Pete Atkin

The Folk Music scene in London has always been vibrant. Simon and Garfunkel, Dylan, they all lived in London for that reason.

Tonight, I went in excellent company to the Walthamstow Folk Cub to see Pete Atkin.

Pete who? I can hear you say. Pete and Clive James (yes, that one) formed a songwriting partnership that has lasted (on and off) for over thirty years. And they are good. Browse the discography and the website to discover more. If you like brilliant words, and how they can become still better with the right music added, you are in for a treat.

Oh yeah - Pete is not folk, but that's the nearest category for him.

Other pictures I took are here.

Light in my darkness

Theoretically, tonight was a night of "Swtiched on London" - an extraveganza of light and design. But, when I turned up the only thing I found was hordes of bemused photographers, milling around with tripods in their hands and lost looks on their faces.

So we had to make our own entertainment, I took some photos (surprise). I was quite pleased with one or two, so I'll bring them to you over the next few days. Today's is of HMS Belfast, with their normal illumination. I think I managed to capture the light quite well - you may need the bigger version to see it properly.

Architectural Detail

I've focussed in on an architectural detail: it won't be obvious to anyone what it is. Here is the whole building, which comes across as just another modern steel and glass office block, the photo is of the facing panels. However, these panels are natural Welsh slate. I'm not quite convinced by the execution, but I love the idea of the synthesis of man made and natural substances, and I love the pattern it makes, too.

Looking for the summer

The cold, the snow and the travel chaos was here again today as predicted, so lets look forward.

Here's the music (click on play):

and here are the lyrics. Where was the photo taken? My garden.

Desolation Alley

London used to be full of car breakers: places you could go to clamber over a pile of cars four high to find that elusive bit of trim or pipework to repair your car with. These days, they have either been Health & Safety'd or priced out of existence. Shame really, because it was recycling at its most efficient.

This breakers yard is just inside the M25, near Dartford.

The Blitz

Yesterday's post reminded me of the Blitz, and made me think what that part of London would have looked like afterwards. History long buried was reborn and whole areas flattened.

This photo of St Paul's surrounded by smoke is one of the most iconic photographs of the time, I imagine recognised instantly by any Londoner. It was the firemen that saved London then, and this memorial, just south of St Paul's is to honour those 1,027 who died carrying out their duty.

Here is a page of firefighter's history in the blitz.

Barbican Frieze

This is a detail of a frieze from one of the only buildings from the (old) Barbican left standing after the blitz in 1940. The buiilding was owned the firm of gold refiners and assayers, W Bryer & Sons, founded in 1815 and who still trade in Hatton Garden.

You won't see this by car, as it faces away from the road, so here is the full frieze. here is the map of where it is, and I've marked its exact location here.

London's Elephants - No 13 in a series

The latest in the series is in Notting Hill Gate and is title is "Carnival Elephant".

Interestingly, an intrepid scout from the U.S. of A. on a trip to London has found me another elephant that I didn't know about....it will be along next time.



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.
Click for No 7 1/2 in the series.
Click for No 8 in the series.
Click for No 9 in the series.
Click for No 10 in the series.
Click for No 11 in the series.
Click for No 11 1/2 in the series.
Click for No 12 in the series.

Cow recycling

Anyone want to recycle a cow????

Grafitti Wall

I rather liked this grafitti wall in Camden, as it looks like several aretists have collaborated. The taggers have left it alone, too.

The Bloomsbury Set

There's not much left to see of the haunts of the Bloomsbury Set: those Bohemian artists who made such an impact to Edwardian London and the world - Virigina Wolff? John Maynard Keynes ? (yes, that one). However, when I was going down Tavistock Place at No. 22 I saw this mosaic, now gracing the step for the fire exit of one ofthe dubious hotels that line the street now. I could just see the shadow of the people who decided to put it there - I hope you can.

Theme Day - What annoys me about London

 
Today's worldwide daily photo theme is "What annoys you in your city". For me, it is London house prices. How on earth can anyone afford to live here now? Look at the numbers - average London salary - £42,000. Average London property - £352,000. It simply doesn't add up. The pictures and hte prices are from my local area, nothing special, nothing affordable. My first two bedroom flat here cost £20,000 when I was earning £6,500. Now, you can see one bedroom flats starting at £225,000. It just isn't fair.

52 Daily Photo sites are participating in the 1st December theme, "What really annoys you about my city", please use the links to below to visit them.

Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day.

1 (Porto (Portugal) ) -2 (Stayton, OR (USA) ) -3 (Albuquerque, NM (USA) ) -4 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -5 (Greenville, SC (USA) ) -6 (Dubai (U.A.E.) ) -7 (Evry (France) ) -8 (Jakarta (Indonesia) ) -9 (London (UK) ) -10 (Sequim, WA (USA) ) -11 (Buenos Aires, (Argentina) ) -12 (Seattle, WA (USA) ) -13 (Minneapolis, MN (USA) ) -14 (Stavanger (Norway) ) -15 (Joplin , MO (USA) ) -16 (Nelson, New Zealand ) -17 (Milano, Italy ) -18 (Singapore (KeropokMan) ) -19 (La Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala) ) -20 (Nottingham UK ) -21 (Singapore by Zannnie (Singapore) ) -22 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -23 (Not Strictly Seattle, ) -24 (Bandung (Indonesia) ) -25 (Vantaa (Finland) ) -26 (Hyde (UK) ) -27 (Madrid by Dsole (Spain) ) -28 (Oulu (Finland) ) -29 (Saarbr?cken (Germany) ) -30 (St. Paul [Carol] ) -31 (Sydney (Australia) ) -32 (Tokyo (Japan) ) -33 (Kyoto (Japan) ) -34 (Trujillo (Peru) ) -35 (Shanghai (China) ) -36 (Rotterdam (NL) ) -37 (Chicago, IL (USA) ) -38 (Nice, (France) ) -39 (Naples, Florida (USA) ) -40 (Hong Kong ) -41 (Santa Clara, CA (USA) ) -42 (Quito, Ecuador (South America) ) -43 (Cottage Grove, MN (USA) ) -44 (Paris, (France) ) -45 (Manila (Philippines) ) -46 (Brussels (Belgium) ) -47 (Auckland (New Zealand) ) -48 (Newcastle upon Tyne(England) ) -49 (Houston, TX (USA) ) -50 (Sydney by Nathalie (Australia) ) -51 (Mumbai (India) ) -52 (Anderson, SC (USA)) - 53 - Chelteham

When I'm cleaning windows

 
Well, someone has to keep all the glass sparkling. For those that are interested the George Formby lyric from which I took the title was written in 1936. Here is the lyric - a bit racy for its day -, and here is the clip. Oh yes. France had Charles Trenet, and we had George Formby ;-)

Carbnaby Street

Wander around the corner from Liberty and you are in Carnaby Street. It's funny, I've seen it turn full circle. From when it was an interesting place with old shops and craftsmen jostling alongside the fashion arcade, through twenty years of sheer tourist trappery, to the point today where the interesting places have started to make inroads with the jeans shops.

Talking of jeans shops, did you hear about the Lee "Merry XXXMas" strippers they had in the Carnaby Street store window before Christmas? The YouTube video is here.

This picture is of a tourist event.

No minute ever comes back...

 
It is worth searching out this clock on Liberty's in Great Marlborough Street on the hour, to see George chase his dragon. Over hte years, they seem to have turned into the best of friends because next hour the two will be back for another performance.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Yesterday was Holocaust Memorial Day. Unfortunately I don't have anything to represent that from in London, so the group of thoughtful soldiers outside Euston Station will have todo to make us stop and think for a minute.

Camden Ghosts

 

Trendy and glitzy Camden may be, but there are still some ghosts. This one of Boots the Chemists in Camden High Street probably dates from the fifties. The shop now sells mobile phones.

Camden High Street

 

Going north from Greater London House,you hit Camden High Street, a fashion shopping mecca. A lot of the shops around here go to some lengths to try to make themselves individualistic, like these two.

Snow business

 

Snow in London is sufficiently infrequent to warrant mention. That's why when I woke up on Wednesday morning and found a blanket of snow on the ground I went out to take some pictures. It was all gone by 3 p.m.

Mornington Crescent

 

After yesterday's pyramids, today I have to show you the Egyptian inspired Art Deco building that is Greater London House in Hampstead Road(it used to be called "Black Cat House", where Black Cat cigarettes were manufactured). It is one of the finest deco buildings but far enough from the normal track to be missed by many.

The observant among you will notice that it is also just by Mornington Crescent, which has to be the cue for a game in the comments box. We will be playing be the Eton rules, and stations without Oyster readers are wild. Those that don't know the rules will have to research them for themselves or just pick them up as it goes along.

