A Controversial Statue

Bomber Harris stands outside Clement Dane Church in the Aldwych. Whether he gets a bad press or is a real villain, that's your choice.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

London's Industrial Heritage

There are few factories close to the centre of London these days, Tate and Lyle sugar factory is on of the remaining ones. Of course, just up river you have the Tate Galleries, too.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Thames Festival

A Punch & Judy performer from the Thames Festival - That's the way to do it!

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Bow's Canal BO

Before the Olympics, that is. This photo was taken before the Olympics moves in, on the left, itt doesn't look like this any more.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from the archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Uncle Sam

A small detail from a mural in Lower Marsh.

Running on empty - I'm off on holiday for a while, without any new photos to cover, so here are some old ones from teh archive. If you recognise them, well done, if you don't, then they are new and fresh.

Outside the Tower

Two band members happy to pose for the camera, outside the Tower of London.

On the outside looking in

There's something very atmospheric about this shot, you can make up your own story as to what is going on.

The Millennium Bridge at Night

Title says it all, really.

China Town

As I don't have any photos from yesterday's Chinese New Year Celebration, I thought I'd use one from my trip to China in 2009. This is the view over the Forbidden City in Beijing, complete with ever present smog.

St Luke's Clerkenwell

St Luke's church is a deconsecrated church dating from the early 18th century, often used these days for concerts by the BBC (the LSO own it). I REALLY would have liked to have seen Bruce Springsteen or Paul Simon when they were here....

Flower Power

Passing a flower stall can really cheer up a winter day.

Doormen

What does a doorman say about you? Your society? Where you are going? Funny old thing, when I was in China a few years back, I stayed in a hotel that had electronically controlled doors. But they still had a doorman, whose job it was to wave his arms around at teh appropriate time. Does that make more or less sense? You can see his portrait here.

Winter Beauty

We tend not to look closely at trees without their leaves, but they can be strangely attractive. This shot looked a lot like a map of London to me. I know, I know, I'll keep taking those dried frog pills.

Embelishment

While I'm looking at comparative buildings, here's one from Mayfair to throw into the mix. Brook Street, to be exact.

The Bloomsbury Set

Here's a modern building, with a bit of a chequered past. When it was built as a private, mixed use building, nobody wanted to live, shop or work here. I remember it back in the 70's when it was a - somewhat ugly - grey elephant. In desperation the developers had leased it to Camden Council for council homes, and Camden couldn't afford to paint it. The building with its gently sloping terraces giving all flats a balcony was listed in 2000, since when its fortunes have been on the rise.

Building on the Past

This building at 1 St John Street would doubtless tick all the fine Victorian building boxes, and is a superb example. The plaque at the top shows us a wild boar and informs us that W Harris rebuilt the building in 1897 (you can see a close up here). I do love it, but I'm actually pleased we build differently now.

Stuff hitting the fan

This plaque on a brave attempt by a 60's building to be a bit interesting marks the place the Huguenots effectively started the alternating waves of modern day immigration into the east end. Why there are two Ns in Fann Street, I don't know, but they did make fans.

London Shopping

There has been a tendency over recent years for the gift shops in major venues to sell interesting stuff and the Barbican is no exception. They are particularly notable for design stuff, but also for some interesting London bits. Definitely one to remember if you are ever looking for a souvenir.

Light Eating

This is the interior of the Barbican Foodhall, and excellent place for coffee and ....urm... light meals ;)

The Sound of the Bard Spinning

Why is it the most unlikely places get named after such inappropriate choices? Allow me to present "Shakespeare Tower" in the Barbican, not much more to say, is there?

Finding Fortune

Fortune Street Park is a teeny tiny postage stamp piece of green in the heart of the city, well frequented by local families who have few other places for their children to play outdoors.

A good place to meat

One day, I should visit London's commercial markets when they are in full swing. For the moment, this is the vegetarian version of Smithfield Meat Market, no meat.

The Rain Room

You may have hear about the Rain Room at the Barbican, an art installation where you can walk in the dry in torrential rain. It's a very popular exhibit, and the queues when I dropped by were longer than the time to closing time. However, if you walk around the back you can look in as people come out. There is really a very lot of rain, and some of the young children find out the hard way that their parents REALLY mean walk, don't run......

