No change

This is the first of a triptych - this is titled "No Change" - I took it to expresses the elemental quality of stone carving.

I was in Change Alley, one of the City of London's singular, short, alleyways that are at the same time anonymous, insignificant and yet redolent of history. There is no way I would have gone gone here taking photographs if The Way We See It hadn't sent me. I'm quite pleased with my triptych - click here and then on each image to progress to the next. I hope you enjoy it. (Note: don't ignore the titles below the photo) See the images from everyone in thumbnail here.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Cycle-logical matters

Here's a useful thing - the London Bicycle Company, a place that will rent you a bike and helmet to ride round London, they even do some great guided tours.

Here's another reason for hiring one - to join in this Saturday coming London Naked Bike Ride. It's a few hundred people who are prepared to make a meaningful gesture to draw attention to the cause of helping curb car culture and reduce dependency on oil. They face cars with nothing but their naked bodies. Your first reaction might be amusement, but just think for a moment - what have you done lately? and then, why not? London Daily Photo may have the opportunity to bring you more from the ride over the next days. If you can, why not join in? Naked isn't essential, bare as you dare.

Just remember. No helmet jokes please.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Do you need a screw?

For more years than I can remember Clerkenwell Screws has been in .... Clerkenwell Road. Behind a small unassuming door close to the west end, you can get just about any fixing you can think of, and a large number you probably never want to.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Lloyds Registry

This weathervane sits on top of the Lloyds Registery building in Fenchurch Street. Its history dates from the meetings in the same coffee house (Edward Lloyd's) that in 1760 gave rise to Lloyds Insurance. It's odd to think that every vessel in the world (over 100 tonnes) is in their books. It's all about safety.

The detail on the weathervane is incredible, especially as you can hardly see it from street level, it's even got golden rigging.

This building dates from 1901, and is worth a closer look, if only for the friezes above the doors. Here is an engraving of the site in 1816.

See where: London Daily Photo Map.

Ordinary Londoners - No. 2 in the series

You want to know how much people enjoyed the ballet last night? This is how much. Meet Lucy Smith, who lives and works in London, as a Policy Researcher, and thinks London is an altogether great city to be in.

The Ordinary Londoners Series: No 1

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Ballet in Trafalgar Square

Tonight, London's Trafalgar square played host to a giant screen broadcasting Swan Lake live from the Royal Opera House as part of The Summer of Big Screens. It's a series of free relays of ballet and opera to giant screens the length and breath of the country. There was an almost magical atmosphere there, with thousands of people enjoying the spectacle. Which is why I chose this photo instead of the other also-rans. Unfortunately I didn't manage to do the "Swan Fountain" shot I was trying.


See where: London Daily Photo Map

The Horse Hospital

I'd like to tell you this is where you go to get your horse serviced, but times have changed. The place is an arts centre now.

Some history and interior photos on this page. It makes me smile that, although built in 1797 it was built to be accessible by wheelchair. Well, OK, by horses. Same difference, horses don't like steps either.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

The Seamy Side

This picture was taken in one of the less solubrious parts of Central London - Kings Cross. It was TheWay We See It that sent me down there. Unfortunately, the picture quality on this very strange rent boy wasn't quite up to it. I rather liked the combined threat and hoplessness in this one.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Do Not Adjust Your Set

On a wet and cold (7 degrees) bank holiday in London, the Tate Modern has considerable appeal.

The Tate Modern is challenging - a lot of the pieces might leave you wondering, "couldn't a five year old do better?" but then, you find that they made you think... and isn't that the point of art - to make you see the world in a different way?

So I could have left you with Rodin's kiss, some challenging African art, a bit of Lichtenstein, but here is a shot of a room that just makes you want to leave.

See where London Daily Photo Map

All the fun of the fair

It's May Bank Holiday, and it's chucking it down with rain. Which makes me thankful that I went to Paradise Gardens yesterday, just as the rain arrived. I feel sorry for all those who put so much effort into the event, the weather this year has been so foul. To do the event justice, I'd have to write pages on what was there and just why it felt so friendly. Skip over to the Diamond Geezer if you want to read up on Carter's Steam Fair. I was there last year, and it rained, too. Here is the "also ran" photo from the day.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

The East End Elvises

These guys are the East End Elvises. Want to meet them? Just turn up to anywhere in London you've heard that there will be music. Another photo of them in action here, a Flickr group devoted to them here and vid here.

