Feelin' Hot Hot HOT!

It's been the hottest July day here in London, and everyone is looking to keep cool. This picture was taken at the fountains in Somerset House. They are not that well known, as the courtyard is hidden from the road. The building itself iswell worth a visit another day.

Foley Street Studios

As you travel around London, you will see quite a few structures similar to this, with staircase down. They used to be public toilets, but were sold off some years back, and became all sorts of enterprises. This on Foley Street was a film or tape studio for a while, they put the taller structure inside the old. My favourite example, though, was the one that turned into an upright tanning shop. Their slogan? Tanning at your conveniene.

Tom Cards

When I posted pictures of phone boxes two days ago, Eric wanted to know what they had to do with swingers. Open up any box in London and you fnd these prostitues adverts - "Tom Cards". As fast as they get taken down, new ones go back up.

I used to wonder how the ... service staff? ... managed their own safety. One day, a strange tourist aksed me to call one of the numbers and help him arrange .... a massage. In the spirit of adventure, I did so, and had a chat with the girl on the other end. Seems that this bloke had phoned before, becaue they didn't like the sound of him they turned him down.

Put that in your pipe...

Let's start the week in a tobacconists, of all places. You can find G. Smith & Sons at 74 Charing Cross Road, where it has been since 1869. Apart from the selection of pipes and this cheerful chappie taking a pinch of snuff, it is also noteable for having been the very first shop in Charing Cross Road.

Who remembers Bob Newhart's Introducing Tobacco to Civilisation?

Government Health Warning: Reading a blog about tobacco will not damage your health.

A classic London sight

We are so used to the phone box in London, we pass it by without a thought. It is a perfect example of functional design, and all attempts to find a more up to date replacement have failed. Made me laugh when they discovered that traffic noise stopped them from using a plain hood.

Bow Street Magistrates Court is closing down

The origin of the Bow Street Runners (the forerunner of the police force) is truly fascinating. Let me start you - did you know that the man who started the force was blind? This article tells you about some of that, and Wikipedia gives you up to date background of the court.

Checkout the famous names that have through the door. Even if you don't know the Kray twins, you will probably have heard of Cassanova (and many others).

Another gem about the Police station is that Queen Victoria objected to the blue police light, as it reminded her of the room that her husband, Albert died in. So they changed it to white.

Thanks to ems for reminding me that the Court is closing today, to be turned into a hotel.

Let them eat cake!

Those famous words, often attributed to Marie Antoinette as her response to the peasants problem - "they have no bread" is a suitable way to say Happy Bastille Day to our French friends from across the channel (of which there are now quite a lot - more than you might think!).

And here is London's answer to that question - Konditor and Cook. They are a small chain of shops who make "fabulous cakes - the sort you'd make yourself if only you had the time, energy or inclination..

For those revisionists that are interested, the provenance of the "Let them eat cake" phrase is here, on the Straight Dope which is a site worth a browse.

A load of Pollocks? No.

Pollocks Toy Museum has sat in its little cornerfor ever, and is run by the grandson of the founder. It has a fasinating collection and a wonderful line in proscenium toy theatres like these.

Ducking and diving

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I would like to say to the people of Mumbai, our thoughts are with you.

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Be shown around london by a duck! no, really! These people had the brilliant idea of converting a WWII military amphibious Duck to carry tourists around London. I've never been on it but it looks really cool. Just seeing it drive off the road into the Thames is great. Hmmm just a thought - could it be a tentacle of the Empire of the Scaryduck?

The Wind Cries Mary in D Minor

In Brook Street you can find one of my favourite bits of London trivia - the Blue Plaque for Jimmy Hendrix and Handel, next door to each other. Well, they were both into big hair.

London's Elephant's - No.7 1/2 in the series

I can't get away from the feeling that I'm cheating a bit here. After all, they are nowhere you can go and visit, but I liked them so much I thought they had to join the party. I'll compromise and post this as an extra to the series, hence the "7 1/2".

They were on sale at the Hampton Court Flower Show (see yesterday), and they appear to be having a wonderful time splashing about. I didn't dare ask how much they were.

