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.