More about the location (Victoria Park) and occasion tomorrow.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

This is not a brothel

Really. This is the door of an office in Meard Street, Soho. You can only imagine the frustration that must have led to this plaque being screwed on the door (ooo! I couldn't help myself).

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Clever Hands

These hands belong to Doreen Gittens, who weaves the most fabulous fabrics, fabulously fine and full of subtle colours, if you are anywhere near the Oxo Galleries on South Bank, you should visit her shop, Archipelago Textiles. Chances are that you'll see her weaving her magic.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Corpus Christi

I'm not a big church person, but walking down Maiden Lane, as you pass by what looks like an ordinary doorway, you notice this statue in the entrance to Corpus Christi Church.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Finsbury Circus

Finsbury Circus is another one of London's hidden spaces. While it isn't as hidden as some, most people seem to pass by on the main roads, which is a shame as this is a little gem. It's the oldest park in the city, the gardens win awards, and there is a bowls club in the middle of it. It's also The Way We See It location this week. This is what it is like at lunchtime.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Ordinary Londoners - No 1 in a series

Welcome to "Ordinary Londoners", a new series of portraits and stories.

Meet Len. An ordinary Londoner, born nearly seventy years ago in Kings Cross, he's been a shoe repairer ever since he started work at 15. For the last thirty years he has had a shop in Woodford. He also told me the story of the man and the woman who came into his shop with the handcuffs that wouldn't undo, but I can't repeat that story here.

It's worth knowing he's here if you need your shoes repaired properly - there are very few left as talented as Len any more.

London Daily Photo Map

Bar Billiards

Friday night I went out for a bike ride with the friendly bunch of folks who are the Friday Night Ride. It's the best of urban cycling, which means that it involves strategic stops at interesting hosteleries.

One of these was the Pembury Tavern which has one of the remaining Bar Billiards tables I've seen in London.

London Daily Photo Map

Take time to smell the flowers

Today I visited a fantastic exhibition in the National Gallery titled "From Manet to Picasso" that have the most stunning ccollection of paintings on show. Unfortunatly, you only have until the 23rd to get there - I recommend you do.

London Daily Photo Map

Art for the Gormless

Are you feeling gormless? Does a deficit of gorm affect your life? Then we can halp you. Mr Gormley has spread his gorm across London's South Bank, so that you can appreciate him (and find out about his exhibition). Share and enjoy.

As you might have realised, yesterday's statue was one of the many castings Antony Gormley has made of himself and are placed around the South Bank. Like this one, by the side of the road on Waterloo Bridge, they are unexpected. For me, the art of an artist is to make you look at the world in a different way. and for me, these statues do just that - they make you think. Antony Gormley is most famous for his Angel of the North. More photos here and here

The London Daily Photo Map

Pity the poor gardener

Today, I'm featuring the National Theatre, which is currently sheathed in..... grass. It's the work of Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey. Apparently, 1,875,000,000 grass seeds were involved.

There's the gardener in yellow, watering the grass - I'd love to be around when he mows it. And the chap standing next to him is.... you'll have to wait till tomorrow. OK I know a lot of you may know, but some won't.

London Daily Photo Google Map

You can check out any time you like.....

....but you can never leave.

Welcome to the Hotel Chocolat. I know I teased everyone with the idea of chocolate a couple of days ago - this is the real thing. This hotel chain has shops around the country - including Nottingham - with several in London. I can assure you it tastes as good as it looks.

See the location on the new London Daily Photo Google Map - I'll try to keep it updated each day.

We are not amused

Harking back to my graffiti posts acouple of days ago, there is a Banksy exhibition in the Andipa Gallery, Walton Street. I was quite pleased with this image. But I see, prices are from £3,500 to £100,000 - so who has the last laugh?

