Hocus Pocus

In honour of Halloween, I present you with one of London's specialist shops. With a cursory glance you might think this was just a joke shop, but when you look around at what is on offer you soon realise that it is the real thing. What's more in the Internet age, you can visit from your armchair. Now isn't that magic?

Horsing About

Just a detail from the magnificent portico above the entrance to the Household Cavalry Barracks in Hyde Park.

Pretty Flowers

Yesterday wasn't the last picture from Kew as promised, so sue me. I realised that I hadn't shown any flower pictures, which would have been unforgivable. Rectified. Having visited now and seen the wealth that they have on offer, it is more of a mystery why it has taken that many years for me to venture inside - I recommend you don't leave it as long, it is truly one of London's great days out.

From The Greatest To The Least

One last Kew based photo, because they have an Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture, for my money, the single sculptor most associated with London. He is a Scot, not Italian and I know of five other of his sculptures in significant places. This one is an abstract called A Maximis Ad Minima, or "From the greatest to the least". There is so much going on in there, you can make of it what you will.

The Kew Mural

This fantastic carved mural is cn the wall in Kew and is a distillation of many of the features of the garden, like the parakeets, the Chinese lions and the pagoda. It was created out of the wood from some of the 800 trees brought down in the great storm of 1987. It is called "Kew Threatened by the Wind" and here's the kicker - it was carved by Robert H. Games, a sixteen year old schoolboy at the time, do have a look at the detail. Hard to understand, but I can't seem to find any more of his work.

The Palm House, Kew

Of course, that magnificent tree was in Kew Gardens - if you look carefully at the large picture from yesterday, you will see the tree plate, which was a clue. Here we have the iconic Palm House, built in the 19th Century using shipbuilding skills turned upside down (ooo yes...)

I have a confession to make. As far as I am aware, Kew was the only major London attraction that I had never in my life visited up to last weekend, why that was so is a mystery even to me. I can report that it was magnificent, and likely to become more so over the next week.Actually, even better than RHS Wisley, I will be back. Not cheap, but a fantastic place to visit.

The Glory of Autumn

Isn't it magnificent? And now a quiz: Who can guess where I am? Only clue, it is very much London. Not difficult, to be honest.

Mercury Rising

Some of the modern carving on buildings, like yesterday's and today's is really quite fine and often overlooked, or should I say underlooked? The Cable & Wireless building in Theobalds Road hosting this example is actually 50's built, although it looks Deco. I'm quite fond of how worried this winged messenger looks, hurrying into the future.

Egyptian London

The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 led to a frenzy of Egyptian inspired design, none less so than the embellishment on 233 Shaftesbury Avenue.

The Ark, Hammersmith

The Ark in Hammersmith is a building visible from the A4 that some people love, some hate. I've been trying for some time to find the right angle to convey its shippy-ness, I think I've managed it, just.

Oh, and two more La Soiree pictures on My Other Stuff, one of Marawa, one of Captain Frodo.

La Soirée - David O'Mer

A couple of days ago, I told you about how I visited and how much I enjoyedLa Soirée? Well, I was rather disappointed to only have a photo of the empty stage, so I asked if I could be allowed to take photos of the performers. I was very lucky to be included in a press call for photos, and I will share some with you. This is David O'Mer, his act is billed as aerial ballet, which is only part of the story. It is WET aerial ballet. A hugely talented gymnast, the display is exceptionally entertaining - especially for the ladies, I can't think why.

Stuff Sells

The antiques market in Portobello Road is relatively new, having started in the 60's, but it has taken it's place as one of London's finest. Held on Saturday morning, Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park or Ladbroke Grove are the underground stations. From Notting Hill Gate, all you have to do is follow the crowds. Soon enough you will come across everything you ever wanted to buy, and a load of stuff you can't imagine buying. If you're going to go to one London market, make it this one.

Time on Your Hands

These clocks are on sale in Portobello Road, the antiques market. Another picture and some more words tomorrow.

Billionaires Row

You may know Millionaires Row - Bishops Avenue, but Billionaires Row is Kensington Palace Gardens. One of the most expensive residential streets in the world (average house price is £18M), it is mostly occupied by Embassies and Ambassadors residencies, and is certainly the most exclusive London street. And I would have taken photos inside, but photography is forbidden and it is policed with armed guards. It is open for people and cyclists though, and I recommend a visit.

