Captain James Cook

Captain Cook stands near Admiralty Arch in London, clutching his map and reminding us of what it is like to sail in uncharted waters - if we want to think about it,

The Union Jack

The Union Flag flies over, so it may come as a surprise to hear that it was only adopted officially at the start of the 20th century. It may also surprise you to learn that it features on the flags of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Taunton Massachusetts

October is Here

In London, you are never far away from some woods where often the very ordinary can be very beautiful.

Smoothie Operator

Everything these days is all about the experience, in a very Fin de Siecle manner. Here you have the experience of the frozen smoothie, apparently you are supposed to assemble it yourself. All too complicated for me.

Stationary Station

A few years ago the idea of "Stratford International Station" sounded very much like "Trotters Independent Trading, New York, Paris, Peckham" but here it is, large as life and twice as ugly. I don't think I will ever have the option to cycle 10 minutes from home to a train that will take me to Paris, but it is still quite exciting that they have finally opened it. Read more here and here.

The last days of summer - Pt II

We seem to have been treated to an extra few days of summer, and I for one am not complaining. This is a scene from the park at the end of my road, Wanstead Park.

Shaping Up

Inside the Canary Wharf development there are numbers of pieces of art, this one really plays with your mind. If you think you can guess what it really looks like, take a look here.

October theme Day - a mystery object

The October theme for the worldwide City Daily Photo sites is a mystery object. I thought I'd show something that isn't so much a mystery itself, it's easy to guess what it is, but there are mysteries on the other end of the ropes. Where have they been? What were they doing? Where have they been? Click here to see how others around the world interpreted the theme.

London's Elephants - One not yet in the series

I passed this restaurant, Elephant Royale in the Isle of Dogs and realised that I would have to come back and find an elephant figure here for the series. Potentially, it could be a good find because of its excellent riverside location and (apparently) reasonable prices, will be fun finding out.

Happy Eater

I thought I'd share my breakfast with you; these days I find it easier not to eat before I start in the morning so I break my journey in Hyde Park and have a bite to eat. Cameraphone struggles a bit, but you get the idea. I think I'm lucky.

Reflections on Flying

London City Airport is my very favourite in the world, mostly because I can be at home thirty minutes after landing, including collecting baggage. There's something fascinating about watching planes take off and land though, isn't there?

The narrow and the wide of it

Rather them than me, I caught this flotilla of narrow boats on the Thames. There was one pint in particular where they hit an eddy and it got very ... interesting... for those on board. The Canary Wharf skyline is very New York, though, isn't it?

Old and the New in Docklands

Time was those cranes would have been working night and day, now they are just a reminder of times past. Those houses are what the Docklands does now.

Wiltons Music Hall

Wilton's Music Hall is one of the most hidden of London's secrets, and hard to find even if you know where it is. I would recommend you pay a visit to the world's oldest surviving music hall, if you possibly can.

Out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness

The old carving of the Tate & Lyle's trademark can be see outside their factory in Silvertown, and you can even see the bees in the story. I've always wondered about it, by the time the bees had made their home, the last vestiges of skin would have long gone.

London's Biggest Explosion

This forlorn monument, tucked away in deepest Docklands, commemorates what was probably London's biggest ever explosion. It happened in a TNT factory in Silvertown in 1917, which was purifying TNT against advice of the factory scientists ("manifestly very dangerous") - sited in a densely populated area. Apparently 50 tons of TNT exploded as well as a gasometer and the blast could be heard 100 miles away. 73 people died (amazingly few) but the area was devastated. Read more about it here

The Shipping Forecast

There will be ships in the Royal Victoria Dock. That is the end of the shipping forecast. Not certain what this is all about, a sort-of wet dry dock, although I rather like the image. Anyone know?

The Aquatic Centre

Also visible from Westfield is the Aquatic Centre, shown here. Those strange side pieces rather like wings are extra seating for the Olympics, that will be removed afterwards leaving the inner "pringle".

ArcelorMittal Orbit

Well, that is what this spaghetti Tower of Babel is called, and the one good thing about going to Westfield is that it affords you some of the very best views of the Olympic Park, as it takes shape.

Veni. Vidi.

I got bored and went home. Westfield, Stratford. It's just shops. Shops, shops and more shops. Shops like you can see anywhere in the world. Under a roof without weather. Why on earth are people excited about it? Sure, it's a good thing for East London - everyone else has these shops, why shouldn't we - but there's nothing new here.

Dazzleships

If you don't recognise the reference of the title, you can read about it here. I was reminded of it last week outside the Excel. It couldn't be this wee as I wouldn't be allowed to stand there, as the arms fair is on. I very much like the Space Hijackers creative move to get publicity. Dazzle Ships was also the title of an OMD album)

The Meaning of Sport

Half of the National Portrait Gallery Road to 2012 exhibition deals with the people behind the administration, half with the frontline athletes. The athletes have been photographed, together with a a person who inspires them. I wanted to show you this image of Anna Sharkey, playing Goalball. The eye shade blackouts are worn by all, allowing even partially sighted players to compete on an even footing (and possibly prepare for a time when they have no sight). I feel humble. If I had doubts before, I don't now - I am going to the paralympics.

The Magician

I was fortunate to be invited to the National Portrait Gallery Road to 2012 exhibition. Everyone can go, for free, but we got treated to a talk by the curator, Anne Braybon, who conjured this show together. Here you see an example from the half of the exhibition showing the people behind the scenes. The photo is of Paul Deighton the Chief Exec of the games preparation.

