The Black Truffle

I reckon I can hear the slavering: "Chocolate, chocolate!" from here. Well tough. This isn't a chocolate shop, it is a boutique operated by a school of "Fashion and Accessory Design", in Warren Street. As you may expect, the contents are just that little bit different from the run of the mill. Just the sort of place that is right at home in London. You can see some of the inside here. I liked the door.

We got sole

Today I present a double ententre for your viewing pleasure. This long established, independent (!!) shoe shop has been in the Kings Road for many years. (For non-native english speakers, you need to pronounce this "ahh-soles" to discover the double meaning)

Little bit of London trivia. Up until 1830 the Kings Road was just that - a private road owned by the king for nipping down to Hampton Court.

the Chelsea Physic Garden

The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded by the Society of Apothecaries in 1673 in order to promote the study of botany in relation to medicine, then known as the "physic" or healing arts. It is a most restful place (as you can see) and has only recently started opening regularly to the public.

Just along from the Royal Hospital, it is a small haven. Step in here and you can almost see those intrpid exporers bringing back their trophies from a trip fraught with mystery and danger.

If you are interested in plants, their medicinal uses or the way that plants weave in and out of the fabric of our lives, you really should visit.

Oh yes, we had a bit of a family macro-fest, too. Here are some of the results (<1%)

Paolozzi's Train

I've featured Eduardo Paolozzi's work before, here and here. This odd thing is in the concourse outside Euston Station. It is clearly inspired by trains, but I confess I didn't like it when I first saw it, but I do now. I wonder if that's more to do with my own tastes changing, or have I just grown accustomed to its face?

'ello 'ello 'ello

There aren't many of these Police phone boxes left. All they contain is a phone which connected you to the nearest police station. The irony is, this is in Grosvenor Square, the one place in London all you need to do to find twenty policemen on top of you is sneeze in a suspicious manner. (The American Embassy is here)

Parking is dreadful in London

Just have a look at this high rise bike park!

Truth is, it's the start of the gathering of the Friday Night Ride, a bunch of cyclist who enjoy a chat, a drink and a ride around London. A nice, easy paced and friendly meander stopping for anyone who gets left behind as well as red lights.

Here's what happens with more bikes and people, and here are the crew.

Just Married

When a man opens the car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife.
- Prince Philip

I would love to tell you more about this photo, but only the photographer spoke english - at least, enough to say yes, I could take a photo and post in on my site.

I came across this elegant couple of newlyweds on Sunday, just outside the Central Hall Westminster, next to Westminster Abbey, just here. I was left to speculate - did they marry in Westminster Cathedral? Japan? Hornsey? I could see no other guests. It will have to remain an enigma - as much an enigma as what covering her husband's eyes is all about. She is so pretty, and the clothes so perfect, I thought it was a fashion shoot at first. But maybe that's what people who marry in Westminster Cathedral look like.

Wedding Bells are going to Chime

Walking past a dry cleaners in Walton Street, I saw this dress and thought it would make a good photo. Look at the detail - all hand made, just don't ask the cost. It also works by way of a good introduction to tomorrow's photo.

Woke up it was a Chelsea morning

Rambling down the King's Road Chelsea on a sunny spring Sunday morning is one of the finer things in life. Having breakfast in Gelateria Valerie while the world slowly uncurls is probably another.


I wasn't sure whether to title this post from Joni Mitchell's song, or possibly REM's shiny happy people.

London's Heart 106.2

Radio stations are the lifeblood of a city and if BBC Radio London is the voice of London, Heart 106.2 is the, well, heart. Nice thing about them is that they turn out and support all manner of London activities (and they play a good variety of music, too). Here they are for the start of the Gumball Rally, handing out baloons and ready to help everyone have a good time.

Next stop, Istanbul

Pall Mall today was taken over by the Gumball 3000 Rally. What? You've never heard of it? Maybe that'll be because you can't afford the £28,000 it costs to enter. The rally goes from London to Istanbul and back, dropping in on loads of places on the way.

Basically, its a beano for the ultra wealthy. As the announcer said "If you have a Lamborghini today, it REALLY doesn't stand out".

More pics of the exotic cars here.

It takes all sorts

 

If you saw this sign on a pub, it might not be your first choice of venue. That is, unles you were a Goth, in which case you might get quite excited. This is the sign outside the Devonshire Arms, Camden - "London's Gothic Watering Hole". It takes all sorts, and I have to tell you I'm pleased about that.

Clout casting is here!

 

Never cast a clout till May be out. An old saying that means "Don't take off your winter clothing till..." well, that's where it all goes a bit odd. Most people think it means "ooo, it can get cold until the end of May". But actually, the very English Hawthorn is also known as the May Tree, and its blossom is called May. So it could mean, wait until May blossom is out: in London this year it's been around for a week or so already - as have some people, casting clouts.

Pretty, innit?

Hare today, gone tomorrow

March hare sighted going west. This whimsical statue is in the Broadgate Centre, and always cheers me up. I thought it quite suited to this time of year. Barry Flannagan the artist appears to have a thing about hares, I rather like his stuff but, as I can't find any prices, I think that means I can't afford it.

Let there be light....

Books. That word alone gives you warm thoughts. But imagine a world without Andrew Carnegie. His rags to riches story is the stuff from which fables are made. And having made his fortune, he set about to give it away. Which is why there were 2,500 free public libraries created worldwide.

This one is in Manor Park, and his bust is mostly ignored in a niche high on the side wall. Manor Park is just the area full of immigrants for which Carnegie created these libraries. You can see the inscription above the door here, more general view here. (Mind you, looks to me as if Brian has borrowed a few books - I wonder if he brought them back?) It was LDP regular Olive who asked about them here.

More about Carnegie's socialogical background here.

An Englishman's Home....

So. What do you do if you aspire to a mansion, but live in a Victorian terrace? Answer: Stick your gargoyles wherever you can. You really can't confine the human spirit. This house is in Leyton, a typically mixed area of London, in one of the less solubrious parts. As throughout London, this can change from street to street.

Living in the Past

If you come here often, you must have seen how I prefer the individual to the chain, the quirky to the bland. It's cities like London that allow places like this - All Flutes Plus to exist. That's what they sell: flutes. I confess to knowing little about flutes but, at a guess, this little shop must be the best place in the UK, perhaps the world, for a flute. As Ian Anderson would have said - That's living in the past. If you feel the need there are a few Jethro Tull clips here and here.

Still life with Painting, Bureau and Marathon

Sadly, I came off my trusty steed last week and damaged my knee, which meant I couldn't get to the marathon this year, as I did last year. So here is the more sedentry way of following the Marathon.

I'd really like to congratulate all of the 36,000 (!!!) who put themselves through hell to run 26 miles and raise astonishing amounts for charities.

I'm sure others will report on the London Marathon this year, so here are two other marathon links.

Bluebell wood in London

It all started when NiC bemoaned the lack of a bluebell wood in London. I knew where there was one (about half a k from where I live), so now they are out in all their glory I had to share them with you. It's such a fantastic sight - these are the native British ones, too.

Man's best friend

After Snowy two days ago, I bumped into this very British dog and had to include her. Todays links are to a list of reasons why dogs are better than men or women.