Isn't begging a problem?

I'll come clean - these guys aren't begging but carring out a traffic survey.

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Lets do Bridges!

One good bridge deserves another, here is one you don't see that often - Hammersmith Bridge. The first suspension bridge across the Thames, it has been through quite a lot lately, including being blown up by terrorists.

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The Millennium Bridge

A slightly different angle on the wobbly bridge. If you don't know about the wobbles, read about them here

I'm on holiday for the next two weeks, posts continuing by magic, but I will not be able to answer comments.

Petanque, anyone?

If you were a frenchman at a loose end for a game of boules in London, where would you go? Not here at the Hays Galleria on the Southbank, where there is a boules court, but the local office workers who play enthusiastically, even if they don't know the rules
. A frenchman would probably weep.

I'm on holiday for the next two weeks, posts continuing by magic, but I will not be able to answer comments.

Tooting Bec Lido

It's been so hot, Miss Ham trecked off to Tooting Bec Lido with a friend and spent the day lounging by and swimming in the water. This Lido has a history going back to 1906, and is possibly the largest in Europe.

"Take some photos" I asked, This one is my favorite. A more conventioal view is here.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

If you live in Paris, you have to have your beach created for you. In London, you have your beach ready made. If you were a cynic, you'd point out that there is nobody on the London beach because it is filthy, also you are liable to be drowned if you hang around for too long (High tide on the Thames comes right up to the platform of the pier!). To say it that way loses the essence of the seaside - sand by the water - you old cynic you.

All about sponsorship

Am I the only one who thinks that occasionally sponsorship goes a little too far? This art exhibit, sponsored by the car maker was on show in covent garden. Its entitled "All about me" and consists of polaroids of the artist stuck on the car. I bet he had a good laugh.

Southbank Buskers

It's quite normal to find recently qualified music students busking, these two were good. So I asked what the piece they were playing was. It was a klezmer violin piece. Which they played on flute and banjo. OK.

Music in the Park

Here's an event that really shows what London is about. True, it is a vast metropolis but within that each distruct finds ther own identity. I am fortunate to live in one of those areas where the mix works.

Today Mrs Ham and I walked down to join in Music in the Park". This is real community event that has been happening for six years. Organised by the community (actually, our local libraian!) the day passes in good humour with some excellent music. The headline act was the Mbawula South African Township Band with a Soweto choir - ably assisted by the Zulu Choir from Wanstead High School, the local school.

The building you can see has a history, I think I'll return to that another day.

A local event, for local people.

Watch this space

If you are ever around the Southbank at lunchtimes, it is always worth checking out if there is a free show. This one is part of the "Watch This Space" series and is called The Caravan of Desires, and was a fun way to spend lunchtime. Another photo here

Half Moon Theatre

This is the entrance to the Half Moon Young People's Theatre. Based in a deprived part of the East End it makes theatre fun for kids, staging productions for ages two to teen. They emphasise reaching out children who would normally be exluded, by ethnicity or disability.

But please take a look at the stone carving. This building was put up in 1863 and thankfully escaped damage in the war. The only other place I've seen carving more ornate was at the Sikh Gurdwara.

Feelin' Hot Hot HOT!

It's been the hottest July day here in London, and everyone is looking to keep cool. This picture was taken at the fountains in Somerset House. They are not that well known, as the courtyard is hidden from the road. The building itself iswell worth a visit another day.

Foley Street Studios

As you travel around London, you will see quite a few structures similar to this, with staircase down. They used to be public toilets, but were sold off some years back, and became all sorts of enterprises. This on Foley Street was a film or tape studio for a while, they put the taller structure inside the old. My favourite example, though, was the one that turned into an upright tanning shop. Their slogan? Tanning at your conveniene.

Tom Cards

When I posted pictures of phone boxes two days ago, Eric wanted to know what they had to do with swingers. Open up any box in London and you fnd these prostitues adverts - "Tom Cards". As fast as they get taken down, new ones go back up.

I used to wonder how the ... service staff? ... managed their own safety. One day, a strange tourist aksed me to call one of the numbers and help him arrange .... a massage. In the spirit of adventure, I did so, and had a chat with the girl on the other end. Seems that this bloke had phoned before, becaue they didn't like the sound of him they turned him down.

Put that in your pipe...

Let's start the week in a tobacconists, of all places. You can find G. Smith & Sons at 74 Charing Cross Road, where it has been since 1869. Apart from the selection of pipes and this cheerful chappie taking a pinch of snuff, it is also noteable for having been the very first shop in Charing Cross Road.

Who remembers Bob Newhart's Introducing Tobacco to Civilisation?

Government Health Warning: Reading a blog about tobacco will not damage your health.

A classic London sight

We are so used to the phone box in London, we pass it by without a thought. It is a perfect example of functional design, and all attempts to find a more up to date replacement have failed. Made me laugh when they discovered that traffic noise stopped them from using a plain hood.

Bow Street Magistrates Court is closing down

The origin of the Bow Street Runners (the forerunner of the police force) is truly fascinating. Let me start you - did you know that the man who started the force was blind? This article tells you about some of that, and Wikipedia gives you up to date background of the court.

Checkout the famous names that have through the door. Even if you don't know the Kray twins, you will probably have heard of Cassanova (and many others).

Another gem about the Police station is that Queen Victoria objected to the blue police light, as it reminded her of the room that her husband, Albert died in. So they changed it to white.

Thanks to ems for reminding me that the Court is closing today, to be turned into a hotel.

Let them eat cake!

Those famous words, often attributed to Marie Antoinette as her response to the peasants problem - "they have no bread" is a suitable way to say Happy Bastille Day to our French friends from across the channel (of which there are now quite a lot - more than you might think!).

And here is London's answer to that question - Konditor and Cook. They are a small chain of shops who make "fabulous cakes - the sort you'd make yourself if only you had the time, energy or inclination..

For those revisionists that are interested, the provenance of the "Let them eat cake" phrase is here, on the Straight Dope which is a site worth a browse.

A load of Pollocks? No.

Pollocks Toy Museum has sat in its little cornerfor ever, and is run by the grandson of the founder. It has a fasinating collection and a wonderful line in proscenium toy theatres like these.

Ducking and diving

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I would like to say to the people of Mumbai, our thoughts are with you.

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Be shown around london by a duck! no, really! These people had the brilliant idea of converting a WWII military amphibious Duck to carry tourists around London. I've never been on it but it looks really cool. Just seeing it drive off the road into the Thames is great. Hmmm just a thought - could it be a tentacle of the Empire of the Scaryduck?