Pillars of Society

The Law Society is in Chancery Lane - the scene of this week's The Way We See It. I do believe that Judges and the legal profession are one of the pillars that keep our society together. The others? Maybe the Police, the Army, the Press; it's all a question of balance.

The Blackfriar

This pub is one of the finest examples of the Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts movement buildings in London. converted from an office block in 1905 it takes inspiration from an ancient monastery that used to be nearby (they wore black habits). The building is very well preserved and the detail is great, like this. The interior is certainly worth a visit, and not just for the excellent beer.

April Theme Day - Yellow

I was a bit hard pressed to think of a London twist to the Worldwide City Daily Photo theme day "Yellow". I thought of Speakers Corner (Yell-O) , but then remembered these St John's Ambulance bikes. As I never tire of telling people, bike is by far the fastest way to get around London - somthing you would be very pleased about if you needed these guys in an emergency!

As ever, click here to view thumbnails for all participants in this theme day.

Quantum Cloud

More familiarly known as Gormley's Millennium Man, back in 1999 the Dome's oh-so-bright management stated their desire that this would become better known than the Angel of the North. Probably because it is (surprisingly) taller. Unfortunately, they failed to realise that where the Angel is on a hilltop and is a strong figure clearly visible for miles, the cloud can barely be seen from the north of the river, that few people will pass close by on the south side, and that the best view of the man inside is from a moving boat in the river. Ah. Also, you would not be blamed for thinking it was a pile of scrap iron.

However, you can see the figure of a man (yes, it's Gormley, again...) inside, and I'm rather fond of it.

More info here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map (link should be to the "Streetview" version)
For the first 200 Map places, click here.

The Boat Race

After the weekend of the Oxford & Cambridge boat race (Oxford won), I thought it would be appropriate to remind you that all manner of other people use the Thames, like these Sons of the Thames". May the oars be with you.
(And for your Cockney Rhyming Slang edification, you may hear someone say, "You shoulda seen his boat" - Boat, Boat Race, Face)

Greenwich Means Time

On the day that we move the clocks forward to British Summer Time, I thought I'd show you the rather beautiful Dolphin Jubilee Sundial in the grounds of the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. It was made for the queen's Jubilee in 1977, and it is stuck on GMT. Find out more about sundials here There are a surprising number of sundials in London.

Stand by to repel boarders!

With the G20 conference coming to London this week, and the ensuing pitched battles predicted, this very businesslike gun emplacement (on the Greenwich Peninsular) could be useful to both sides. And here is a visualisation of quantitative easing (Warning: coarse and vulgar humour)

Manchester Square

Manchester Square is an elegant if unexceptional London Square. The feature of the square is the Wallace Collection, featured previously. It was when looking round for The Way We See It this week that I noticed these old wrought iron lamps, and the wonderful shapes they make. I couldn't decide which shot I liked best, here is the other.

Evelina Children's Hospital

There are few things more miserable than taking a child to hospital, so the Evelina Children's Hospital set out to build a hospital that doesn't look like a hospital. What a good idea.

This is the group that greets you by the entrance, and further images can be found here.

Battersea Power Station

Two years ago, it was going to be an entertainment complex. Now? A power station again, maybe. Battersea Power Station is London's biggest white elephant (now that the dome has a new existence) and from this angle - poking my camera through the gates on the eastern side - you can see how it is failing into disrepair. Still, some people love it.

Battersea Dog's Home

Battersea is probably best known for its dogs home. I never expected to get a photo for LDP because the exterior is so nondescript. At the moment, even that is covered up with hoarding.

But, as I was going past I looked and thought to myself - Photoshop!! and this is the result. You may have to look closer on the large image, but it WAS begging for it.

The Battersea Peace Pagoda

The first Peace Pagodas were in Hiroshima and Nagasaki designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace. A lofty idea and a beautiful, if curious, thing. There are 80 around the world.

This Peace Pagoda is in Battersea Park, visible clearly from the northern bank of the Thames.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map
For the first 200 Map places, click here.

Ooo - can I have a lick of your ice cream?

There's actually quite a lot to talk about his sculpture, as it is to commemorate Bazalgette's completion of the Chelsea Embankment, but it seemed so perfect to express the joy of a sunny spring day in London. I'll leave it stand and fill in the detail another day.

Still Life with Beer, Menu and a Place Setting

It was almost a year ago I passed the outpost of Gordon Ramsay's empire that is The Narrow, said I'd go in and report back.

I can tell you that it was a resounding success, and an experience I would heartily recommend.

First, it does "pub" well - good location, good beer, good service at the bar. Then, the menu is crafted well for the location - good, honest food that make both the customer and restaurateur happy. Old favourites for example fish & chips, bangers & mash or what I had - pig cheeks - are all served impeccably cooked and with sauces and flavours that let you know that just that bit more trouble was taken over preparing it. I started with devilled kidneys, followed by pig cheeks and then rhubarb tart. The meal including drinks came to just over £40 a head, and I'd say that was excellent value.

The Eagle Hut, Aldwych

OK, so the picture is boring. I am in Aldwych, (eald wic in old English, or old settlement) an area dating back to the 7th Century looking around at stuff for The Way We See It. I saw this plaque, which interested me enough to find out that it was run by the YMCA as a social centre for the American servicemen and others in the first world war.

Still not enough reason to post a picture as boring as this, but then I found an old photo of the Eagle Hut, and an aerial version,too. So I changed my mind.

Want to see how grand it is now? Walk around with Google Street View.

Hello Sweetie!!!

The sugar makers Tate & Lyle has a long and intimate history connected to London. Yes, that's the same Tate.

This is their Silvertown refinery where they still produce Golden Syrup, the UK's oldest brand.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map

For the first 200 Map places, click here.

Sherbet Dab Swivel

"'Ere, anyone called a sherbet?" (Sherbet is Cockney rhyming slang for a cab - Sherbet - Sherbet dab - Cab)

This is a temporary installation outside the Royal Festival Hall, by Ujino, the Japanese artist in residence. Inspired by the many equestrian statues he found around the city, he based his work on a heroic figure on horseback. I must find out about Ugly Knitting and report back to you all.

Spring comes to Southbank

It was superlative in London today - Spring was well and truly sprung, the sun was in the sky and all was well with the world.

I wandered out on Southbank at lunchtime to see if I could capture some of the feel to share with you, this is my favourite. The "also rans" are here.

NOT for vegetarians

I am aware some people may not like this photo, but there are two reasons I wanted to show it.

First, I have long thought it is important for people to know and understand what they put in their mouths. The recent spate of TV chef focus on this subject can only be good. If you are going to eat something, you really should respect it. Meat is not an inanimate thing wrapped in clingfilm, it was once a living, breathing animal.

Second, it's always good to know where to get a good pork sandwich - Spitalfields in this instance.

London's Vantage Points - Beckton Alps

Beckton was pretty much just the gasworks for a long while, now just the vestige of one of the spoil heaps remains.

For a while it was a dry ski slope, now it has been left to nature. Clamber up the hill and you will be presented with probably the most extensive 360 degree view in London. Given where it is, I'd hesitate before saying it was the best view. Looking around the Internet, this rather infrequently-updated site caught my fancy, and you can read the Diamond Geezer's Beckton visit here.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map
For the first 200 Map places, click here.