The Proof of this Pudding

You will find plenty in the highlands of Scotland, but as far as I know this place is unique in London. Here, you can buy cask strength whisky and rum, from the cask (not to mention the hundreds of varieties they have in bottles) Caldenhead's Whisky Shop in Covent Garden is a an outcrop of Caldenheads, Scotland's oldest whisky bottlers and one of those fascinating little shops that you really must visit. Those numbers on the casks are alcohol by volume, so that rum is 136% proof. Mmmmmmmmm.

I promised this....

I do keep my promises .... eventually. It seems it was over two years ago that I promised a picture of Chelsea Pensioners in their red uniforms. Well, here they are.

The Chelsea Pensioners, or "In Pensioners" in full because they "live in", are expected to wear these scarlet uniforms when they are around and about. Right here they are mingling with the crowds in Trafalgar Square and having a great time chatting to everyone. The Royal Hospital was founded in 1682 by King Charles II and intended for the 'succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war'. You can find out more about them and hear the personal reflections of some of the pensioners here.

Top tip - what to do in London!

Following Purcell on Sunday, I've been struggling to turn this shot into a suitably interesting photo to accompany one of my top tips for what to do in London - tourists and Londoners alike. Here we are at the Wigmore Hall, and I can tell you that there is nothing in the world so pleasant or civilised as ambling in to one of their Sunday morning recitals. This fabulous hall (originally built by the piano maker, Bechstein) is one of the most intimate performance venues and it attracts some of the very best names (Programes for: June July). As ever, YouTube can take you there: 1 2 3

Reach for the skies!

When the Nat West Tower was built in the shape of the Nat West Bank logo, it broke new ground by its height - it is still the tallest building in the City - and for the sheer self aggrandisement - I can think of no other building in the shape of a corporate logo. Of course, now they've vacated it, it is called "Tower 42" . Not the same, really, and for me it will always be the Nat West Tower.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

A Sad Tale

You may have noticed that I have a resurgent fascination with film cameras - the sort you have to develop before you can see them. So it was a fairly natural step that I lashed out all of £5 for an old camera on eBay - one rather like this. That it didn't work properly didn't bother me as I had the chance to take it apart and make it work; you can imagine that I was quite pleased when I got it back together again. The time had come to put a test film through, to see if it worked. I took myself to my local cemetery to see how it performed and amused myself for a reel's worth of photos. As you can see, the results aren't at all unpleasant. So, where's the sad story? Ah. Well. As I was cycling back, I managed to bounce it on the ground, so there won't be any more pictures from this camera.

The cemetery is the City of London Cemetery.

Another Head

Here's another head - I wonder if anyone who doesn't know can guess the theme. I'll update this with the full story half way through Sunday.

Sorry I didn't fill in the details earlier, I was rather pushed for time last night. This statue is a monument to Henry Purcell, possibly England's finest composer. Listen to the music, say here or here, then tell me this statue doesn't look like his music.Wonderful stuff for a Sunday. The artist is Glynn Williams, and you can see it much better in the large version.

Another view here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

The Surprise Garden

Today's shot is another surprising bit of peace in Covent Garden. This time, in the form of a kerbside garden that is there with no apparent reason and no apparent owner. Coming across this unexpectedly puts a smile on my face each time. A full view of the "garden" is here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

A Peaceful Place

Doesn't this look the most peaceful place? Yet, not six feet from that wall you can see, is one of Covent Garden's main performance areas. I have nothing to do with religion, but every now and then I may step from the hustle of the city to enjoy the calm of a place like this. I doubt there are many places with as bold a contrast outside to in, as St Paul's - the Actors Church.

Built by Inigo Jones in 1633 it stands foresquare against time. It was designed and built as part of London's first "Square".

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Ferret Ears!!

I've wanted to use that title for a blog post for some time now, I never thought I'd be able to. I came across this chap out walking his ferret in Trafalgar Square, we tend to associate ferret keeping with Northern regions, but obviously London isn't exempt. Amazing how the Internet lets you find out more about ferrets than you probably want, isn't it? Oh - you still don't know what I'm going on about with "Ferret Ears"? OK, click here.

My clock is two months slow....

You may have passed by this clock without looking, understandable because it is in the shade of St Paul's Cathedral, but if you have, you've missed a treat. This clock has the time, day, month, lunar phase star sign and in the very centre - Winston Churchill!! The workmanship is exceptional, and I'm not aware of another Astronomical Clock in London (outide of the Science Museum).

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

What's this fo(u)r?

This four is a physical representation of the clever Channel 4 idents, where the viewer sees odd moving shapes that come together to form a "4" when viewed at the right angle.

This 4 is outside the Channel 4 HQ, where they are having experimental public art projects around it.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map.

For the dog that has everything

London is host to some fascinating shops, this one Pets and the City amused me. It's a pampered pets pad, the sort of place you can find diamanté collars in all shades to match your outfits. But this is a Le Corbusier chair. For Dogs. Really. Go on, click through their website and tell me it didn't make you smile.

Arts movement

This is a work by Robert Bradford, made by recycling old plastic toys. You can see his work in an exhibition in the foyer and bar of the Trafalgar Hotel (where I toook the photo yesterday). Rather fun, I thought.