The Great Pyramids of Paddington

 

Cheops, eat your heart out. I do get a kick on those occasions I see things that you might miss. I was in Paddington Gardens for The Way We See It and saw these huts and immediately I knew what my blog post title was going to be. 

Grade A in "Stating the bleedin' obvious"

Well to be fair, this sign was probably to signify that this ex-building (in Central Street) was now a car park, but with the smiley face, I couldn't just ignore it. 

Another ghost

 
Another ghost is here in Old Street. When I passed by, the fascia of this pace had been removed leaving the old mosaic. 

A nice cuppa....

Every so often, building work uncovers history, rather like archaeology. This sign is at East Ham Station (no relation), and advertises a cup of tea for two old pence - 1p or about 1.5c today.

Just a logo...

As I went past the National Film Theatre on the South Bank, I noticed their logo and thought it looked rather good, especialy in the drab rain. 

Neal's Yard reprise

While we're back in Covent Garden, you may care to visit the salad bar. You may think "Hey, what a great place" and you'd be right. But then you wouldn't know anything about the flour mill and bakery that used to be here, twenty five years ago. There still is a Neals Yard Bakery - just not in Neal's Yard. That's progress.

What's the time?

Several days ago, I said I tell you about Tim Hunkin. You see, the sculpture I was talking about in the window is actually an . automaton. This picture is of his water clock in Covent Garden, and it used to work, too. This is how it used to work, and here is another. They are really too much fun to describe.

Checkout these experiments if you or your kids want some fun, and don't forget his website.

Virtual Insanity

Private Eye is a satirical magazine that carries a mix of cutting edge journalism and very, very funny bits. A regular feature is "Solutions" - reader submissions of euphemisms or newspeak descriptions of businesses. When I saw this on a door in Jermyn Street, it took me a couple of seconds before I realised that a virtual reception was an entryphone. It amused me.

Les Rosbifs

I do hope the French enjoy being called "frogs" as much as I enjoy being called "rosbif". Allow me to present to you the roast beef of Old England. Sunday roasts are a great tradition, and this rib of beef was in my kitchen on Sunday (actually, it was last week I had everyone round). Roast beef and yorkshire pudding, with the potatoes cooked under the meat. Is there a better meal? I doubt it.

Visiting London

Look! nothing to steal! This parisian driver has fitted in well to London life and knows how to look after his property. A Range Rover just out of shot had its rear window smashed.

Bit windy lately

It really was windy in London this week. When I saw this deceased umbrella, it struck me that it was such a versatile "rorschach blot" type shape. Looks a bit like a cave painting or a bullfight, maybe an ultra modern chair. What can you see? Oh alright, you want more links about rorschach... including a test you can take? OK.

Bleeding Hearts

  

Today,I'd like you to venture into Bleeding Heart Yard with me, to find the Bistro and Restaurant there. Nearby to the Mitre, you will congratulate yourself as a true Londoner for finding this little cobbled cul-de-sac and useful restaurant. The story goes that the street is named after Lady Elizabeth Hatton who was murdered there. More history here.

Another Mystery

I didn't think I was going to post another in the "Bloghuh?" series. Turns out that I am. On the day that Presibent Bush commits yet more lives to the disaster in Iraq, I bring you a picture of the American Embassy in London.

There are so many mysteries here. From, "why the heck did we get involved?" through to "what do we do now?" The biggest one is "how can such attrocities be perpetrated in our name?" or even "When will we know the truth?" Sure, there was death and destruction with Sadaam in power but at least it was his mess. This is ours.

The photo is in black and white. The problem isn't.


Read more about things that mystify others at participating Bloghuh? blogs this week by clicking on these links: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
- 13


Why not join in bloghuh yourself?

The Mystery

In one part of the wider non-photo led blogosphere, a small corner has been turned over to Bloghuh? - a communual blog on the mysteries of life and the universe. I thought I would join in.

This picture tells a London story - but what story? Why would a pink teddy bear end it all in Euston Centre - a place so dismal and anonymous you can hardly find it on a map? Failure in love or business? Jetisoned after years of care as a result of adolescence? Was the colour pink fearfully significant? The puddle was shallow - maybe it was just a cry for help gone terribly, terribly wrong? The mystery is profound.

Read more about things that mystify others at participating Bloghuh? blogs this week by clicking on these links: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
- 13


Why not join in bloghuh yourself?