I may well try to visit before it closes, but if I do, it won't be a weekend and it won't be anything other than first thing in the morning.

Snow Nun

I know it is only a trick of the light, but I wanted to share this sight with you. We are in the cloister of the church of St Bartholomew the Great, one of the oldest in London. The snow has melted on the ground, and left this nun, wandering on her own, lost in thought.....

RSPB Birdwatch

It's the RSPB Birdwatch this weekend: take one hour and count the birds in your garden. It's something anyone can do, and has been going on for quite a few years. The results are often surprising, and provide a unique, speedy, feel for what is happening with our bird populations (http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17523815 for last years. Squirrels feeding from bird proof feeders don't count.

Big Freeze

As the big freeze comes to an end, with the thaw arriving on Saturday, I couldn't resist the tenuous link to the very large bacchanalian frieze on the side of the Odeon, St Martin's Lane. Sorry.

The Bike Show

On Sunday I visited the Bike Show in Excel, it is fascinating seeing the changes over the years, how cycling is becoming bigger and more mainstream. This year, for example, the were many people making and selling fashionable ladies clothes for cycling. These two bikes come from the same manufacturer - Cambridge based The Light Blues. The top bike is a special track bike built by the founder in 1900. The bottom is one of their latest offerings.

Black & White Cabs

~Here's one where I just liked the image.

Building London

I was in a building 23 stories up yesterday, and I was struck by the number of cranes that are scattered across the landscape. And yes, in the rear of the frame is the broken crane on the building of St Georges Tower. You can see the wide view here http://extraspecialtreat.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/view-fromthe-top.html.

Snowfall

There's a lot of snow about at the moment, it's prettiest where there are fewest people. At least, fewest walking around disturbing it.

Proping up a bar

Proping up a bar is a noble activity, after all it would be dreadful if it fell over.

Street Food

Walking through London's Chinatown, I noticed a small doodle on the side of a street food vendor's cart. It's nice to think people thing about the ... artistic .... side of food. By the way, have you heard about the new Tesco beefburgers? They're meant to be very good, in fact they are the dog's b*****s

Don't forget the birdies!

As we are in a bit of a freeze and heading for more, a little reminder that the birds singing in your garden will always appreciate food, and in these temperatures fresh water can be hard to find, too.

Rockers Folly

No, this isn't an old Rock'n'Roll haunt, instead, the "C" of "Crockers Folly" has fallen off. A magnificent Victorian pub, originally the Crown Hotel, its name was changed back in 1987 to perpetuate the legend of the founder, who is said to haunt the place. You can read the story in The Shady Old Lady. It's obviously going to be changed into flats, £4M is the asking price if you're interested.

The Vanishing Man

In the Thames, just by Purfleet, is a sculpture called "The Diver" which ducks down as the river rises. Sorry for the camera shake in low light, a picture with the scene at low tide can be seen here.

A Chinese Sculpture

One of the more bizarre bits of 2012 legacy is this sculpture of chinese playing polo (they invented it, apparently) dropped into a bit of scrubland opposite London City Airport.

Donated by a Chinese artist, I can do no better than to quote the press release:

A magnificent sculpture has been gifted to the borough by renowned Chinese sculptress Huang Jian.
The China-UK Friendship Polo Match was unveiled at a special ceremony attended by Mayor Sir Robin Wales and councillors.

The Polo Match sculpture is based on two Chinese ancient polo fans and two British modern polo lovers who travel through time and gather in the Olympic Park for a polo game.

Sir Robin said: “The Royal Docks is a fitting setting for this magnificent sculpture, which we are delighted to welcome.”

Speaking through a translator, Huang said: “My sculpture has found a fitting home. The backdrop of the docks and London City Airport is amazing.
I am very happy.

Trompe l'Oeil

Leicester Square is being refurbished at the moment, so they have covered the statue of William Shakespeare with screens and mirrors. Does odd things to your brains and eyes.