Rooftop View

While in Trafalger Square, I discovered what must be one of the best rooftop views that I would recommend to Londoners and tourists alike. This is the roof garden and bar at the Trafalgar Hotel. The surprising thing about it is that, because of the lack of high buildings in immediate view, it feels a little like Paris (like this shot). You could just wander up, look at the view and go back down, but I reckon you won't find a better view with a drink in your hand. I was there on a Sunday afternoon, and it was pretty quiet. I can also add that the staff were universally friendly and helpful, I will definitely be returning.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Ordinary Londoners - No 15 in a series

When I was walking through Trafalgar Square last Saturday there was a festival of all things Korean (why do I suppose it was arranged pre BoJo?) when I came across Andy and Mikyond in Korean costume, who were getting photographed with the public. I looked at the way they were talking and realting to people, and I knew they were Londoners, sure enough I was right. I love my city.

The Ordinary Londoners series is here.

Super Secret Squirrel!

First, I'd like to point out that I did NOT arrange a security breach just to make my photos topical. But it is fun. Janet asked yesterday if MI6 could be photographed. The answer is yes, I'm only this far away for the composition. Look on the ramp down to the river (left hand side) and you can see people walking.

Now Super Secret Squirrel is quite fun, but for my money, Dynamo Duck is THE most secret agent in town.


See where on the London Daily Photo Map

Secret Squirrels!

As Chaz correctly guessed yesterday, I was wandering around for The Way We See It in Millbank. I couldn't help but be amazed by this entrance way to Thames House which is the home of MI5, the British Secret Service.

Eagle-eyed among you will notice that this shot is taken with the brand new Olympus E520. I will post a review of it on another page soon, but for the moment I'll let the image speak for itself. Olympus took a great camera, and have made it better.


See where on the London Daily Photo Map

For whom the bell tolls

I don't really need to say anything about this, do I? After all, we all know that this is the world's biggest four faced clock and that Big Ben is the name of the bell, not the tower. And you can find out lots (and hear the chimes) on Wikipedia.

Once again, the 30 year old Trip has acquitted itself well (any lack of sharpness is due to being digitised on my flatbed scanner)

London Wildlife

I spent most of Sunday walking London streets, and so I have several photos to share, some quite OK. But I'm tired now, and a chicken is always a chicken. If this leaves you with a hankering for more of London's flora and fauna, you can do no better than this.

Chuggers

I'm convinced that chuggers ("Charity Muggers") are not a London phenomenon, but I haven't seen them in many other places. Here they are psyching themsleves up to do battle with the passing public ... "Let me see your smile"

Market Caff

This looks like the architypal British caff, and indeed, a few years ago it was just that. Just by Borough Market, it was one of the places the market porters used to use to keep their strength up. Nowdays? It says "Ciabattas" and "Cappucino" on the windows. Make your own mind up.

Bankside Gates

You may have passed them by, but the Bankside Gates by the Globe Theatre really merit closer examination. The figures were inpired from the animals, insects and characters in Shakespear's plays, and 125 of the best made by blacksmiths around the world were selected to adorn the gates. See a wider shot of the gates (with the Olympus Trip) here.

The Rootmaster

Hairdressers in the UK are known for their excrutiating puns - one of my favourites was a place called "Curl up and dye" but I think this vegetarian restaurant might just beat them all. In case you didn't know the bus is a classic London Routemaster. Located behind Brick Lane, you can find out more on their website here. I've not tried them out yet but I well might - it looks rather fun.

In memory of Helen

Today I attended the funeral of a friend, a close friend of Mrs Ham. Brought down by cancer, she had been one of the most vital people you would ever meet. She wore her acute intelligence lightly and always had time for others; there was a lot of heart in her small frame. With a ready smile and inquiring mind, she was always good company, always a person you would trust. Many, many people counted her as a true friend.

This photo was taken in the Ardeche in 2006. We were families on holiday together and she was recovering from cancer treatment yet still mustered the strength to join me for a 25 mile cycle ride. That should tell you a lot about her.

Helen, we will miss you, but are happier for having known you.

No. 1 London Bridge

This Escher-like building was entirely surprising when it was built in 1986, and walking around it is still an odd experience. It sits on the south side of London Bridge; I was there for The Way We See It, with the trusty old Olympus Trip and film. Here is the building modelled in 3-D.

One good corner shop deserves another

Of course, the ultimate "corner store" has to be Fortnum & Mason in St James. It's where the queen pops out when she runs out of sugar and she has guests coming round. Ever since Harrods has been trashed (except if you are a magpie looking for shiny stuff) Fortnum's is really the only place to go - since 1761. OK, it's a fair cop - I don't shop here from one year end to the next, but I'd like to. However, it really is one of the places you must visit in London, well before Harrods.

You may notice the clock which was - even though you may think it old - made in 1964. On the hour, Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason pop out and bow to each other.

June Theme Day - the Corner Shop

The June theme for the worldwide City Daily Photo blogs is "Corner Shops", and although I considered a photo of a shop where they sell corners, I opted instead for the straight story for once.

A lot of London's corner shops sprang up in the seventies and eighties - Asians expelled from Idi Amin's Uganda came over here and many opened shops. By working hard with their families, they made livings out of them. Just like my local corner shop and Mr Jagdesh Patel, who has built this cornucopia, an Aladdin's cave, here since 1981, and now part of the very fabric of the community. But countrywide their existence is threatened by changing shopping habits and the incursion of the mega-supermarkets into their territory. We can't and probably don't want to stop the world turning, but I suspect that we will have lost something when the last of these establishments is steamrollered by progress.

You can see that it is a true corner shop by the outside photo, here. See where on the London Daily Photo Map

This month, 174 blogs have said they will join in the theme day, some may forget, some are on other time zones, but click around to explore the world by its corners or Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
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