Eduardo Paolozzi

Further along high Holborn, a sculpture by Eduardo Paolozzi. For all the Italian name, a Scot.

The sculpture is called "The Artist as Hephaestus" - the only Greek god to do any work, he is the patrol of all craftsmen, especially those working with metals. Here is a more general view of the statue.

Roll up to Old Holborn

If you want to have an idea of what London looked like 500 years ago, you have to come here to Staple Inn in High Holborn. Built in 1586, as far as I know it is the only building of its type still survivng from before the Great Fire of London in 1666. Barring a small hiccup involving a flying bomb in WWII, it is still intact. History is here.

The Hogfather

Turns out Santa's transport was a little more sophisticated than a push bike......

You can't see it, but Rudolph's nose flashes.

I promise - no more Santa stuff till next year.

Bye Bye Santa

Today is the Feast of Epiphany, ignored in England but quite a big day in a lot of other countries. I confess I don't know much about it, but you do say goodbye to Christmas for another year. Sorry for the camera shake, but when I saw Santa riding down Curzon Street I had to grab the shot.

Ede & Ravenscroft

Back in the 17th Century, Cromwell led his zero-haired roundhead army against the long haired cavaliers. When the dust had settled, what better way to bridge the differences than to put all judges in wigs? Well, we still do it, and Ede & Ravenscroft in Chancery Lane is the place to get them - they have been making them since the 17th Century.

Beau Brummell

If you say "Beau Brummell" people - if they think of anything - think of an overdressed dandy. It was he, after all, who was the very first dandy. However he was, in fact, the master of understatement. He is widely reputed to have been the instigateor of men wearing suits. His life story is colourful as well.

This statue of him is in Jermyn Street.

Banksy

A good start to the new year in London has to be a Banksy, this one is at the top of Hatton Garden. I like what he did with Paris Hilton

New Year's Day Parade

Today, a bit of American glitz at the New Year's dayLondon Parade. there was a lot more on the parade, but I like the idea of these kids travelling around the world to show us how it's done.

Happy New Year - The Daily Photo Theme Way

Today's worldwide Daily Photo theme is "My best photo of the year", I finally decided on this one from February 3rd. There were ten runners-up

52 Daily Photo sites are participating in the 1st January theme, please use the links to below to visit them.

Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day.

1 (Porto (Portugal) ) -2 (Albuquerque, NM (USA) ) -3 (St. Paul, (USA) Kate ) -4 (Greenville,SC (USA) ) -5 (Stayton, OR (USA) ) -6 (Szentes (Hungary) ) -7 (Hyde (UK) ) -8 (London (UK) ) -9 (Dubai (UAE) ) -10 (Buenos Aires (Argentina) ) -11 (Shanghai (China) ) -12 (Nelson (New Zealand) ) -13 (Twin Cities, MN (USA) ) -14 (Joplin MO (USA) ) -15 (Stavanger (Norway) ) -16 (Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) ) -17 (Not Strictly Seattle, WA (USA) ) -18 (Jakarta (Indonesia) ) -19 (Auckland (New Zealand) ) -20 (Sharon, CT (USA) ) -21 (Evry (France) ) -22 ((Aust) John ) -23 (Newcastle upon Tyne (England) ) -24 (Paris (France) ) -25 (Bandung (Indonesia) ) -26 (Brussels (Belgium) ) -27 (Minneapolis MN (USA) ) -28 (Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) ) -29 (Seattle, WA (USA) ) -30 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -31 (Singapore by Zannnie (Singapore) ) -32 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -33 (Santa Clara, CA (USA) ) -34 (Houston, TX (USA) ) -35 (Sydney by Nathalie (Aust) ) -36 (San Diego, CA (USA) ) -37 (Vancouver, BC (Canada) ) -38 (Singapore by KeropokMan (Singapore) ) -39 (East Lansing, MI (USA) ) -40 (Sydney by Sally (Australia) ) -41 (Tucson, AZ (USA) ) -42 (Nottingham (UK) ) -43 (Sequim, by Norma ) -44 (Hong Kong ) -45 (Vantaa, Finland ) -46 (Kyoto (Japan) ) -47 (Tokyo (Japan) ) -48 (Chattanooga ) -49 (Santiago (Chile) ) -50 (erlin (Germany) ) -51 (Trondheim (Norway) ) -52 (Delta, CO (USA)) -