London's Vantage Points - the Oxo Tower

The top of the Oxo tower is an exclusive bar and restaurant, but also a free public viewing gallery. I've passed by the sign hundreds of times, I've eaten in the restaurant, but it was only today that the words sunk in and so I went up to have a look. Nobody else seems to have noticed, either, but it must be the highest, free, central London viewing area.

Wild Poland in London

If you like Nature Photography, take a stroll along Southbank. For the next month there is an exhibition called Wild Poland - quite a lot of great photos. I was going to crack a bear behind joke, but I managed to stop myself - almost. What was really nice to see was the way all manner of people were engaging with the pictures.

Number One Poultry

This building used to be Mappin & Webb, a Victorian Gothic edifice and some people mourn its passing. I wasn't sure to begin with, but I rather like it now. Read about it in rather over the top terms here. (What also made me laugh reading that was that Google ads on the page wanted to sell me a chicken coop)

The London Marathon

36,000 people ran 26 miles - I made it to watch the Marathon, albeit only briefly. It is a truly great event with an atmosphere like no other I can think of. Everyone willing the runners on, the runners doing it for charity; it's just a nice place to be. So, to all those that took part, Chapeaux! (or to the non-cyclists out there, 'nuff respect!)

Hats off to the runners

I'm not sure whether I'll get down to the London Marathon this year (running today) but I take my hat off to those who run. Mrs Ham & I walked 17 miles yesterday - no way do I want to run 26. These hats are in Lock & Co, London Hatters since 1676 - and that's a marathon, too.

As they say in Tour de France land - chapeaux!

Anonymous Londoners - One of Thousands

I don't often show photos of the homeless here, and I don't often recycle photos from TWWSI. But this one is different - those eyes. Adelaide Street behind St Martin's in the Fields is a focal point for homeless. Look at those eyes - there but for the grace of fortune go you and I.

A Conversation With Oscar Wilde

It's probably my least favourite sculpture in London. I was here for The Way We See It and I've been struggling to photograph this for some time (Chaz does quite a good job in TWWSI). It doesn't help that Oscar's ciggy keeps on getting nicked, and it just ends up looking like a putrefying head and hand poking out of a coffin. Read about the statue here.

Ian Tomlinson

Ian Tomlinson is very much in the news at the moment: he died during the G20 protest, apparently an innocent bystander caught up by events. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, it is a tragedy that he died. This shrine has grown up close to where he was assaulted. See the video here, read the story here.

Spring Flowers

Red, white(ish) and blue spring flowers? It must be one of the best spreads in London - just outside Buckingham Palace. They're rather good - it's actually worth a trip (maybe just a short detour) to see them. There's also something curiously British and satisfyingly understated about the way that yellow/white flowers have been used. In the USA, that would have been pure white.

For some real spring flowers, pop over to London Daily Nature Photo today.

Adventure Playground - Interactive Graffiti

This has to be a world first in London - Interactive Graffiti!

Someone had taken the trouble to convert streetsigns by Shoreditch Church into an adventure playground: swing, ladder, trapeze, rings and people were having quite some fun using them. A few more shots here.

Ordinary Londoners - No 21 in a series

This is Kate Garrett, an ordinary Londoner who has put themselves forward for election to my local council.

In my area, a councillor has recently died, precipitating an election this coming Thursday. Kate is the Lib Dem candidate and - for my money - the best candidate. I don't have any party political leanings, but their agenda is closer to what I think should happen than any of the others. The system doesn't work without decent, responsible people like Kate willing to put themselves forward, and it doesn't work if you don't vote. Whatever you do, whatever your politics, you really must join in if you have the opportunity to vote.

The Ordinary Londoner Series is here.

National Maritime Museum

The colonnades at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich are one of my favourite sights in London, can't quite explain why. Photo taken on the Bronica.

Sir Thomas More

Thomas More lived and is buried near here on the Chelsea Embankment. What sets this statue apart is the gilded face and hands. What set the man apart was the way he lived his life to ideals - he coined the word "Utopia" - he was the Man For All Seasons. Is it only me that sees irony in that he was chosen as the patron saint of politicians? Except, I suppose, he did get up to some pretty nasty stuff so it fits.