Click for No 1 in the series.
Click for No 2 in the series.
Click for No 3 in the series.
Click for No 4 in the series.
Click for No 5 in the series.
Click for No 6 in the series.
Click for No 7 in the series.

Worldwide Web Garden

I went to the Hampton Court Flower Show today. There was only ever one picture for the blog - this is the Worldwide Web Garden",

"The inspiration for the garden came from a growing awareness and acceptance of our reliance on the worldwide web for the exchange of knowledge and communication on a global basis" It won a bronze medal.

Anyone who is interested can see the rest of my photos on this link. There are a lot of them.

Let me show you my London

In contrast to yesterday's somber mood, today I'd like to show you some of the glory of London. Crossing Waterloo Bridge on my way to work, I just had to stop and take this picture for you.

It doesn't matter which bridge I use, what the weather is like, how busy I am; I always look around me, and feel lucky.

Today is July 7th

A year ago today four total non-entities stepped onto London trains and buses and changed the face of my city, forever. Fifty two people and four murderers were killed, 700 injured. For all that the IRA were misguided, possibly psycopathic, fanatics it was never that difficult to step inside their heads as it is to understand the mindset of these British misfits.

Was it their idea of the virgins waiting for them that turned them on? The posthumous glory? Who knows. I refuse to call them muslims; that description no more defines their actions than does our common humanity.

Think instead of those left with the memories, those who lived through a small piece of hell on earth. In absolute terms the Somme and all that stood for may have been a lower circle of hell, but that does not diminish one iota the significance of the pain imposed randomly on people like you and I.

Rachel who lived through an underground bomb is an eloquent writer. Please take the time to read her work, visit her archives - read and learn. We cannot ignore and we must not forget. Not just London a year ago, but Madrid, Bali, New York: all those places where innocent people died because some murderers decided their cause was just.

This photo recalls the bombing of the Baltic Exchange by the IRA in 1992. Only (huh, "only") three people were murdered and the historic Baltic Exchange destroyed. Out of its ashes, the Gherkin, one of my favourite London buildings, has risen. Their names are carved into the granite wall, without any explanation. Let us not forget.


Rachel is calling for signatures on a petition for a public enquiry into the events of 7th July, to help avoid others having to go through what she has done. Please sign it, thank you.

Sleuth Day in the Daily Photo world!

If you are into murder mysteries, the best place in Europe is here, in Murder One, the biggest specialist crime bookshop.

Today, the wonderful world of the Daily Photo brings you the first international quiz.

Your mission, should you accept it, is to discover the two Daily Photo sites that have a linked post today. Entries by email to londondailyphoto (at) gmail.com, progress can be tracked in my comments box, the first three winning entries will get a postcard from both of the sites. There are clues in each of the two sites text on the post, and here are some more clues:

They are a world apart.

One is not in Old North Scotland, the other isn't that far away.

A celt sewn lump of coal marks one end, the other has a recent connection with ancient games.

Is it Art, or is it Paul? (a little more cryptic, those last ones)

(More clues will appear through the day)

Good luck, and good hunting.

Mark, sorry, Barcelona and
Barcelona is not the answer (nor are San Diego and
San Diego

12:40 - Chris, Carment, Kathrine, you are the winners! The two sites are Newcastle and Sydney, who both have the same design of bridge. The story of the two bridges is fascinating, I recommend you have a look.

Decipering the cryptic clues:
One is not in Old North Scotland - sydney is in New South Wales, the other isn't that far away, Newcastle is near Scotland.

A celt sewn lump of coal marks one end, the other has a recent connection with ancient games. A Celt sewn = Newcastle, famous for its coal, Sydney held the Olympics

Is it Art, or is it Paul? Sorry about these - Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Bridge over Troubled Waters.

Thanks all for taking part, the winners will gettheir postcards for Sally Sydney and Chris Newcastle.

These guys should be band!

Well, that's what they are, trouble is the council wants them banned (together with all buskers) from the South Bank.

I heard their accomplished playing of some jazz standards (A Train, Sweet Georgia Brown ec) from my desk and wandered out to take a closer look, and their picture. They don't have a website, so I'll pass on their message - "Keep Music Live!"