Dead End Gate

There's a little park in the back of nowhere in Docklands where you can see the gates from the Harland and Wolff shipyard, from 1924, now defunct. I've always imagined that the pearly gates would look a little like this.

The Thames Barrier

Public access to the barrier and most of the photos are on the South bank, but you can get a vantage point on the North Bank - just not that easy to find by accident.

The Shard Again

I think I've found what is going to be the definitive point to take Shard photos from - More London. That's a name of the street, not a description of this blog.

Dear me

As promised, my favourite photo from the Thames Festival. And no, I can't tell you how dear it was.

At a loose end? Nothing loose here

It's the end of the summer and the Thames Festival time again, I would really recommend a visit. This year, there seem to be far more craft and small business stalls. Oh yes, and one or two people, too. I'll show some other photos over the next days for thise that can't make it.

What's your job like?

Does it involve a lot of hanging around?

The LSE is slipping

Or at least, it looks as if their fascia is, on their building in Kingsway. Another understated artwork that people can walk past every day without noticing - if they don't look up.

On the move....

Saw this amended road sign at the south end of Harley Street, what's so much fun is that nobody notices it.

The Softer Side of Docklands

Many people visit Canary Wharf and never discover the Jubilee Park, which is a shame. It is a most surprising area and a welcome place to sit on a sunny day to munch a lunch.

Docklands Reflections

Sometimes, I reflect on big buildings. Sometimes, they reflect on me.

The Lunatics Have Taken Over the Asylum

And do you know what? It runs better. Often people think that you have to be crazy to cycle in London, but the truth is it's the best way to get about London, and on Sunday thousands of people go the chance to try it out on closed roads on the Skyride . It's an excellent start and a really good natured day.

Top Gun!

On Saturday and Sunday, a small corner of Docklands has been given over to become a piece of California for an open air showing of Top Gun and The Lost Boys, with added participation from cast/helpers and the audience. Around 8,000 paid the £25 needed to join in, I believe the event is sold out. I came across the cast members rehearsing earlier in the day - looked like a load of fun to be had. Facebook page here

The last days of summer

This year has been a bit of a miserable one weather wise, but this Friday and Saturday look set to be warm and cheerful - do make the most of them. (this was taken while I was out for a walk on Friday evening, on the Wanstead Flats, just near where I live)

The Eaton Rifles

This brass plaque around the back of Sloane Square puts me in mind of the Jam song, Eton Rifles, which has a fascinating story to it, I especially like the recent addition of Paul Weller's comment on David Cameron.

A Different Perspective

It's Monthly City Daily Photo theme day again, and the theme is Perspective. One thing for sure, this person has a different perspective on London life than you or I might have.

If you'd like to see how this has been interpreted around the world, click here to view thumbnails for all participants

We Love London

This piece of very Banksy-like graffiti appeared in Chiswell Street a little while back. As it seems to allude to the "war" between Banksy and Robbo, I don't think we can be certain who was responsible, can't even be certain if it says "I Love London, Robbo" or "I Love London Robbo", but that doesn't change much.

Sloane Square

Of course, if you don't feel like shopping in Chelsea (as in yesterday's photo) you can always take the weight off your feet in Sloane Square. That is free.

Hurry for a bargain!!

After all, they are half price.

This is Chelsea, after all.

Flowers in the street

It may be my imagination, but I think that the English habit of lining our towns and cities with flowers is echoed but never equalled around the world. I'm not laying claim to the idea, but I do think London looks exceptional at the moment, these flowers are just an ordinary lamp post in Westminster. Somehow adds a small connection between the city and the seasons in the real world.

The Alternative Apple Store

Unfortunately, I don't know the whole story, but I was passing through Soho Square and came across this picture of mountains and a Buddhist temple made out of apples. I don't know why, and don't know who was responsible (although I suspect the Hare Krishna whose excellent Govinda restaurant is just nearby).

Getting Ready

Unusually, I was travelling by tube today, and I thought this advert - getting ready for the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend - was quite clever. It was also good to see that Brian is spreading his wings and branching out into modelling.

A Person of Colour

This new piece of graffiti, just off Brick Lane, has some of the most complex use of colour I have ever seen in street art, it would be good to see more of this person's art - I wonder who it is.

Owzat?

OK, maybe it's just me, but I can't pass by this building without thinking of a game of cricket, "Well caught, old chap". It is, however, the site of the ancient well that gave Clerkenwell its name. If you peer through the windows you can just about see it, it was rediscovered during building works in the 20's.

Spaced Out

Across London and the UK there are hundreds of reasonably elegant buildings like this to let. The reason? These buildings used to be needed to house the millions of clacking relays used to drive the telephone exchanges. Now, all the equipment that used to take up this whole building can be housed in a single computer cabinet.

The Devil is in the Detail

Well, maybe not the devil, but certainly the Green Man, and quite a lot of him too. More than you might expect from a respectable house in Harley Street.

Mosaic

Eduardo Paolozzi has featured here before, in fact I think he is probably the single most significant modern sculptor in London. These mosaics are truly fantastic, but most people take no notice and just rush past, as they form part of the wall decoration in Tottenham Court Road underground station. If you haven't noticed them before, next time you pass through, take the time stop and look at them properly - they are worth it.

Sir might enjoy the oysters?

Astonishing though it is now, at the beginning of the 19th century oysters were cheap and very much a working class food. I suppose the change must have been well underway when Sheeky's oyster bar opened at the end of the 19th century. Joseph Sheekey was the market stall-holder who in 1893 was graciously allowed by Lord Salisbury to sell fish and shellfish on his new manor of St Martin's Court, provided he served meals to Salisbury's theatre-going pals. These days its reputation seems a little variable.