London Does Dingy

I never cease to be amazed how London can change character as you move around a corner. This alleyway is just behind Denmark Street - Tin Pan Alley and by virtue of the tattoo parlour and the music studios, has a completely different feel from the bustling streets surrounding it. Try it, you'll see what I mean. The view from Google Streetview is .here

See where on the London Daily Photo Map
For the first 200 Map places, click here.

Lao di fang - 老地方

They don't take reservations from Europeans, they don't appear to have a website, but My Old Place (lao di fang) serves some of the most authentic Chinese food you'll find in London. At the end of my introductory Chinese course, all us students went with our tutor to this fantastic place. There is an English version of the menu, but the Chinese one looks more comprehensive. Just try stuff is my advice. Reviews here and here. And if you had asked me to read that Chinese three months ago, I wouldn't have believed I'd ever be able to do it. I start the next level in a couple of weeks.

London's Elephants - No 28 in a series

Today's elephant was spotted by the great Greenwich Phantom sitting high on what used to be Burton's building in central Greenwich. See the general view of the building here. The elephant series is here.

Peter Pan Statue

The statue of Peter Pan is well known, but less frequently visited. The background story is interesting, and Peter Pan is the focus, but I'm fascinated by the quality of detail on the whole statue and the pediment. Frankly, it would have been unlikely to get past the kiddie-ahem-ahem censors today, but it is entirely beautiful. A view of the whole statue here.


See where on the London Daily Photo Map
For the first 200 Map places, click here.

(Well, for the first time in over three years I've missed a day posting. Only I hadn't missed it, it was here ready and waiting, Blogger didn't work and I didn't notice it.)

Union Street Theatre Cafe

I was in union Street for The Way We See It when I was reminded just how vibrant London's fringe theatre is. I haven't been the the Union Street Theatre or any other for a while, which is a shame. If you aren't familiar with the concept, fringe theatre is where shows are put on in small venues, some are good, some maybe less so, but all are an intensely involving experience. I would certainly put a fringe show on my "must see" list of things to do in London.


I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up). Back soon.

Better to give than receive

From one hospital yesterday to another. the charity that funds Guy's & St Thomas Hospital have a policy of committing 1% of funding to the arts, to make the hospitals a better place to be and live. The results are things like this metalwork down the side of London Bridge. This commission is meant to signify "It's better to give than receive". Not sure I see it, but I like the work.


I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

Trinity Hospital, Greenwich

Not to be confused with Greenwich Naval Hospital, Trinity Hospital is the oldest building in Greenwich Town Centre, dating from 1616, worth a look or even a detour as you walk along the riverbank.

I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

Riverside Life

Just along a little way from the Thames Barrier is this riverside block of flats by a small nature sanctuary, looking over the Thames. I think if I had the money, this is one of the places I might choose to live, or at least have a pied a terre.

I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

The Thames Barrier

This is the Thames Barrier from the southern bank of the Thames, the only thing that stands between us and getting washed away. Really.


I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

Tea Ceremony

If, like me, you enjoy good tea, you reall should examine Teasmith in Spitalfields. Visiting, you are powerfully reminded that we English took this drink to our hearts from its origins in the orient.

I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

Swan Landing

This is one of a small group of swans landing on the south side of Battersea Bridge, a rather elegant addition to a barren corner.

I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

Don't Sit Down!!!!

Today just a bit of Local Council Lunacy from my local area, Wanstead. It amused me.

I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).

Embargoed!

I was passing Lambeth Bridge when I spotted a lot of activity and camera work. Thinking I may have happened across something of significance, I started snapping away. The Production Assistant came over and asked me not to take photos, so I asked why. She told me that this was a fashion shoot for one of these "reality" TV programmes and if the remaining contestants were revealed (several weeks before the "official" selection) it could ruin the programme.

I then pointed out that there was really nothing to stop me taking photos in a public place, she said "Yes, I know, but I have to ask nicely." How could I refuse?

I'm on holiday for the next week, but pictures will continue (if Blogger doesn't play up).