St Stephen's Tower

After all, you can't see the bell inside, and that's what Big Ben is.

Show us yer boat

Alongside the bike show (and included in the price, £0 in my case) was the boat show. Perhaps someone can explain to me, why??? and then maybe, how??? In this vast arena were hundreds of vessels - very, very many with price tags that would make you wince. I can understand anyone sailing, and some were clearly aimed at that sector. The real money were the ship equivalent of wearing an overly expensive watch. It performs exactly the same function as a £5 watch, but lets people know you can spend £75,000 instead (or more. All those people. Where DOES all that money come from, in this "recession"?

Bike Polo

I tried water polo, but my horse drowned. This variant looks like good fun and is increasing in popularity in London, most bike-centric events seem to stage a few rounds. I think I may just observe from the sidelines, though.

Fit for Everyone

I'm sure they must exist in other places around the world, but the first time I saw this type of exercise machine for public use was in China. There, given the size of their homes and the population density it made perfect sense, and what is more they were used most of the time. I'm less convinced about this in London, but it seems like a good idea if people do use them.

Wipeout!

This bit of graffiti in Rathbone Place just amused me.

London's Elephants - No. 40 in the Series

While this heffalump was originally in the Elephant Parade, it has since been adopted and can be found ont he north side of Oxford Street, near Marble Arch. Say Hello to Ella May.


The elephants series is here.

Ordinary Londoners - No 24 In the series

And this is Paul, who works in Hobgoblin Music, and part of the charm of the place. I asked if I could take his portrait - "only if it is in black and white" - my pleasure to oblige. He was making quite a good noise come out of the concertina. Fascinatingly it was invented by Charles Wheatstone, a Victorian inventor more famous to me for the Wheatstone Bridge (an ingenious way to measure electrical resistance). They don't make them like that any more.

The ordinary Londoner series is here.

Hobgoblin Music

One of the places to go in London, and therefore in all probability the world, for acoustic and folk instruments is Hobgoblin Music in Rathbone Place. If you think that's a bold claim, do you know anywhere else you can buy a portable didgeridoo?

Charlotte Street

In days gone by, back in the 20's, Charlotte Street was one of the most happening London Streets, home to the Bloomsbury Set in Fitzrovia. It is a tribute to the persistence of habit that it is still one of the more interesting restaurant streets in London, with a Filipino restaurant just down from Chez Gerard. If you are visiting London, this area would be high on my recommendation list to eat in.

Cool Stuff

London is full of cool stuff, like this gallery in Percy Street. I'm afraid I can't remember much about it, except it was in Percy Street.

Taking Time Out

Time Out is a cornerstone of London life, they have consistently been the listing magazine to find out what's on, no matter what you taste or proclivity. Their offices are in Tottenham Court Road.

Feast Your Eyes at Gaby's

Gaby's Deli in Charing Cross Road has been part of London's backdrop for as long as I can remember; one of the best places for a sandwich or falafel in the area - as you might guess from this salt beef sandwich. Unfortunately its days are numbered as he is due to be evicted in May to make way for a restaurant chain. Just what we need, eh? You can join the facebook group to save Gaby's here.

Imagined Lives

The National Portrait Gallery off Trafalgar Square is running a story competition at the moment called "Imagined Lives". The pictures you can see (and ten others) were originally attributed to be of known people, but it has been discovered that we don't know who they are. For example, the lady was thought to be Mary Queen of Scots...but isn't. Your task, should you wish to accept it, is to create a story of up to 300 words to accompany one of the portraits. It's running till 22nd July, so you have plenty of time, find out more here.

A Seasonal Market

Covent Garden Market is still very festive, what's more some of the stalls are worth visiting, too.

Skating on Thin Ice

There are increasing numbers of ice rinks appearing in London year on year, but Somerset House is one of the more established ones. Times and tickets are here, but apart from the ticket price, you will have to pay a "booking fee" - what on EARTH is that about, if there is no way you can purchase tickets without it? (including on site) That sort of underhand practice makes me really cross.

5 a Day!

London's fruit stalls very often have excellent quality fruit, some pick up the supermarket fruit that is past it's sell by - so perfectly ripe to eat. This one is good to look at even when it is closed.

