Looking to the Future

This is a detail from the statues above the entrance to Selfriges in Oxford Street, possibly looking to see when the next economic downturn is expected.

Under the Guildhall

These vaulted arches around the Great Hall that probably date from the 15th Century - the Guildhall was the only non-church stone building to survive the great fire in 1666.

Holiday Snap

I'm back! here's where I have been, Val Cenis in the Maurienne Valley. A wonderful time with sun and ski, this afternoon we walked up the other side of the valler, the view is that of the village and the ski slopes.

Caught in the Act

A graffiti artist working on the Southbank, soon it will either be washed off or coverered by more.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

London Eye

In the short time it has been around, the London Eye has become one of the true London icons. This was taken back in 2007.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

The Savoy

This photo of the Savoy shows the one street in the UK where cars drive on the left.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Daley Thomson

Back in 2007, the Olympic announcement was new, and more people than you would now believe were saying how dreadful everything was going to be. Not I nor Daley Thomson, though.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Neo Gothic

The Prudential Building in High Holborn is one of the finest examples of the neo Gothic.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

A Controversial Statue

Bomber Harris stands outside Clement Dane Church in the Aldwych. Whether he gets a bad press or is a real villain, that's your choice.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

London's Industrial Heritage

There are few factories close to the centre of London these days, Tate and Lyle sugar factory is on of the remaining ones. Of course, just up river you have the Tate Galleries, too.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Thames Festival

A Punch & Judy performer from the Thames Festival - That's the way to do it!

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Bow's Canal BO

Before the Olympics, that is. This photo was taken before the Olympics moves in, on the left, itt doesn't look like this any more.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Uncle Sam

A small detail from a mural in Lower Marsh.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from teh archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Outside the Tower

Two band members happy to pose for the camera, outside the Tower of London.

On the outside looking in

There's something very atmospheric about this shot, you can make up your own story as to what is going on.

The Millennium Bridge at Night

Title says it all, really.

China Town

As I don't have any photos from yesterday's Chinese New Year Celebration, I thought I'd use one from my trip to China in 2009. This is the view over the Forbidden City in Beijing, complete with ever present smog.

St Luke's Clerkenwell

St Luke's church is a deconsecrated church dating from the early 18th century, often used these days for concerts by the BBC (the LSO own it). I REALLY would have liked to have seen Bruce Springsteen or Paul Simon when they were here....

Flower Power

Passing a flower stall can really cheer up a winter day.

Doormen

What does a doorman say about you? Your society? Where you are going? Funny old thing, when I was in China a few years back, I stayed in a hotel that had electronically controlled doors. But they still had a doorman, whose job it was to wave his arms around at teh appropriate time. Does that make more or less sense? You can see his portrait here.

Winter Beauty

We tend not to look closely at trees without their leaves, but they can be strangely attractive. This shot looked a lot like a map of London to me. I know, I know, I'll keep taking those dried frog pills.

Embelishment

While I'm looking at comparative buildings, here's one from Mayfair to throw into the mix. Brook Street, to be exact.

The Bloomsbury Set

Here's a modern building, with a bit of a chequered past. When it was built as a private, mixed use building, nobody wanted to live, shop or work here. I remember it back in the 70's when it was a - somewhat ugly - grey elephant. In desperation the developers had leased it to Camden Council for council homes, and Camden couldn't afford to paint it. The building with its gently sloping terraces giving all flats a balcony was listed in 2000, since when its fortunes have been on the rise.

Building on the Past

This building at 1 St John Street would doubtless tick all the fine Victorian building boxes, and is a superb example. The plaque at the top shows us a wild boar and informs us that W Harris rebuilt the building in 1897 (you can see a close up here). I do love it, but I'm actually pleased we build differently now.

Stuff hitting the fan

This plaque on a brave attempt by a 60's building to be a bit interesting marks the place the Huguenots effectively started the alternating waves of modern day immigration into the east end. Why there are two Ns in Fann Street, I don't know, but they did make fans.

London Shopping

There has been a tendency over recent years for the gift shops in major venues to sell interesting stuff and the Barbican is no exception. They are particularly notable for design stuff, but also for some interesting London bits. Definitely one to remember if you are ever looking for a souvenir.

Light Eating

This is the interior of the Barbican Foodhall, and excellent place for coffee and ....urm... light meals ;)