Cleared for Takeoff

This rocket shaped building in St James Street has intrigued me since it was built, but I don't seem to be able to find out much about it. I found a picture of the building that used to be there, though.

Living History

In the pavilion by Liverpool Street Station there is a statue erected to commemorate the Kindertransport. That was when 10,000 unaccompanied children were transported out of Germany and sought refuge in Britain in the months before the outbreak of WWII. Nobody sitting here takes a blind bit of notice, and that child doesn't have the faintest idea of the gulf separating him from the statue.

You Are Fired

Or you might have been, at least. This photo is not about The Anchor, a fairly ordinary pub in a great location with a lot of history, but instead of the two bollards to the left of the picture.

Somewhere in the dim distant past, I am sure I remember hearing that these two were cannons off enemy ships captured by Nelson. I'm not too sure about it - does anyone know better? Looking around, quite a few in the area appear to be cast at the end of the 19th century, and these are the only two that could have been cannons.

The Monument

Unless you have been particularly keen trawling through my archives you won't have found the previous appearance of The Monument, three and a half years ago. That was the very early days, when I didn't even have a decent camera to speak of.

Time to update: in the intervening period it has undergone a major refurbishment and is again open for the brave visitors who are undaunted by the 311 steps to the top. They have also built a great website with stacks of information.

And now, courtesy of Carolyn, a photo of The Monument taken around 1753.

Holiday Snapshots - A Rural Idyll

as I've said previously, every Londoner needs to get away for a short while now and again, and Shropshire represents a true rural idyll that most Londoners aspire to, but would probably drive them crazy after a while. Me? I could walk these hills forever. Although it was Bank Holiday and Mrs Ham & I were walking the more notable areas, the numbers of other walkers dropped exponentially as one moved away from the car parks: we had the entire county to ourselves - or so it seemed.

The routes took us to places like the Stiperstones and Pole Bank. Here are similar walks to what we did (1) (2)

St Paul's Cathedral

Isn't it amazing how different today's photo looks from yesterday's, althought they are taken in exactly the same place. I make no apologies for repeating the location, St Paul's must be one of the most beautiful spots in London.

The figures around the base of the statue of Queen Anne (yes indeed, Anne, not Victoria, sorry all!) are intended to represent England, France, Ireland and North America. The more acerbic commentators of the time made much of the statues position facing away from the cathedral, and the Queen's renowned like of a drink or two:

Brandy Nun, Brandy Nun, your're left in the lurch
Your face to the gin shop, your back to the church.

I'm off walking in Shropshire over the weekend - back soon.

Queen Victoria Queen Anne

This statue of a younger Queen Victoria Queen Anne that stands outside St Pauls Cathedral and is unusual for the gilded orb, sceptre and crown. Which may be why this statue is fenced off.

It is a bad (!!) copy of the original by Frances Bird, erected in 1712 to commemorate the completion of the Cathedral. The original can still be seen in St Leonard's-on-sea.


I'm off walking in Shropshire over the weekend - back soon.

Watch the birdie

This collection of stoned birds can be found as you enter the Isle of Dogs. I've no ide what it is doing there, and it's well out the way for passers by - not that there are that many of those.

I'm off walking in Shropshire over the weekend - back soon.

A London Bloggers Tour

The tour of the Olympic Site yesterday was interesting not only for the prime reason - the project itself - but also from the reactions of my fellow passengers and London Bloggers. So, you have the detailed and comprehensive reportage from Ian Visits, the wide ranging report of the Diamond Geezer Pt 1 Pt 2, the concise roundup (with video) of Londonist and the atmospheric audio blogs of the Onionbagblog, captured here in action for posterity. And me? I was struggling with the challenge of crafting a photo from the inside of a bus with dirty windows. Didn't stop me trying though.



I'm off walking in Shropshire over the weekend - back soon.

Happy First Birthday!

It's exactly one year since they started to build the Olympic Stadium and, together with a group of other bloggers (a natter of bloggers?) I got taken on a guided bus trip around the site. It was fascinating to see how it is coming along, and to try to imagine the way it will look in a few years time. More info tomorrow, in the meantime, you may want to check out Diamond Geezer and the Onionbagblog who may well be providing a fuller update.

Nunhead Cemetery

Did I mention I ventured into South London? While I was there, Nunhead Cemetery was high on my "places to photograph" list. It's one of the Magnificent Seven, I've already visited Abney Park and Kensal Green, Nunhead is probably the prettiest.

Looking for an alternative to the moody monochrome mausoleum shot, I came up with this.