Happy New Year

With the first of the month (and the first of the year) comes a worldwide City Daily Photo theme day. As ever, the January theme is the best photo of the previous year. My selection combines the London griffon with the London Bridge spike, commemorating where people's heads used to be stuck as a warning to potential London wrongdoers in the days gone by.

To see what others around the world have selected, Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Whoopsie!

This new sculpture in Soho Square may be Art... but to me it just looks like someone falling off a horse.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Oxford Street - the shabby end

This is why Hanway Street survives as it is - it is attached to the shabby end of Oxford Street. You know, that bit of it that makes every Londoner feel ashamed. Nobody notices Hanway Street in all that.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Back Beat

There are increasingly few interesting back streets in London, that retain an air of shabbiness. Most places are either genuinely shabby or tarted up. This is Hanway Street, though, hidden between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Stuff you won't be able to see yet #3

And this is what it is all about - the games. This is the handball arena, I don't think it will be that empty come the day. London prepares, alright - I'm looking forward to the thing, even though it is going to be chaos for a couple of weeks. Roll on summer!!

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Stuff you won't be able to see yet #2

Up close and personal with the Mital Orbit - this looks like it will be real FUN.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Stuff you won't be able to see yet #1

The Olympic Park is open and ready for action if you are involved in any of the test events. Mrs Ham, being involved in a local school, was invited to one such and so over the next few days, a mini preview.

This walkway is made from a very soft tarmac, it will be awesome to see it thronging with people.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Another Happy Christmas

I saw this left by a pavement artist in Covent Garden. The inside says "Today I earned 29p, Please don't expect a beautiful picture." Leading me to the conclusion that either (a) the artist is in the wrong profession or (b) a little poetic license has been exercised.

Whichever, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy New Year.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Happy Christmas

The humble LED may have a lot to answer for these days, but I confess to a sneaking liking for houses done up like a Wild West Bordello, especially when they have put a bit of thought into it, like here.

Happy Christmas all, hope you have a great time over the holiday season, wherever you are, whatever you are doing and whether or not you celebrate. Just enjoy people smiling.

Off on hols at the mo, back in a while, pictures should continue daily if the technology works.

Soho Square

Somewhat surprisingly I have never featured this, the half timbered building at the centre of Soho Square. Visitors may wonder if it is genuine, as it seems so out of place, but it is not - the history of the square goes back to the late 17th Century.

Looks like rain, dear

For some reason this year, real reindeer have been popping up around London, they do look like fun and they do have novelty value in their favour.

The Heart of the Matter

I saw this chap idling away the time, and I couldn't help but think it was a character from a Graham Green novel, come to life. It takes all sorts in London

Orc's Nest

London plays host to many shops that would find it difficult to eke out an existence elsewhere, and the Orc's Nest is one of those.

Looking For London

I do like tourists visiting London and I have NEVER been guilty of misdirecting them; doesn't this picture tell a story?

A Hidden Building

Tucked away in Hanway Place, behind Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street is this building: the Westminster Jews Free School, built in 1882. Searching around I came across the London Metropolitan Archive who apparently have 4m of their records for anyone to examine, which sounds fascinating. Also came across the recollections of someone who went there. Worth a little detour if you are in the area, and besides it is the easiest way between the two roads and I bet you've never seen it.

Christmas Rock

I rather like the Christmas hat on the "We Will Rock You" figure in the Dominion, Tottenham Court Road. It's one of those shows I'd like to see, but never got around to.

Strange Art

If I told you I saw this in a modern art gallery, you might well believe me. In fact, it was what remained on the wall of the tube after advertising posters had been pulled off. I rather like it, though. Maybe I'm a bit weird.

Cultural Ties at Nancy Victor

Always good to find original shopping ideas, and Nancy Victor fits the bill. They have a fascinating range of very different objects (like a "Piss Off" cross stitch sampler....) and it was only when I started looking about I found out what they are about. The ties are part of a fascinating exhibition. Worth a visit if you are searching for something that bit different for a present.

Naked Tower

I'm still not quite sure what has happened, because for years the Telecom Tower (Post Office Tower to those of us who remember it going up) has had its profile protected by planning, despite the dishes not being used for anything for many years. And now, they have all gone. Don't know why, but all the microwave dishes are now gone.

