Memento Mori

A rather grand but somewhat dilapidated memorial in Kensal Green Cemetery, Victorian London's answer to Pere Lachaise in Paris.

London Gryphon

The gryphons mark the boundaries of the City of London, in this one you can see the spike on the south of London Bridge commemorating the spikes that used to bear the heads of the executed.

Buckingham Palace by Night

Don't know why I didn't use this shot previously, quite atmospheric, only a very little bit Christmas-y. And, the queen is at home.

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange was founded as the centre of commerce in the City during the reign of Elizabeth I, this is the third building to house it erected in the middle of the 19th century. Back when it started, stockbrokers were banned because of their bad manners! The inscription in the middle reads "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof"

Micro-Gastro

If you find yourself in Hampstead, you might fancy a pint and a bite in the Horseshoe, a retro conversion from a Wetherspoon (hurrah!). Although ostensibly a microbrewery, as far as I can see the brews all came from the Camden Brewery just up the road, and none the worse for that. The food is good, with tendency to the pretentious, a plate and a drink is likely going to cost you £12-ish.

Keeping up Standards

This photo is taken in Trafalgar Square, and the feature of interest is the brass plaque in the centre. That was put there in 1876 and are the standards for Imperial measures: One foot, two feet and one yard. I've always wondered if they have ever been used to check dimensions.

Blind Justice

The Roman's god Justita turned into Lady Justice, who turned into blind justice we see commonly now, with a blindfold around her eyes. Unusually, the statue above the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court has her eyes open and uncovered. Apparently, her status as maiden guarantees her impartiality. I was playing around with this double-vision reflection, not sure it worked out which is why it has taken a long while to appear.

The City Lives Beyond

When I saw this, I couldn't make up my mind whether it was clever or just trite. Then, because I couldn't get a decent photo it got sidelined (but desperate times call for desperate measures). What it says, to save you clicking through to the large image is:

"The city lives beyond
Before
All its possibilities

Like a crafty
Mean old bugger

Always asking for more
Before
Pissing it away"

The Royal Albert Hall

The Albert Hall was first going to be called the "The Central Hall of Arts and Sciences", conceived as a partner to the Crystal Palace (which was first erected in Hyde Park, not Crystal Palace. Confused?) But as Victoria's husband, Albert, had died and he had been a champion of the sciences, it was conveniently turned into the "Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences". Victoria went onto mourn him for another 50 years. This is the view from Prince Consort Road, with his statue on view at the top.

St Barthomew the Great

The Church of St Bartholomew-the-Great ("Great St Barts") in West Smithfield managed to survive the Great Fire of London and the Blitz. So, this piece of Tudor woodwork may be amongst the oldest in London. But it does look to me as if he is holding something odd - and possibly rude - in his hand.

Westminster Bridge & Big Ben

It's not that often I take tourist shots, but I suppose I ought to from time to time.

Bullrushes

With Spring around the corner, these rushes that have brightening a local lake through the winter are looking a little bedraggled.

Ninja Knitting!!

Guerilla Street Knitting is striking in the heart of London! (OK, Streatham) Although I am confined to barracks at present, I couldn't let that stop me from telling you about this when I found out, so grateful thanks to Alex for the pictures. Well, trees get cold, too! (and see the barriers in the background) You can read more about them and see the video here and see the rest of Alex's photos here.

Enthusiasm

I came across this bunch of guys a while back, the guitarist was having a smoke in the street and they were all putting together a track in the studio with a video, and quite liked the idea of having their photo taken. Their enthusiasm was infectious.

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale is undisputedly one of the great female figures of the 19th Century, and many that would otherwise have died owed her a debt of gratitude. The exact nature of her contribution is open to discussion by revisionists, however what is little realised is that she was a mathematician, and her strength lay in being able to statistically analyse data and use that result to substantiate her arguments. In an age before Powerpoint, here is the diagram she drew to show how many deaths could be prevented.

The Old Naval College, Greenwich

The Old Naval College is a grand piece of London architecture, seeming very fitting into the feel of the city. Which of course it does, as it was designed tby Christopher Wren, the man whose hand shaped our city more than most.

Never to old to protest

This gent was there when we were protesting against the SOCPA legislation that has proved as damaging and as misused as expected.

The Diptych

By request, I reproduce another two part photo set from 2006.

In and around London, up and down the country, for many years the boot fair has featured large. Flea market? no - nothing that interesting. But come rain come shine, people turn up to sell and buy - - - stuff.