Two For Tea

That's the name of the duo I was fortunate to catch up with for free in the foyer of the National Theatre. Dropping in there around midday is always fun, and this duo was excellent. You can see for yourself - I took a (mobile phone) video and it is here http://vimeo.com/57220160.

Hats Off!

Many of the old fashioned hat shops have closed, but Laird has recently started and seems to be doing well.

What's it Wirth?

Answer: I don't know, they don't say. Hauser & Wirth is an interantional art dealer, this is the Saville Row operation showing Isa Genzken's work. This is "Nefertiti plaster busts with glasses on wooden base, wooden plinths, belt, colour photographs in aluminium frames", of course it is. Just the thing for the mantelpiece mantelpiece mantelpiece mantelpiece.

Snow Joke

I don't often get caught up by inane PR stunts but this one took my fancy. The more you swing, the more "snow" is produced (actually, a foam). It will be in Finsbury Square over the next couple of days if you fancy a try. I happen to think that bottled water is one of the most unnecessary, environmentally negative products of the modern age and no amount of silly promotions will make me think otherwise. And yes, I do sometimes use them for convenience, but the idea that one make of bottled water is better than another is risible.

Glockenspiel and Flags

The Glockenspiel that used to be outside the now defunct Swiss Centre in Leicester Square was restored recently, alongside the flags of the Swiss Cantons. It is supposed to chime with a five-minute performance five times a day Monday to Friday (at 12.00, 17.00–20.00), and eight times a day at the weekend (12.00 and hourly between 14.00–20.00). I have to confess, I think it is broken again. At least, I've not heard it lately, has anyone? It is supposed to sound like this.

The Grand Old Duke of York

He had 10,000 men, d'you know? This is the Duke of York Monument off the Mall, with the Duke of York on the top; I've never known the viewing platform to be open, bit of a shame that - could be a candidate for Open House? He must have been popular with the soldiers, though, for all the futile marching, as they voted to donate a day's pay to construct this monument. Not the easiest thing to photograph, the rain helps.

Edit: Thanks to Hazeln for the pointer to Ian's story http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2012/10/30/closed-for-130-years-the-public-observation-tower-in-central-london/

Modern Art

One of the most consistently avant garde galleries is the ICA in the Mall. Probably overshadowed by the Tate Modern these days, it's still worth a visit for curiosity's sake if nothing else.

Lights are Going Out

It's Twelfth Night, so time to take down your Christmas lights. No, I don't know when they take down these in Regent Street.

Nearly beyond belief

I ventured inside the "M&M World" in Leicester Square. The only thing missing is one of these substandard confectionery items on Big Brother. Am I missing something here? How in seven shades of commercialism have they got away with this, and how can they continue to do so? Oh well.

Singing in the Rain

The news is out - 2012 was one of the wettest years ever, quel suprise. I recently realised that after more than seven years, I don't think I've ever featured Picadilly Circus lights. Fixed.

Book Early....

Some Spanish developers have paid £60M for a 125 year lease on the Admiralty Arch. Apparently, rooms will cost upward of £850 a night - it seems to me that there will be quite a few rooms there. Better book early then, eh?

Amusements

Each time I see an "amusements" arcade I'm reminded of the friend of a friend visiting London for the first time from the Soviet Union, very soon after the regime change. Her English was self taught, and the cost of coming to London was met by the legacy left to her by her father. We were walking through the west end, and came across an amusement arcade. She read the sign in faltering, heavily accented English. "Ah - moos - ments, vot is zis?" So, we explained the principle, that you walked into the place with money, put it into the machines, and then walked out again. She thought about this for a few seconds. "Zis must be very amusing for ze owner".......

Happy New Year

Reflecting back on 2012, London's Olympic year, I was looking for my favourite shot of the year, which had to be one from the games. But which? Each of the shots I posted says so much to me, instead, here is the shot of the Olympic flame.

And then, here are some of my other favourites for you to click on, to remind you what it was like:

Synchronised Swimming
Jessica Long
Oscar Pistorius, The Bladerunner
Paralympic Cycling
Blind Football
Wheelchair Rugby
The Games Makers

What a year.

A happy, prosperous and healthy New Year to you all.