The Widow's Son

The Widow's Son is a pub in East London with one of the more quirky backgrounds that you will find. The story runs that at the start of the 19th century, when this was just a house, a widow had a son in the navy. He was due to return home on Good Friday and asked for his mother to bake some hot cross buns. This she did, but he never came. But never the less each year the woman made a bun ready. When she died they were all found hanging from the ceiling. When a pub was built, they carried on the ceremony; each year a sailor brings another bun. You can see the current buns (sorry!) in the net, and some of the sailors hats on a shelf behind the bar (they leave one each year). Tragically, they only have keg beer, no cask.

Click here for another bun picture and my bun recipe.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Bank Holiday Monday Funfair

There is something ineffably sad about an empty funfair. Not just for the barkers and carnies for who it must represent a disaster, but in and of itself - the hollow ring of whitened bones. It was no surprise, given the weather, that few people were there, the bigger surprise was that, as ever, there were a still some stalwarts who hadn't let the freezing weather and the snow put them off.

Two other of my photos are here and here

Please Do Not Adjust Your Set

It's not static on your screen - it is snow. OK, it's my fault. Snow on Easter Day in London, England. You see, I've just replaced the bike that got mashed last July, so I was determined to got out on it whatever the weather. This is what happens. If you want something more seasonal, you'll have to make do with this Easter Bunny I found on my travels. (Photo in the garden Chez Ham.)

Burger, anyone?

The Burghers of Calais is a Rodin sculpture that you can see in any one of a number of places (12, to be exact), the original is still in Calais but this particular one is just by the Palace of Westminster. Rodin's intent was to show that "heroic deeds are performed at great sacrifice by average people".

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Who wants yesterday's papers?

An artist by the name of Sumer Erek did, apparently. He, with help from loads of people turned 85,000 discarded free papers into a house. You can see an article and video about the making of the house here. I saw it in Dalston, now it's off on its travels around the country.

And talking of recycling - have you noticed my new feature on the right hand side? Now, you can click the button and get taken to a random page from the more than 800 daily photos in this blog.

Pied Bull Yard

Pied Bull Yard is another of London's hidden gems, not even on the map, close by the British Museum. In this small yard, apart from the camera shops, I give you two compelling reasons to visit. The London REview Bookshop is an exceptional bookshop in these days of best seller dominance. Then, there is Truckles, a wine bar that takes you back in feel to Dickens' London, worth visitng for the pleasure of a pint of ale served in a pewter tankard.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Bijou Residence

The Camden Bus estate agents (in Camden, oddly enough must have one of the more original office buildings, and one of the most memorable for a London business. This gent outside is clearly waiting for them to open in order to acquire a suitable residence.

A view of the political battleground that the Routemasters left behind can be read on the Diamond Geezer.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Dance Yourself Dizzy

For this week, The Way We See It took me to Cecil Court, a short passage stuffed full of interesting shops. Antiquarian and specialist bookshops, curios and antiques, art galleries - they are all here. And at the St Martin's Lane end - Freed and more ballet shoes than you can pirouette at.

See where on The London Daily Photo Map

London's Elephants - No 23 in a series

The Worshipful Company of Cutlers is one of the City's livery companies, dating back to the 13th Century, it gained it's Royal Charter in the 15th Century. The elephant on its shield probably refers to the ivory that was used for the handles of the best items. Whatever the reason, it means they have possibly the finest pair of knockers in London.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map


The elephant series is here.

The London Stone

The London Stone is an unexceptional looking stone set in a hard to find viewing area of an ordinary wall in Cannon Street. It is also possibly one of the oldest London artefacts, dating back possibly to the Druids, with a history that has often ascribed magical or mystic powers to it. Read all about it here and see what can be seen of it from the street (not a lot) here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Crane Hire

It's a sad fact about my chosen blog format that I can't show two pictures - one that says Crane Hire, and one that says Crane Higher and Higher. In the City of London, come the weekend, roads are closed and the City is taken over by building works. I can tell you, you would have been thankful to be on my bike and not in a car.

Leaky London

Doesn't it always seem as if all the streets in your town are being dug up at the same time? Well if it does, the chances are whoever is arranging it learnt their craft in London. We award degrees in road digging, or so it seems. But look - what street is this ??

Banksy's Latest

The latest Banksy has caused quite a media frenzy, as a result there seem to be a constant stream of people coming to see it. It's interesting to watch how people interact with it - some treat it as a god, some just look, some have fun. It's on the side wall of an independent shop - a chemist - and it's been covered with perspex to protect it. How times have changed.

I'd say the message of this image was clear. That is, unless you have an alternative agenda. I couldn't believe the spin put on the story here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Ordinary Londoners - No 13 in a series

Today's Ordinary Londoner is Kais, a Bangladeshi, 21 in London studying law, and helping out in Express Packaging here. When I asked him what he thought of London he said "boring". What can I say? Kais, get a blog.


The Ordinary Londoners series is here.

Shardenfreude

Shardenfreude (n.) - The pleasure gained when completing a building with some resemblance to a shard of glass. OK, I know this isn't the real "Shard of Glass", instead it is the Broadgate Tower which is claiming its place as 7th tallest building in London. But I couldn't wait to use the line.