And here is one such ... stuff. Doesn't the poor soul look apprehensive? What is going to happen to me? Have you ever seen such a worried hippo? The end of the story is here.

Everything Changes - Part 2

As I said yesterday, these two shots were taken seconds apart.

Everything Changes - Part 1

A repost of my two favourites - this one and tomorrow's are taken seconds apart.

Abstract London

You may think this is an abstract, but it is the view up the stairwell in the Daily Express building, and another of my all time favourite shots.

March Theme Day - Favourite Part of Town

March theme day is my favorite part of town, which is really the most difficult one I have had to decide on - what one part of London would I say was favourite? I decided that it had to have the Thames in, but it is still hard to choose. The Southbank? The House of Parliament? The London Eye? The Tower of London? The London Skyline? Instead, I decided on the Limehouse Dock, as I think it is where I would start a walk if I had to see London for the last time, and then carry on down to Teddington.

If you want to see how this theme has been interpreted around the world click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Times Passed

I photographed these Roman Road stallholders back in 2006 - they were hoping to retire soon, I don't suppose they are there any more.

And the apologies for re-runs continue, thanks for all the kind words - I may stop apologising. I actually thought I might get out on Sunday to take some photographs, but unfortunately I hurt my knee skiing, so I'm not going anywhere. Ho hum

Speaker's Corner People

A photo from one of the early days of this blog, at Speakers corner on Sunday.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

University of East London

Given that these buildings are deep in darkest Docklands, most people don't get a chance to see them, here's your second chance ;-)


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

On London Streets

I don't often post photos of the less fortunate on London's streets, but there is something in this guy's eyes that almost haunts me.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

London Skyline

Just one of my favourite photos of London.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

Baker Street Irregulars

This Baker Street image deserves another airing. Always amazes me that there are a large number of people who think Sherlock Holmes was a real life detective.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

More Lord Mayor's Show

Another shot from the Lord Mayor's Show last year.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

The Traitor's Gate

The Traitor's Gate by the Tower of London is the entrance that was used by the imprisoned on their way to the Tower.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

Inside the British Library

This original seat is in the British Library, the shadows from the window turning into bars make this one of my favourite photos.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

Gas Streetlights in St James

Standing in the limelight it could be any time over the last two hundred years.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

It's like deja vu, all over again

I'm afraid that's it has finally come to it. A combination of work pressure, leading right up to a holiday which is going to be followed by a visit to hospital for a minor op means that I am going to have to recycle photos from days gone by and post other photos from events I've covered previously. Sorry and all that, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

This shot is one from the Lord Mayor's Show last November, these girls were right at the end of the parade, no idea why.

Don't have a leg to stand on

Do you think this car with personalised number plate might have been part of Heather's divorce settlement from Paul? The disabled sticker is in the windscreen.

The Savoy Hotel

While the Savoy Hotel has recently been refurbished, we tend to forget how much it is woven into London history; it was the first luxury hotel in the city. Here's and extract from a potted history:

The Savoy .... was also the first to be lit by electricity. It had the first electric lifts, known as ‘ascending rooms’. Guest rooms were connected by speaking tube to the valet, maid and floor waiter and to other parts of the hotel. The Savoy later became the first hotel to provide most of its rooms with private bathrooms en suite.

It's also worth mentioning that the amazingly tight turning circle of the London cab was defined so that it could turn in the narrow space by the entrance.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap is the longest running play in the world by a considerable margin; a baby born when it first opened would be nearing retirement now. Legend has it that one visitor was very rude to the taxi driver who took him to the play, and refused to tip. As he was walking away, the cabbie shouted out "XXXXX did it!".

Street Smart

It took me a short while to realise I'd photographed two girls publicising Chicago, the musical.

The Colours of the Rainbow

Riding home from work, I was struck by the lively colours of this office block in Finsbury Square. So, I took advantage of having my camera phone on me. At least, not being green is not just green. Am I the only one who wonders why, in days like these when we are constantly admonished to save power and save the planet, why so many office blocks have all their lights blazing all the time?

More London

More London is not just what you get on here, day after day, but also the name of the new development on the Southbank, between Tower and London bridges. I rather like this shot, with a partial reflection of Tower Bridge just in view and the paving drawing the eye into the perspective.