A little later, they were moved on.

Quiz arrives this time tomorrow,.

The Eagle Has Landed

Following the friendly example of Eric, I'd like to wish all my American readers a very happy 4th of July.

This memorial is in Grosvenor Square, just outside the US Embassy and commemorates the 244 American (and 16 British) airmen who died fighting in the Eagle Squadrons before the USA joined WWII.

(detective quiz coming up on Thursday)

London's Mounted Policemen

Today I thought I'd show you some of London's cycling policemen. I took this shot at Friday's Critical Mass, which was well attended after the recent victory in court made it clear that the ride was legal.

These guys do a great job and are excellent ambassadors for the Police service. Maybe it's the cycling that does it, by keeping them more in touch with reality. Whatever, they are welcome on the streets of London and much more versatile at a chase than a car. Also, for those that might feel cyclists are too lawless, these guys often give out tickets to cyclists who jump red lights and ride on the pavements AND they can catch any who don't stop. And they DO have flashing blue lights and a siren!

Speaking of police and detectives (almost a smooth segue) I'll be hosting a small sleuthing quiz for a couple of daily photo bloggers on Thursday - more details to follow.

Claridges Hotel

If you stay in Claridges Hotel (one of the poshest) you can get a cheerful dorman to call a cab for you, while you chat.

Theme - Supermarkets around the world: Waitrose

Waitrose is my favorite supermarket by a long way. Why? Well, what you see in the picture is a hand scanner. If you have an account card, you can use these: you just take the stuff off the shelves, scan it and put it into your bag. Pay with a card in a machine on the way out. That's it.

That would be pretty persuasive for me, but on top of that Waitrose is an ethical supermarket, the only one apart from the Coop. They make available local produce, organic and fair trade food. The quality of their food is superlative and they have a great range of ingredients. They have product tastings like Champagne and strawberry ice cream and great prepared meals.

I'm going to shut up abut them now, after all they don't pay me. Oh. Actually they do - I get cash back using the account card.

In a nutshell, I'm not saying there are no problems but Waitrose is the closest you'll get to an old style shop; it is the best of British retailling.

Twentyfive Daily Photo Bloggers around the world are posting a Supermarket theme picture today; select a number to visit another:1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18 -19 -20 -21 -22 -23 -24 -25

The Bath House, Dunbridge Street

This Bath House in in Dunbridge Street in the East End. It dates from the times when people did not have baths in their houses, so once every week, or maybe longer, they would visit one of hte many bath houses. Hard to imagine time like that now. Some bath houses were also steam rooms, and became a social meeting spot.

These now, are turned into private flats, you can rent one here. What they don't tell you is that rumour has it that one of the notorious Kray twins murdered victims is underneath the big chimney you can see here. You can read some more about it here, and about another place that might have a body here.

String Quartet, anyone?

In Covent Garden, there are always performers of different sorts about. The cafe in the basement normally have classical music, sometimes opera, maybe guitar, today: a string quartet. A very civilised way to have a cup of tea and a cream cake in the afternoon.

Seems top-down photos are all the rage.

The London Oasis

I love bringing you exiting things, and here is a one for the books. The London Oasis. It is "A kinetic structure which harnesses and recycles natural resources for the benefit of Londoners". You sit down, pull the hood down and the noise and hustle of the city are replaced by cool air and birdsong.

Do get down to Clerkenwell Green and try it out while it is still there over the next two and a half weeks.

Another pic is here.

CityPoint

The City of London has undergone spectacular change of recent years, moving from building the dreary concrete boxes in the sixties and seventies to exciting new projects today. None more so than this building, Originally built in 67 as Brittanic House, an example of the worst design, it has been reborn as CityPoint. This shows a full view of the building - you need a serious architectural camera to take this.

London's Elephants - No. 7 in the series

London's Elephants again! This one has to be the least known, tucked away in Crouch End. This topiary elephant is so quintessentially british, I love it. Somewhat difficlut to get a clear shot with all the cars and the roadworks, here is another view.
Click for No 1 in the series.
Click for No 2 in the series.
Click for No 3 in the series.
Click for No 4 in the series.
Click for No 5 in the series.
Click for No 6 in the series.

