Democracy in Action

Those who have occupied Parliament Square call it "Democracy Village" but that could not be further from the truth. This motley collection of tents and misfits has been on the square since the beginning of May, something that could only happen in a democracy, but democracy is working through the ballot box and accepting the result, like it or not. Direct action is as far from democracy as are the fascist structures these people claim to despise. I say this although I, too, have been steadfastly anti war; they are such a messy bunch. Thankfully, it looks like they will soon be out, courtesy of our elected Mayor. Now that's democracy. I don't mind Brian Haw, he is a great British Eccentric, but I don't want one of our more pleasant London spaces turned into a campsite.

The Bank of England

I had wondered from time to time just why the walls of the Bank of England are so bleak. Turns out that when it was built, there was a real fear of possible public insurrection, and walls like that make the gold stored underneath more secure. Simple when you think about it. This last weekend was a Bank of England Open Door when you can get tours around the inside of this august institution for free. My tour's guide announced himself as having worked for the Bank for 48 years - I thought we had some part time retiree. Until, that is, I discovered what amazing fund of knowledge he had, and how he could answer any question thrown at him. Turns out he is the museum curator, I think I got lucky. I was totally blown away buy the riches inside the building, an astonishing construction dating mostly from the 20's, although some elements are hundreds of years older. The craftsmanship displayed is quite extraordinary. I really recommend you visit, it is open this next weekend, too (3rd July). It is also fascinating to see that the gold bar that you can heft was worth £100,000 in 2005, £330,000 now.

My Favourite Elephant

There were a lot of very attarctive and very artistic elephants on show in the Parade, but my favourite deserves a closer look. It is "The Isles of London" by Stephen Walter. In it, he has turned London into a map that never existed, except in all our consciousness. You can see a view without people crowding around here, and I have uploaded detail photographs of quite a few areas here. They are all at full resolution, I recommend you investigate some in detail, see if your area is there.

London's Elephants - Nos Lots and Lots in the Series

I had to go, didn't I? The Elephant Parade is assembled in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in all its splendour. There are hundreds of people wandering about, apparently trying to make up their collection. All the elephants are being touched up (no!!!!!! not that way) ready for sale, and it is quite the party atmosphere. And of course I went round and photographed each one. Took a damn long time, I can tell you.

Stand and Deliver

This, the Kew Bridge Standpipe Tower, marks the site of the Kew Bridge Steam Museum. This is where the engine was built in the 19th century to supply London with water, the standpipes absorbed the immense pressure of each stroke of the engine without bursting the mains pipes. The museum is one of those places I've long wanted to visit, but never have.

The Syon Lion

This magnificent gateway is the old entrance to Syon House, one of London's greatest houses. This is the upside of my stoopid commute, I get to see some different scenery.

Close Call

The A30, which is where yesterday's photo was taken runs by the perimeter of Heathrow Airport, and planes pass very close overhead. Sometimes, very close indeed. Hard as it is to imagine the area here used to be rural and the airport grew to meet London's air travel needs. One of the fun snippets of the history is that the original design, with terminals inside the runways, prevented much onsite carparking. When it was first built, air travellers were all expected to arrive with chauffeurs. Times have changed.

Who Put the Heath in Heathrow?

This pastoral scene is very close to the busy London Airport at Heathrow. Just how close? see tomorrow. Just a reminder of how rural this area was before the airport arrived.

You Know You Are In Hackney When.....

....The sandwich boards for the businesses are made from wholegrain hardboard ;-)

Yeah OK, the food was good. (I went for one of the Caribbean ones)

Paradise Here on Earth

Saturday and Sunday saw the Paradise Gardens festival taking place in Victoria Park, an entirely free music and arts festival. As I was passing through, I saw Ruth Theodore, a very unusual musician who is growing on me.

Going Postal

Excuse the naff photo (sneaked shot) but this is a real gem. The Postal Archives - which look fascinating in their breadth and depth - have had to move from their own huge area in the Mount Pleasant building to what used to be the boiler house. They also have a very small room set up as a museum. There are only two cases, but they are packed with fascinating stuff, from the days that post went by horse & coach, through the wars, the only full sheet of Penny Blacks and a lot (ok, not so much in quantity) more. It won't take you long, you will have to sign in and deal with the pleased surprise of the staff, but you will be pleased that you visited . Plus, its also one of those rare places that Diamond Geezer hasn't visited, apparently. (There is also a postal section in the London Museum, too) (Oh, and "Going Postal" apart from being a Terry Pratchett book is an expression)

Costermongers

Not secret this time, but something a lot of you won't have seen. This pair are in London Fields, and designed for kids to romp over. I do like that type of thing. Costermonger is just the old word for a fruit seller, want to know more?