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

London Mews Living

For the kitten lovers out there (you know who you are) let me give you a piece of advice. You now have experienced the entire appeal of Catford in South London, there is no need for you to visit. And yes, there really is a Catford Mews. I've looked for interesting stuff on Catford, all I could find was Wikipedia.

London's Elephants - No 29 in a series

The Horniman Museum has strong leanings to Natural History and, as we found out, to the odd walrus. I was pleased to learn that they didn't neglect the elephant, though.

The elephant series is here.

The Horniman Museum

The aquarium yesterday is part of the Horniman Museum, correctly identified yesterday by one alert visitor.

This place is an absolute gem. Finding places like this, or more precisely the ability to find places like this after all these years, that almost defines London to me. I only happened on it by accident, on my way to Dulwich - I could have found it earlier by paying more attention. I urge you to visit if you haven't done so. If you have, you know what I'm talking about.

A Fijian Reef

It's a Fijian reef you can visit for free in South London. Finding it surprised me - I wonder how many recognise this place? All will be revealed tomorrow.

The Ballad of Peckham Rye

One reason for crossing into South London is to find Peckham Rye. If you haven't read Muriel Spark's Ballad of Peckam Rye, you ought to. And if you have you'll be wondering, "Is Peckham Rye as bleak as it seems?" Yes.

God's Gift to Dulwich

I couldn't leave Dulwich without showing you Dulwich College. Established in 1619, Alleyn's College of God's Gift has a fascinating history. Alternative shot here .

For Whom the Toll Bells

Built in 1789, this is the last remaining toll road in London. After the ride on Sunday I cycled over to Dulwich, having my passport stamped on the way, and discovered that South London does have something to offer.Not a lot, but something. The wide view of the tollgate is here.

This also gives me an excuse to link to a great story.

Redbridge Sikh Charity Bike Ride

On Sunday, our local Redbridge Sikh community arranged its tenth annual charity bike ride, and the children's charity benefited by over £3,000. It is always good when London communities come together and prove that we live in much more than a soulless metropolis, a place where individuals care.

I haven't had a chance to sort through the rest of my pictures, but rather than wait for that, here they are straight from the camera. If you were there, you'll probably find yourself somewhere! Let me know if you'd like a full or processed version. Link to the photos is here

Royal Navy Air Service

The reason that HMS Illustrious was there and the rest of Greenwich was buzzing was to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Navy Air Service. Now I wasn't going to argue when I was told this, but I did wonder. So, I started investigating when I got home. The official website cites 1912 as the start date, but poke around and the ever-reliable Wikipedia comes up with the goods: ...the use of aircraft for military and naval purposes should be investigated....a rigid airship based on the German Zeppelin be designed and constructed by the firm of Vickers. After much discussion on the Committee of Imperial Defence the suggestion was approved on 7 May 1909. The airship, named Mayfly, never flew and broke in half on 24 September 1911." You couldn't make it up.

HMS Illustrious

Those that follow interesting Greenwich blogs will know why HMS Illustrious is tied up in the Thames by Greenwich. The rest of you will have to wait a day or so. Of course, I'd link to a load of other blogs if I wasn't insanely jealous that I wasn't invited to the trip onboard.

A Striking Feature

This clock, outside 187 Fleet Street, is not only notable for the two giants (Gog & Magog?) striking the quarter hours, but for dating back to 1671 and being the first clock in London with a minute hand. I couldn't show you that and the giants, though.

Saturday Cinema

Kings Road Chelsea is home to one of London's original deco cinema buildings. No longer a single main feature film and a "B" Feature that you could sit through as many times ans you wanted, these days it is more about variety - ten screens or more.

Behind Basra

There's a fascinating photography exhibition on at Bargehouse in Southbank called "Behind Basra": As British troops prepare to leave Basra, Iraqi photojournalist Essam al-Sudani turns his focus on the daily life of ordinary Iraqis. The exhibition presents portraits of everyday life from a city that is looking to the future with optimism.. Sorry it is a bit late, as it finishes this weekend, I found it fascinating. Info here.

Pull up a deckchair

This week has seen an explosion of optimism in London: spring is well and truly sprung. Sunny and warm, a short week after a bank holiday Monday makes everyone feel happy. So pull up a deckchair (outside Foyles on the Southbank) and relax.

Streetlights of Desire

This quirky streetlight (yes, it really is one) can be found outside the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour. Lots of designers, filled to the gunwales with stuff, but after spending a few minutes on their website I've decided that they don't want you to know what it is they do, just that they have a clever web designer.