The View From The Top

If you don't mind the 311 steps, one of the best view of the city is from the top of the Monument. Wren designed it, although it went through several revisions:

Wren at first proposed a pillar with sculptured flames of gilt bronze issuing from loopholes in the shaft, and a phoenix on the summit rising from her ashes, also of gilt bronze. This, on further consideration, he found unsuitable, and then designed a statue of Charles II, 15 feet high. The statue was, however, found to be impracticable on the ground of expense, and the present vase or urn of flames was therefore substituted.

The Port of London Authority

Time was when Britannia ruled the waves, and London was where Britannia ruled. So where the waves were ruled in London was bound to be impressive, and here it is. The Port of London Authority building is truly grand although no longer occupied by the Authority. The PLA is still the controlling authority and still fully privately funded. Read about them. then and now here.

How much pocket money do you get?

This crest over an anonymous door on the north side of Waterloo Bridge shows that it is the the base for the Duchy of Lancaster. It may not ring any bells with you, but it is this that provides the Queen with her personal income - Crown Estates funds go to the treasury, not the Royal Family. The Duke of Lancaster (the Queen) owns property worth over £300 million, on which she earned a net £13M last year. I don't suppose she has to do a paper round to supplement that. The other Duchy is Cornwall, which provides income to the Prince of Wales.

Holy Mocha, Batman

Now I'm as fond of coffee as the next man - well maybe not as I get stroppy when asked to pay over inflated prices for a cup - but it does strike me that this coffee house has gone a little far. Sacred, it is not. This branch of the small chain, Sacred, is in Stamfords in Long Acre.

Xin nian kuai le!

Or, Happy new year in Mandarin. The Chinese New Year was four days ago but for convenience it was celebrated in London yesterday. Chinatown was doubtless thronged with people joining in, after all, any excuse for a party. I took this photo on Saturday while everyone was getting ready. Anyway, a very happy new year of the rabbit to all Chinese readers - and everyone else, too.

Poor Value

Despite the fact that Prisiclla was low on my list of shows to visit, I ended up going there as being the best option for all in the group. So I queued at the ticket booth in the morning and got tickets with £20 off the £70 price. And I have to say, the quality of seats in the Palace Theatre for that money is absolutely appalling. I'm average height but, as you can see, there is just no room. There is less than no room because, even sitting back as far as possible both knees are jammed solid against the seat in front. And, for some reason they have included those dreadful binoculars even though the seats are only 11 rows from the front. I was almost inclined to pay the £1 for the glasses just to get a bit more room, but I suspect this would have been illusory. I am sorry, but this sort of arrangement really stinks and should earn the theatre a deservedly bad reputation. I would not go there again, unless I really had to.

The show? Everything I expected: a professionally staged nonentity of a musical, reasonably entertaining.

Got Film?

It amuses me that there is a whole shop dedicated to the charm of the Lomo camera - a cheap plastic camera whose virtue is ... that it takes cheap looking photos. There are thousands of people who have used this fashionable foible to enter the world of film, so no bad thing. Does it warrant all the fuss? who knows or cares, as long as people enjoy it. And of course by the bye, it also means that film's continued existence is helped, so more goodness. Me? I've no real interest in Lomo as I have film cameras of all shapes and sizes already. I used the digital equivalent to capture this - my new Samsung phone camera.

The Other Side of the Tracks

This is the Stratford Wire Works. Just in the top left corner you can see part of the new Olympic Stadium, but this is just on the other side of the railway track. Looks to me that the new 2012 world is going to pass by here.

This photo comes to you courtesy of those nice guys at Samsung, who have bribed me thrust a new Wave II smartphone into my hands so I can join in their Now Project. Turns out that the camera on it is quite good for a phone, so I'm happy using it and there's likely to be quite a few more from this source over time.

The Shard, again

As promised, here's another of the Shard photos from different places around London, this is my favourite image. It is taken from that fugly building to the west of the Tower of London.

Roamin' around London Wall

Just by Tower Hill station, on the way to the Tower of London, behind this statue of the Emperor Trajan (one of the most renowned emperors) is a wall. Fairly old wall, too, as it is part of the original London Wall built by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago. That was the start of it all. Haven't found many digital photos on the Internet dating from then, though. You can read about the wall here. But anyway, what have the Roman's ever done for us, eh?

February Theme Day: Fountains

The worldwide City Daily Photo theme for February is fountains. I thought in the middle of a cold winter I'd bring you a photo from a hot, hot summer.This is at the fountains in Somerset House.

To see how others have interpreted the theme, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.