Secret Tunnel

This is the entrance of the Regents Canal to the Islington Tunnel, which is almost 1Km long! When it was first opened in 1820, bargees used to have to navigate the tunnel by lying on their backs on their barges and pushing the barge along with their feet. Read about it here. And the "secret" bit over the last few days is because I doubt many Londoners know of their existence or significance. Save my educated and informed visitors, of course.

Secret Building

This building won a London Architecture Medal when it was new back in 1931, Some time between then and now, they ripped these white tiles off the fromt to leave a bland office frontage. You have to walk around the back to see this, and guess what it would have looked like eighty years ago.

A Secret Courtyard

Tucked away behind everything is this secret courtyard of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, If you thought the Candlemakers Guild was old, these are even older. If you want to find it, too, here's the link on London Daily Photo Map.

Strike a Light

This coat of arms sits above the door of the Chandler's Guild in Gresham Street. With a history dating back 800 years, they have been on the same site for 500. Read two millennia of potted candlemaking history here. It helps remind you just how long London has been a thriving city.

Strike it Lucky

Occupying an odd empty space in the City, just by Bishopsgate/Norton Folgate - I think it is one of the very last undeveloped bomb sites - is a golf practice club. At least you don't have to spoil a good walk to play here.

Little Georgia

My holiday plans this year involve travelling to Georgia, so I am taking every opportunity to investigate. You can imagine my pleasure to find Little Georgia, an authentic Georgian restaurant serving excellent food at reasonable prices. But don't take my word for it.

Plane Sailing

The London Plane tree is so ubiquitous in London that we almost forget it has the "London" moniker in the front. They are city trees because of the way they can deal with pollution (they shed their skin) and having their roots hacked about, you can find them all around the world. But, it provides the elegant backdrop to a lot of London streets and parks, this one is London Fields.

Tell it like it is

This blurs the distinction between art and reality. In Kingland Road by Shoreditch, this is an art installation. No, it's a caff. No it's a shop. I dunno.

You dirty rat

It was a squirrel a couple of days ago, but I couldn't resist posting the picture of this,,,rat? I dunno, it's halfway anthropomorphised. Whoever painted these really known what they are doing, look at the brushwork. So, my tip for the next Banksy. This person's paintings are going to be worth something.

Looking for a way out?

These are the respectable mean streets of Hackney, there are a lot worse. But it is the opposite side of the road to yesterday. And for once the way out is just to cross the road.

Shiny Happy Students

This is the Hackney City Academy, a secondary school less than a year old that epitomises the direction that education has been taking in the UK over recent years. I can't help but think that the prime reason for the success of these new institutions is the money that has been thrown at them, and that the much vaunted private money invested just provides a smoke screen. I'd love to know if they are real, long term, value. The other half of the equation tomorrow.

Take Time To Smell The Flowers

These supersize murals of little furry things have popped up all over the East End. I've no idea whether the juxtaposition of the nose and flowers was deliberate but I couldn't resist it. There is extra poignancy because Club Row (on the other side) used to be London's pet animal market, where animals in all stages of distress were sold. This page has some history and Ronald Searle cartoons.

Bikes, Buns, Beers

A new cafe has opened in town, in Old Street, combining great food (really) with bike stuff. What's not to like? Even if you aren't into bikes, the food (salads, pies, cakes) is all home made and worth a pilgrimage. It's called Look Mum, No Hands

Spring Flowers

A slightly different take on a green building, spotted going up in Clerkenwell just off Jerusalem Passage.

Glad to be Grey

I was fortunate to be invited by a friend to Tom Robinson 's 60th Birthday Bash, Glad to be Grey, at the Empire Shepherds Bush. It's a wonderfully intimate venue ("Please take a moment to locate your nearest bar, remembering that your nearest bar may be behind you") which lent itself perfectly to his music, and a good time was had by all.

Tom Robinson was always an exceptional musician and songwriter, prepared to plough his furrow outside the mainstream. Here are a few reminders of some of his oeuvre:
Glad to be Gay Do you remember how good these lyrics are? When it was released only John Peel was prepared to play it.
Power in the Darkness
Too good to be true
War Baby as performed on the night or a dodgy video of the same. Has one of my favourite first lines: "Only the very young and the very beautiful can be so aloof".
And of course 2 4 6 8 Motorway, introduced on the night as a "Medly of my hit"

The Museum of London

New, improved! The Museum of London is back in its full glory (Diamond Geezer has a full report), it's really worth a visit, I will bring you more pictures and stories soon. The story goes that back in the 18th century, when this elaborate coach was made, they harnessed up fine horses to pull it, who strained too do so. The Lord Mayor of the time was the owner of Whitbread's Brewery, and said something like "Those fancy things will never pull that - I've got just the thing you need" and loaned his dray shire horses to pull the carriage, which they do to this day. When you see it close up, you realise just how massive it is.

Can You Guess What It Is Yet?

You are looking at what will be the Olympic Athletes Village, in Stratford just around the corner from where I live, being thrown up with incredible speed. Won't be long, now. I'm looking forward to it all.