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.

It ain't necessarily so...

I have a confession. Most opera leaves me cold. For some, the drama and the music aid and abet each other. I've never really seen it that way, although I've tried many times. Don't get me wrong, I've always enjoyed it and I love the music, but the live performances seem less - not more - than recordings. That was until Porgy & Bess at the Savoy. For the first time, I was truly carried along with the opera (yes it is an opera, not a musical) - may be time I gave opera another chance. Sound AND video excerpts are here

We went along for a matinee, very good it was too. Here's a tip that's obvious but still worth saying. If you are looking for a show ticket, Use google to search for something like "porgy and bess half price offers". Works a dream

If Snowy is the answer....

...what was the question? - Maybe "Name a famous Belgian?" or maybe just "Who would you want on your side in a tight corner?" or maybe just "What would you find in the Tintin Shop in London?" (You can liberate your own Snowy from them here)

Salt Beef Sandwich in London

It's harder to get a decent salt beef sandwich in London than it used to be, so when as I find them I'll let you know. This one in a cafe at the junction of Bedfordbury and New Row was OK - I'd recommend, good flavour, quantity and size. Bread was a bit ordinary, and the idea of mustard as a pool by the sde is curious.

Diamond Geezer reminded me of the Beigel bakery (featured previously, where they also serve a decent salt beef sandwich.

More in the Poetry Cafe

When I visited the Poetry Cafe, I wandered downstairs and found there was going to be a talk about Iran - that sort of thing that often happens here. Tara Jaff was just unpacking her harp, and was kind enough to let me take a photo.As I was doing that, she couldn't help her fingers playing a tune, making me whish I could have stayed. You can hear some of her music and find out about her here.

Poetry to my ears

There used to be many cafes associated with different activities - The Prompt Corner chess cafe in Belsize Park was my favourite. On Friday I called in to the Poetry Cafe in Betterton Street. - it's part of the Poetry Society. Pay a visit sometime - you know you want to..

Welcome Home

After yesterday's welcome mat, here is another - a traditional Irish welcome mat. You'll find Thorsten Van Elten in Warren Street, they have some really interesting stuff (lots on their website) and are one of those eclectic shops that London breeds.

Oh, for those wondering what the feck "feck" is....here and here.

Welcome to London

Cisco have set out their stall in Covent Garden and are providing free wireless access - and free computers to use - in the Piazza for the next two weeks. It's a publicity stunt, and their slogan of "On the human network people decide what's possible" has a corporate-speak vomit-making quality but still..... it's Cisco, and they are the foundation of the Internet. And making people and human interaction more important can't be a bad thing.

Cutting edge humanity

You will not often meet people who really make a difference, I have been fortunate to meet one such, the Londoner, Trevor Sorbie (who UK readers will recognise as one of the top hairdressers).

I can hear one or two of you saying "worthwhile? hairdressing? are you SURE?" Bear with me.

Up to now, if you were a woman and lost your hair through chemotherapy (cancer) or allopecia, the support you got was advice to wear a wig or a scarf. Trevor has devoted his experience, talent and skill to cutting the wig hair for these people, to make women feel better about themselves. Such a simple yet briliant idea. He doesn't need my accolade but he is seriously good at what he does. And he is encouraging others to join in the project. And he doesn't charge for his services.

The Inside Out program on BBC1 will be featuring his work today (I believe). Doesn't that make you feel better about the human condition?

Read more about this astonishing project here. Read the stories and testimonials, you'll see what I mean. It's a charity and hopefully, soon, there will be a way to donate online. I think I may repeat this story then and see if I can't get you guys to cough up some cash.

So how can you tell me you're lonely....

And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

In truth I have more to say about homelessness in London than will fit this column, both in inches and spirit. However I'm sure one or two of you will have come across this uber-bagman, he's been around for years and his technique has developed along with the size of his trolley.

Thinking of the lyrics of Streets of London - One more forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care - I started to poke around for a recording to leave you with for old times sake - that's here. But I also found an excerpt from French and Saunders that is really, really funny, that's the Trial of Ralph McTell , stay with it till the payoff at the end.

London's Elephants - No.15 in a series

"I'm just popping out for a curry!" is what this elephant seems to be saying. It's one of a pair outside the Curry Palace restaurant, Queensway. I confess I wasn't about to sample their cuisine, but I do like their taste in elephants.

Who would have thought this series has been running for over a year already.


Click for No 1 in the series.
Click for No 2 in the series.
Click for No 3 in the series.
Click for No 4 in the series.
Click for No 5 in the series.
Click for No 6 in the series.
Click for No 7 in the series.
Click for No 7 1/2 in the series.
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