The Navigator, Hays Galleria

This scuplture is inside Hays Galleria, itself a rather nice shopping and eating arcade just by the London Dungeon (and a lot of other places you've seen here).

What isn't obvious is that the paddles turn, oars swing and water sprays down like rain. David Kemp is the artist of the piece. He works a lot with found object, and his works seem always to contain humour.

Who shelled out for this?

This strange hut in a very small public garden outside Victoria Station.It is one of two, and I have no idea why they are covered in shells.

("Shelled out" is colloquial English for "paid")

Aladdins Cave

De Winter's Upholders is a soft furnishing shop in Kensington Church Street is a true Aladdin's Cave. It's a family business that's been here for 40 years, where the only thing on the web is a spider. OK, I confess, there's a little more to it. I used to help out here in the very early eighties. and this chap came in with these astonishing designs for clothes as part of his degree, and he was looking for luxurios furnishing fabrics to make them with. I helped him find them. He was John Galliano.

You've got mail

....and a Webcam and MSN.....

Top tip for the traveller in London with a laptop. Wander around in an alleyway behind offices and shops, pretty soon you'll pick up free WiFi, and off you go. I left this guy with the URL of London Daily Photo, I hope he drops by and says hi!

A Little Bit of Nostalgia

You might have thought that a shop just by Victoria station could not have avoided several makeovers through the years. But the "Belgravia Cigaretta Coy" sign looks to be from the twenties, and the cigarette ads in the top window look to date from the sixties and seventies. How much longer, I wonder?

Cubana

I like this detail of a discomfited Uncle Sam from the mural on the side of Cubana, a restaurant in Waterloo. A wider view is here.

Egg

I'm back in Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge today and showing you a display in a shop called egg, of the work of Karen Downing. Terence Conran lists egg as one of his favorite shops, "A wonderful quirky mix of objects of desire". I agree. Here is a picture of their frontage.

Exmouth Market

Scott in Virginia asked for a picture of Exmouth Market, a reecntly revitalised and now trendy and bustling area of London. This is Brindisa delicatessen and Moro restaurant, a little corner of Spanish cuisine in London.
Don't forget you can visit Barcelona and Madrid on the Daily Photo Blogs without leaving your chair.

Patricia Roberts

Do you knit? If you don't - don't switch off! Beacause these garments are in Patricia Roberts shop, in Knightsbridge. She creates the most exquisite garments in wool and her patterns are pure engineering; it was probably that factor that got me started as a knitter in the early eighties. The way the knitting process turns the 1-dimensional wool into a 2-dimensional fabric, and then magically into a structured, 3-d garment is a mathematical joy to behold. Two more pictures here and here.

Beating Retreat

I'm grateful to LDP reader Peter who was at today's Beating Retreat ceremony. It was in front of the Duke of Edinburgh, who has just turned 85. Peter sent me this photo, and I am pleased to present it to you. If you haven't heard the DofE stories before, enjoy this list of his gaffes. This was taken at Horseguards parade, where a few weeks a go the Sultans Elephant was trumpeting about.

Another Good Guy

Yesterday, I mentioned Lord Shaftsbury, today meet William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. Curously, Shaftsbury hated him and labelled him the Anti-Christ, because Booth came to believe that women could preach as well as men (his wife convinced him of that!). This statue is in whitechapel Road, close by the mission.

The Salvation Army is now worldwide and continues to provide support for those without homes or hope.

Little Green Huts

You pass these odd little green huts around London, and you may have wondered what they are. They are cafes for London cabbies, put up at the end of the 19th Century, by the philantrophist Lord Shaftesbury (he was really one of the good guys) and his friends. The reason that they are the size they are is because the police insisted that they could be no larger than a horse and cart. Nowdays, they are all listed buildings, but mostly still in use by cabbies. This is the plaque on this one in Russell Square, just next to Tiruvalluvar.

HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast is a surprise to people, finding a warship in the shadow of Tower Bridge. It has an extensive active history, and you can visit it. If you are lucky, you may get shown round by one of the ex sailors that served on her. A couple of years back I had a private tour like that on the evening my friend had his 50th birthday party on board.

Village Green Cricket

Village Green cricket is alive and well. I took this picture on Woodford Green, the other end from where I took this. For those people who would like to understand how the game is played, this should help. Here's a curiosity, as far as I know, cricket is the only game to have laws, not rules.

Walthamstow Assembly Hall

The Walthamstow Asembly Hall is another strong candidate for the now-I've-seen-a-picture-no-need-to-go-there gold award 2006. Set in a barren suburban landscape with little to recommned it, the thirties built building at least makes a reasonable photograph. Also, it is noted for it's accoustics, so quite a number of orchestras are recorded here.

Tiruvalluvar

One of the things I like about doing this blog is finding out about things that have passed me by. This statue of Tiruvalluvar stands in a quiet corner by the School for Oriental and African Studies off Russell Square. I didn't know who he was or that he was a Tamil Philosopher from the 5th Century BC, who said things like "The ignorant are like useless, brackish soil, they exist and that is all". Kind of direct, eh?

Rendez vous with more dp bloggers

As the Paris Blogger Bash draws closer, the stories start coming out. First, we have Eric telling three charming women to arrive on Wednesday when the party is on Friday (I'd like to state it clearly here and now that I do not suspect Eric of any nefarious motives, I'm certain it was a simple administrative error). Then Mark let slip that he'd been entertaining some bloggers. Now I find that some more bloggers, including Mr Vortigen have set up a party in Magma Books in London (must be cousins, look at the similariities). I'm confused.

Can you spot the odd man out?

This scene is part of More London, a new development by Tower Bridge and City Hall. There's quie a lot to see here, so I'll leave you with this photo for today and wander back for some show and tell over the days to come.

Ring the changes

Big Ben fell silent today for repairs (at least the quarter hour strikes have). The people that are repairing it are those that made the bells in the first instance, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the oldest foundry in the world it has been operating in Whitechapel from 1420.You can read the history and hear the chimes of Big Ben here.

This shot is of the workshop, where the bell (actually, the bell hammer) will be fixed. I think I'm going to have to come back here and show you more.

What's so special about this?

Well, you had to be there (Wells Street, W1) really, and I was. See that door in the middle of "SohoJapan"? It leads upstairs to some flats, including one where your very own Ham lived for a while back in the late seventies. The restaurant used to be Wolsey's Wine Bar, and the Barrow Poets used to congregate there, reciting and playing guitar until the early hours. The Pheasant Plucker's Song is probably their best known.

Brian the Snail

Today's little bit of grafitti sparks a Magic Roundabout-fest. Located in the Seven Sisters Road, I've seen it there for the past 35 years, not sure whether it is meant to be Brian. Looking around for Magic Roundabout sites, I discovered there are some strange ones (what IS going on in that last photo?) but there are also normal ones.

Greenwich Market

The Greenwich Market is one of the richest arts and crafts markets in London. I was particularly taken by these images of Buddha

Hubble Bubble Toil & Trouble

Now which of you around in the seventies did not have a Lava Lamp? I know I did. The Mathmos company shop is in Old Street, EC1, and their website is here.

Those plaques don't polish themselves

A shot I grabbed outside a grand place in Devonshore Street. What happens when the workers go home? the workers start.

Theme of the day: parking charges

Several daily photo sites will be posting about their parking charges today. Now London is clearly up with NYC in the top ranks - the Congestion Charge is £8 before you start. over £40 is the norm, and I have seen car parks charging £80 a day. But this picture looks as if it is of a 4x4 getting a parking ticket? Look closer and you may notice that it is actually one of this organisation's - spoof tickets pointing out to 4x4 drivers what a poor choice they have made. This page will let you print out your own - go on, you know you want to!

In the interests of balance, this article from Nissan puts the counter argument. All it does for me is re-enforce the idea that all the rest of them are ridiculous. (The campaign suggests that the smaller 4x4's should not be targetted, nor those that are obviously/probably for reasons of need.)

Today's change is off-site, a new blog hits the streets.