A Blue-ish Plaque

I came across this rather off the wall blue plaque on the wall by the Newman Arms pub in Newman Street. He sounds like a character.

Let me show you how to walk the dog

This is the last of the green chain walk photos, just a photo of a man walking his dog.

Old Style

I don't often travel by tube, I hadn't realised that these old lamps, woodwork and brass were still in any stations; this is St John's Wood station. Thankfully, the old wooden treads have all been replaced with metal, post the Kings Cross fire.

Winter Wonderland

The thing about these small markets, is you get small sellers. People that have made and crafted a few items, and you have the opportunity to buy them. That's what's happened here - a few gingerbread houses, beautifully crafted with love and care. You won't get items like this from any chain store. No point me trying to find a website it doesn't exist. Aren't they fantastic?

Merry-go-round Christmas

There seem to be more high street fairs set up this year, or maybe I've just seem more. This one is St John's Wood High Street. Maybe the retailers are struggling to find ways of making us part with our cash.

Ordinary Londoners - No 23 In the series

I've been very lucky over the years, at the Three Wine Men on Sunday I got to meet Oz Clarke, my wine hero. His attitude drew me into the world of wine - to quote from his website "Wine is all about pleasure, If it doesn’t give you a buzz, there’s no point to it.". His books about supermarket wine hurrrumph years ago made the journey accessible, and when I had the resources and the fortune to experiment more, I trusted his judgement more than anyone else.

Let's raise a glass to a champion Londoner, cheers Oz!

The ordinary Londoner series is here.

Three Wine Men

What is your idea of heaven like? I got a small glimpse of my personal one this weekend, when a visitor to this site invited me to attended The Three Wine Men, a festival of wine tasting, combine with the odd bit of a cheese stall. Perfection. I had a wonderful time, my regret is that there won't be another until next year, so although I would encourage anyone who thinks this sounds interesting to go, it will be a while before you can. Ah well, I enjoyed myself. I left the vintage port till the end......

Lesnes Abbey

We've arrived at the historical high point of the walk, Lenses Abbey, with a history that dates back to 1178. In the distance, you have the ugly tower blocks of Thamesmead, allegedly one of the worst places to live in London. Somehow, I think it will be forgotten sooner than the abbey.

The Herald Angels

We interrupt this walk once again to bring you .... Christmas. There is something quite magical about the wafting tones of the Salvation Army brass with familiar carol tunes, arriving by surprise one evening. They were outside this evening, and it felt like Christmas is on its way.

The Greenest Man

Moving along the walk to Lesnes Abbey Wood, coming across this carving on a lightening struck tree is quite surprising. Depressing when you realise some people have obviously tried to burn it, but still.

Lights, Camera - Theme Day!

The subject of the December theme day in the worldwide City Daily Photo sites is "Action", a BBC outside broadcast cameraman in front of the Bank of England seemed to fit the bill.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants, and see how they have interpreted the them.

Light up for Christmas

I interrupt the walk one more time to bring you my view of the Oxford Street lights as
I ride through in the morning. They are rather good this year, and getting me in the mood for Christmas already.

Ye Old Leather Bottle

As you continue on the walk, through Frank's Park (a piece of woodland once the grounds of a large house, preserved and donated to the council by the widow of Farnk Beadle) you come across this unprepossessing pub. At first glance it looks like another faux-named modern monstrosity, but actually dates from 1643 when this would have been part of a main London-Dover thoroughfare. There seems to be quite a few "Leather Bottles" along this route.

Autumn Colours

Back on my Green Chain Walk, I was lucky last week to find the last days of autumn. This last week with the onset of the cold nights, the leaves have dropped like - well, like autumn leaves.

Theatre in the Round

We interrupt this walk to bring you news of a show - La Soiree at London's Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, the building where trains used to turn around. I went last year and was blown away by the talent, energy and sense of fun this adult circus delivers. Based on the performance I saw, while still able to entertain with things no human ought to be able to do, this show is a little less edgy than the one on the South Bank last year, so you could probably take your granny. Having said that, I suspect it varies from day to day, so probably best not take your kids. Last year I got to take photos as at special press session, so I can bring you a flavour of the show with some images here, here and here.