Oy! Give us a lift, then!

This is Oybike, a London based bike rental scheme (modelled on those on the Continent) that lets you use a bike for as long as you need, the first half hour is free. You take it from one place and you can drop it in another. It's a fascinating idea, designed to work in conjunction with public transport - the map of London locations is here. I suppose that the scheme becomes more practical the more places there are, but how they don't get nicked from here - Gallions Reach - I'll never know.

London's Elephants - No 16 in a series

It's a pachyderm moment one more time! This one is on Allington House in Victoria. It was created by Barry Baldwin, and here he is in the creative process. I have no idea why it's on this building.


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.
Click for No 13 in the series.
Click for No 14 in the series.
Click for No 15 in the series.

Try everything in life once....

except for incest and folk dancing - either Thomas Beecham or Oscar Wilde.

But these folk look like they are having such fun - even though it is pouring down with rain. They are the Upstreet Morris Dancers, celebrating 20 years of existence and over 600 years of tradition. More photos here and here.

If you had to describe Morris Dance to a foreigner, you'd have to say something like, "It's dance with bells, handkerchiefs and sticks". Fortunately, these days we have YouTube, so I've posted some videos, here ( here,and here.- These last two failed to upload, I'll try again tomorrow) Well, stuff YouTube, after 8 attempts to upload videos. Now we've got Vimeo who seem reliable, quality is better, so videos are here, here and here

Banksy's Heir?

Following on the graffiti theme from yesterday, over the last few weeks, stencil graffiti has been popping up around London signed "Cartrain". Maybe it is Banksy, maybe just in his style. This one is over an old Banksy that was cleaned off on the South Bank, by Blackfriars Bridge. I'll keep an eye out, see what happens, and report back to you.

This shot taken on a camera phone (LG Shine) that the guys at LG lent me to try out.

RackGaki - Japanese Graffiti comes to London

The Stolenspace Gallery in Brick Lane is hosting a free exhibition by some top Japanese graffiti artists until 20th May. Alongside that is the launch of the book, RackGaki which probably means "graffiti", but I forgot to check. This piece was created specially for the show. Other photos are here.

Take yourself down there and you can treat yourself to a proper burger from the cafe at the top of the road.

The Black Truffle

I reckon I can hear the slavering: "Chocolate, chocolate!" from here. Well tough. This isn't a chocolate shop, it is a boutique operated by a school of "Fashion and Accessory Design", in Warren Street. As you may expect, the contents are just that little bit different from the run of the mill. Just the sort of place that is right at home in London. You can see some of the inside here. I liked the door.

We got sole

Today I present a double ententre for your viewing pleasure. This long established, independent (!!) shoe shop has been in the Kings Road for many years. (For non-native english speakers, you need to pronounce this "ahh-soles" to discover the double meaning)

Little bit of London trivia. Up until 1830 the Kings Road was just that - a private road owned by the king for nipping down to Hampton Court.

the Chelsea Physic Garden

The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded by the Society of Apothecaries in 1673 in order to promote the study of botany in relation to medicine, then known as the "physic" or healing arts. It is a most restful place (as you can see) and has only recently started opening regularly to the public.

Just along from the Royal Hospital, it is a small haven. Step in here and you can almost see those intrpid exporers bringing back their trophies from a trip fraught with mystery and danger.

If you are interested in plants, their medicinal uses or the way that plants weave in and out of the fabric of our lives, you really should visit.

Oh yes, we had a bit of a family macro-fest, too. Here are some of the results (<1%)

Paolozzi's Train

I've featured Eduardo Paolozzi's work before, here and here. This odd thing is in the concourse outside Euston Station. It is clearly inspired by trains, but I confess I didn't like it when I first saw it, but I do now. I wonder if that's more to do with my own tastes changing, or have I just grown accustomed to its face?

'ello 'ello 'ello

There aren't many of these Police phone boxes left. All they contain is a phone which connected you to the nearest police station. The irony is, this is in Grosvenor Square, the one place in London all you need to do to find twenty policemen on top of you is sneeze in a suspicious manner. (The American Embassy is here)