It's a very cleverly designed building: the angles used make it look wafer thin. A useless bit of trivia, it sits on a 60,000 tonne concrete raft stretching across the rails going in to Liverpool Street Station.

Those Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud
Of pollution that gives you ills
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of golden daffodils
Beside the road and in the grass
Where at lunchtime you cool your arse

Continuous as the traffic roar
Twinkling like indicators bright
They stretched ahead more and more-
Like endless repeats night after night:

Ten thousand saw I at a view,
Like jolly wardens with jackets new

The cars beside were still; but they
Were stiller still, being plants:
A poet could not but be gay,
Like George Michael with music trance.
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
I’d get arrested and end up in court.

Oft now when in the cell I grace
In vacant or in pensive mood
I consider flashing in a public place
Is truly the essence of something rude
And I damn the cause of my ills
Those silly, silly daffodils.

With apologies to William Wordsworth currently to be heard spinning in his plot in Grasmere, Cumbria at 10,000 RPM.

The Balkan Question

This Sunday, Trafalgar Square was awash with happy Kosovans, pleased with their independence. I wish them well, I really do, but I'm afraid that I think that if history has taught us anything, it is that for every one person made happy in the Balkans, there are two made unhappy.I don't know the answer - I don't even know the question. If you have a spare hour or three, a summary of the Balkan's history is here.

I came away with quite a few shots that I quite like, such as this. If you were there and a guy in a red cycling helmet and yellow jacket took a photo of you, feel free to get in touch for a copy of the picture.

Shattered Dreams

Riding through docklands, I passed by this sight. Not much of a photo, maybe, but it seems a fair reflection of the state of the African Dream.

Queen Victoria

Standing on top of a pedestal by Blackfriars Bridge, Queen Victoria watches the night time traffic drive along Victoria Embankment. She hasn't got bored with it in over 100 years, so I don't suppose she will.

Caviar, anyone?

The lamp standards along the Victoria and the Albert embankments on the north and the western end of the South Bank all have these curious fish on their bases. I suspect that most people would mutter "Dolphin?" if you asked what they were, but in point of fact, they are Sturgeon. Want to see what a real one looks like? Here.

A Story of Love

London is blessed with a very large number of parks, but Clissold Park has to be ranked as one of the most romantic, at least in the story of its background. Back in the 18th century, the local landowner had an only daughter who was courted by the local vicar. The father saw this as a most inappropriate match and refused consent. It was only many years later, when the father died, that they were finally able to marry. And his name? The Reverend Clissold...

The title of this post refers to a Ray Bradbury short story that evokes the sort of time that Abraham Lincoln often writes about. Can I urge you to take five minutes out of your day to read the story ( full text here ) right to the end, I think you will feel the world is a little more human by the end.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map.

Abney Park Cemetery

I suspect that most people have a soft spot for ramshackle, overgrown cemeteries - if you don't know Abney Park Cemetery, prepare to be amazed. Walking through the gates, as you leave the busy street and the dense foliage wraps around you, you feel as if you have stepped into an unwritten chapter of the Chronicles of Narnia.

One of London's "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries, it is almost entirely overgrown. You can see just how much in satellite map picture.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

The Stockwell Memorial

Another contender for the graffiti/mural theme day was the Stockwell Memorial. However, because of the stories around it, I left it until today. The mural itself is has a range of themes, I invite you to visit Mr Onionbagblog's page on the subject to read the background of them all.

The one I've selected here is to commemorate Violet Szabo, probably one of the bravest people you have never heard about. The Wikipedia summary of her life is here, and her dedicated museum site is here. And if you are after interesting, related, stuff to browse - don't forget Leo Marks and his love poem. A view of another part of the mural is here

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Leisure Suit Hammy in the Land of the Lounge Lizards

I couldn't let the O2 visit go by without a comment on the "VIP" area. First, it is huge. There are obviously an inordinate number of important people. Second, I confess they do it well. After you enter the gates having tops of water bottles confiscated (it's an elf and safety fing, mate), you then enter the VIP lounge where - apart from being able to buy water bottles, you can buy a wide selection of good food (mostly cooked in front of you) lounge around and prop up bars (as here) At the appropriate time you go up to your private room (with soft seating and a free bar). The room then leads out into the seating, sandwiched between the two steeply raked banks of seating for the hoi polloi. Definitely the way to go.

I know this isn't the best photo with the menu in the way, but I couldn't resist it or the title. Remember that?

The O2 Dome

I was fortunate enough to be invited as a corporate VIP to the O2 dome to see Alicia Keys. I could carry on at great length on the subject, (and may yet) but let me just leave you with the conclusion - it is a fantastic venue.

March Theme Day - Graffiti

Another month, another theme day. for March, it is graffiti. Over the years and months I've often featured images of the wealth of artistic - and not so artistic - imagery left on walls. So today, I've chosen something a little more cerebral, spied on the side of the hut in Soho square; I wonder if it was done for Valentine's day.



This month 145 blogs around the world have said they will join in, some may forget and time zones differ, but click about and see what they offer: , Motego Bay, JamaicaAdelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wroclaw, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,