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

Watering Feature

This little water feature is possibly the best thing about this hotel (Kensington Hilton), but it does make me smile.

The Stage Is Set for La Soiree

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a preview of La Soirée, together with with Mrs & Miss Ham; I can happily report that we all laughed more than could be imagined. It's a show being put on over the Christmas season, and is not exactly cheap but it is a unique blend of avant-gard entertainment and edgy stunts. Sitting ringside (recommended) I was alternately stunned, repulsed and creased up laughing. Yes, that's the ring you can see. Lots for the boys, and lots for the girls, too. Rabelaisian sums it up to a "T", and not a lot merits that. I found an online draw for tickets here http://www.thestage.co.uk/win/detail.php/170/win-tickets-to-see-la-soiree-featuring-stars, I've entered because I'd like to go again (the answer is Miss Behave, by the way), here is the link to the site:

I couldn't take photos of the show, but I have asked if I can do some portraits of the performers, if I can you'll see some here.

The Thames Water Tower

The Thames Water Tower mystifies people driving around Shepherds Bush Roundabout, with good reason. First and foremost, it hasn't worked for some time. Even when it did, most people did not realise that it was a giant barometer (covering up a bit of huuuuge pipework for the London Water Ring Main). It used to contain blue water which would rise with high atmospheric pressure (indicating good weather). I hope they get it working again, it was quite fun to be one of the few who knew where the world's biggest barometer was.

A Forest of Flagpoles

This odd collection of flagpoles can be seen on Kensington High Street, outside what used to be the Commonwealth Institute. One flagpole for each country in the Commonwealth, and there are a very lot. As the Commonwealth Games play out in India, it is worth giving a minute's thought to what the Commonwealth represents: the remains of the British Empire. I think it is still a good thing, but I confess I'm not entirely certain why. Wikipedia article is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Commonwealth

A Shopping City

This is Westfield, located in West London and apparently the largest shopping centre in Europe. Well, woopie doo. Acre after acre of the same shops you can find in every town in England. I really fail to understand how it is viable to carry on throwing up as many shopping venues as possible, what did we do before they arrived? And, there is one appearing in East London's Stratford soon, that'll be a shock to the local system. I may go in and take a photo from the inside one day, just don't hold your breath.

The Ebony Pearl

London has been bathed in glorious sunshine for the last two days, so today I decided to cycle the long way to work, which takes me along the Limehouse Cut. I always love seeing the people living alternative lives on the water, and it was by the Limehouse Marina that I caught sight of this vessel heading into the Thames.

Autumn Bounty

After years of isolation from nature and her seasons, London appears to be edging closer these days; there are increasing numbers of farmers' markets. This one is in Notting Hill, every Saturday morning. Doesn't that laden table look wonderful? If you are particularly eagle eyed, you will see that there are crab apples and Russets among the riches on show.

The London Cycle Show

The annual Cycle Show is in London at the moment, it is interesting to see how it has grown over recent years. However, this bike (unfortunately not available to buy) made me smile. It's the "Bond Bike" complete with caterpillar track, ejector seat and flamethrower. See the video here.

Nippy Service at a Restaurant

J Lyons has a place in the British psyche tucked away in the "slightly seedy eatery" section. That's on account of how they brought us the Corner Houses, Wimpy Bars and the like. But, they also ran serious restaurants, like this one in Throgmorton Street.

Zen and the Art of Banking

Ahh Glasshopper, you have much to learn about banking....

Some people will associate the grasshopper with Barclays Bank, some even with Martins Bank, the old bank that Barclays absorbed. But the date here - 1563 - is a clue to its origins with Thomas Gresham, and the foundation of British banking.

You can read the story of Thomas Gresham and how he save the Pound from oblivion here, the Martin's Bank history on the site here, for the 68 Lombard Street Site. (The whole Martins Bank site is worth exploring, too.)

No. 49 Bankside, SE1

This small house next to the Globe Theatre on the Southbank appears fairly ordinary. However, it has two notable features. The first, is that it is the oldest house in the area, dating from 1710. The second (related to the first) is that it has had its history (from a time before it existed) researched and turned into a book - The House by the Thames (History), (Amazon). If that sort of history leaves you cold I recommend you don't touch it, but otherwise, it is strangely compulsive reading.

St John's Fulham

This elegant church sits in Fulham Broadway and has a history dating back to 1828: "Built as an act of thanksgiving for the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte", you can read more about its history here .