is this current structure from 1868. The sign next to it informs us that a few tunnels from here to Embankment are visible at low tide. I haven't verified this yet.

Speakers Corner

A quiet spot Monday to Saturday, however if you want to be entertained or challenged then come here on a Sunday to hear a multitude of opinions offered from various soapboxes.

Pot Shot in the Middle Ages

This doorway takes you through to the hidden garden of Staple Inn. For protection the gates would be closed and undesirables would be shot through the small grill.

I am away on holiday hoping posts are appearing for you.  I've had several problems since blogger did their recent upgrade. Has anyone else experienced problems? Hopefully they will sort themselves out while I'm away.  If not I apologise and will try and sort them out when i get back.

Egg Hunt

The big egg hunt is on in London at present. Two hundred eggs created by artists, designers, architects and jewellers have been placed around the city. I've found about twenty so far.

Memorial

Along the Thames pathway and opposite Lambeth Palace is this memorial to acknowledge the work performed the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.). This special spy group was set up by Churchill in 1940 to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis Power. (Germans, Italians and Japanese). Another brief was to instruct and aid the resistance movements. Of the 13,000 people employed by this organisation 3,200 were women.

Candy Floss

Candy Floss, Cotton Candy, FairyFloss, what ever you call spun sugar, can you believe it was a dentist who invented it? Yep William Morrison invented all sorts of things in his spare time. In 1897 he created the candy floss machine. Maybe he was looking for an endless supply of patients?

March Theme Day - Electricity

This month's CityDailyPhoto (CDP) theme for a photo is electricity.

I've brought you an image of the Savoy Theatre. This grand building first opened in October 1881. Impressive for its grandeur but also impressive as it was the first public building in the world to be lit entirely by electricity. When? 1889!

It was revamped in 1929 and then rebuilt again in 1993 due to fire.

To see other interpretations of electricity today:
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants