Whoopsie!

This new sculpture in Soho Square may be Art... but to me it just looks like someone falling off a horse.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Oxford Street - the shabby end

This is why Hanway Street survives as it is - it is attached to the shabby end of Oxford Street. You know, that bit of it that makes every Londoner feel ashamed. Nobody notices Hanway Street in all that.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Back Beat

There are increasingly few interesting back streets in London, that retain an air of shabbiness. Most places are either genuinely shabby or tarted up. This is Hanway Street, though, hidden between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Stuff you won't be able to see yet #3

And this is what it is all about - the games. This is the handball arena, I don't think it will be that empty come the day. London prepares, alright - I'm looking forward to the thing, even though it is going to be chaos for a couple of weeks. Roll on summer!!

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Stuff you won't be able to see yet #2

Up close and personal with the Mital Orbit - this looks like it will be real FUN.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Stuff you won't be able to see yet #1

The Olympic Park is open and ready for action if you are involved in any of the test events. Mrs Ham, being involved in a local school, was invited to one such and so over the next few days, a mini preview.

This walkway is made from a very soft tarmac, it will be awesome to see it thronging with people.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Another Happy Christmas

I saw this left by a pavement artist in Covent Garden. The inside says "Today I earned 29p, Please don't expect a beautiful picture." Leading me to the conclusion that either (a) the artist is in the wrong profession or (b) a little poetic license has been exercised.

Whichever, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy New Year.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Happy Christmas

The humble LED may have a lot to answer for these days, but I confess to a sneaking liking for houses done up like a Wild West Bordello, especially when they have put a bit of thought into it, like here.

Happy Christmas all, hope you have a great time over the holiday season, wherever you are, whatever you are doing and whether or not you celebrate. Just enjoy people smiling.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Soho Square

Somewhat surprisingly I have never featured this, the half timbered building at the centre of Soho Square. Visitors may wonder if it is genuine, as it seems so out of place, but it is not - the history of the square goes back to the late 17th Century.

Looks like rain, dear

For some reason this year, real reindeer have been popping up around London, they do look like fun and they do have novelty value in their favour.

The Heart of the Matter

I saw this chap idling away the time, and I couldn't help but think it was a character from a Graham Green novel, come to life. It takes all sorts in London

Orc's Nest

London plays host to many shops that would find it difficult to eke out an existence elsewhere, and the Orc's Nest is one of those.

Looking For London

I do like tourists visiting London and I have NEVER been guilty of misdirecting them; doesn't this picture tell a story?

A Hidden Building

Tucked away in Hanway Place, behind Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street is this building: the Westminster Jews Free School, built in 1882. Searching around I came across the London Metropolitan Archive who apparently have 4m of their records for anyone to examine, which sounds fascinating. Also came across the recollections of someone who went there. Worth a little detour if you are in the area, and besides it is the easiest way between the two roads and I bet you've never seen it.

Christmas Rock

I rather like the Christmas hat on the "We Will Rock You" figure in the Dominion, Tottenham Court Road. It's one of those shows I'd like to see, but never got around to.

Strange Art

If I told you I saw this in a modern art gallery, you might well believe me. In fact, it was what remained on the wall of the tube after advertising posters had been pulled off. I rather like it, though. Maybe I'm a bit weird.

Cultural Ties at Nancy Victor

Always good to find original shopping ideas, and Nancy Victor fits the bill. They have a fascinating range of very different objects (like a "Piss Off" cross stitch sampler....) and it was only when I started looking about I found out what they are about. The ties are part of a fascinating exhibition. Worth a visit if you are searching for something that bit different for a present.

Naked Tower

I'm still not quite sure what has happened, because for years the Telecom Tower (Post Office Tower to those of us who remember it going up) has had its profile protected by planning, despite the dishes not being used for anything for many years. And now, they have all gone. Don't know why, but all the microwave dishes are now gone.

A Blue-ish Plaque

I came across this rather off the wall blue plaque on the wall by the Newman Arms pub in Newman Street. He sounds like a character.

Let me show you how to walk the dog

This is the last of the green chain walk photos, just a photo of a man walking his dog.

Old Style

I don't often travel by tube, I hadn't realised that these old lamps, woodwork and brass were still in any stations; this is St John's Wood station. Thankfully, the old wooden treads have all been replaced with metal, post the Kings Cross fire.

Winter Wonderland

The thing about these small markets, is you get small sellers. People that have made and crafted a few items, and you have the opportunity to buy them. That's what's happened here - a few gingerbread houses, beautifully crafted with love and care. You won't get items like this from any chain store. No point me trying to find a website it doesn't exist. Aren't they fantastic?

Merry-go-round Christmas

There seem to be more high street fairs set up this year, or maybe I've just seem more. This one is St John's Wood High Street. Maybe the retailers are struggling to find ways of making us part with our cash.

Ordinary Londoners - No 23 In the series

I've been very lucky over the years, at the Three Wine Men on Sunday I got to meet Oz Clarke, my wine hero. His attitude drew me into the world of wine - to quote from his website "Wine is all about pleasure, If it doesn’t give you a buzz, there’s no point to it.". His books about supermarket wine hurrrumph years ago made the journey accessible, and when I had the resources and the fortune to experiment more, I trusted his judgement more than anyone else.

Let's raise a glass to a champion Londoner, cheers Oz!

The ordinary Londoner series is here.

Three Wine Men

What is your idea of heaven like? I got a small glimpse of my personal one this weekend, when a visitor to this site invited me to attended The Three Wine Men, a festival of wine tasting, combine with the odd bit of a cheese stall. Perfection. I had a wonderful time, my regret is that there won't be another until next year, so although I would encourage anyone who thinks this sounds interesting to go, it will be a while before you can. Ah well, I enjoyed myself. I left the vintage port till the end......

Lesnes Abbey

We've arrived at the historical high point of the walk, Lenses Abbey, with a history that dates back to 1178. In the distance, you have the ugly tower blocks of Thamesmead, allegedly one of the worst places to live in London. Somehow, I think it will be forgotten sooner than the abbey.

The Herald Angels

We interrupt this walk once again to bring you .... Christmas. There is something quite magical about the wafting tones of the Salvation Army brass with familiar carol tunes, arriving by surprise one evening. They were outside this evening, and it felt like Christmas is on its way.

The Greenest Man

Moving along the walk to Lesnes Abbey Wood, coming across this carving on a lightening struck tree is quite surprising. Depressing when you realise some people have obviously tried to burn it, but still.

Lights, Camera - Theme Day!

The subject of the December theme day in the worldwide City Daily Photo sites is "Action", a BBC outside broadcast cameraman in front of the Bank of England seemed to fit the bill.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants, and see how they have interpreted the them.