Times Passed

I photographed these Roman Road stallholders back in 2006 - they were hoping to retire soon, I don't suppose they are there any more.

And the apologies for re-runs continue, thanks for all the kind words - I may stop apologising. I actually thought I might get out on Sunday to take some photographs, but unfortunately I hurt my knee skiing, so I'm not going anywhere. Ho hum

Speaker's Corner People

A photo from one of the early days of this blog, at Speakers corner on Sunday.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

University of East London

Given that these buildings are deep in darkest Docklands, most people don't get a chance to see them, here's your second chance ;-)


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

On London Streets

I don't often post photos of the less fortunate on London's streets, but there is something in this guy's eyes that almost haunts me.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

London Skyline

Just one of my favourite photos of London.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

Baker Street Irregulars

This Baker Street image deserves another airing. Always amazes me that there are a large number of people who think Sherlock Holmes was a real life detective.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

More Lord Mayor's Show

Another shot from the Lord Mayor's Show last year.

Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

The Traitor's Gate

The Traitor's Gate by the Tower of London is the entrance that was used by the imprisoned on their way to the Tower.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

Inside the British Library

This original seat is in the British Library, the shadows from the window turning into bars make this one of my favourite photos.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

Gas Streetlights in St James

Standing in the limelight it could be any time over the last two hundred years.


Apologies to folks - reruns of old stuff while I'm out of circulation for a while.

It's like deja vu, all over again

I'm afraid that's it has finally come to it. A combination of work pressure, leading right up to a holiday which is going to be followed by a visit to hospital for a minor op means that I am going to have to recycle photos from days gone by and post other photos from events I've covered previously. Sorry and all that, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

This shot is one from the Lord Mayor's Show last November, these girls were right at the end of the parade, no idea why.

Don't have a leg to stand on

Do you think this car with personalised number plate might have been part of Heather's divorce settlement from Paul? The disabled sticker is in the windscreen.

The Savoy Hotel

While the Savoy Hotel has recently been refurbished, we tend to forget how much it is woven into London history; it was the first luxury hotel in the city. Here's and extract from a potted history:

The Savoy .... was also the first to be lit by electricity. It had the first electric lifts, known as ‘ascending rooms’. Guest rooms were connected by speaking tube to the valet, maid and floor waiter and to other parts of the hotel. The Savoy later became the first hotel to provide most of its rooms with private bathrooms en suite.

It's also worth mentioning that the amazingly tight turning circle of the London cab was defined so that it could turn in the narrow space by the entrance.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap is the longest running play in the world by a considerable margin; a baby born when it first opened would be nearing retirement now. Legend has it that one visitor was very rude to the taxi driver who took him to the play, and refused to tip. As he was walking away, the cabbie shouted out "XXXXX did it!".

Street Smart

It took me a short while to realise I'd photographed two girls publicising Chicago, the musical.

The Colours of the Rainbow

Riding home from work, I was struck by the lively colours of this office block in Finsbury Square. So, I took advantage of having my camera phone on me. At least, not being green is not just green. Am I the only one who wonders why, in days like these when we are constantly admonished to save power and save the planet, why so many office blocks have all their lights blazing all the time?

More London

More London is not just what you get on here, day after day, but also the name of the new development on the Southbank, between Tower and London bridges. I rather like this shot, with a partial reflection of Tower Bridge just in view and the paving drawing the eye into the perspective.

The View From The Top

If you don't mind the 311 steps, one of the best view of the city is from the top of the Monument. Wren designed it, although it went through several revisions:

Wren at first proposed a pillar with sculptured flames of gilt bronze issuing from loopholes in the shaft, and a phoenix on the summit rising from her ashes, also of gilt bronze. This, on further consideration, he found unsuitable, and then designed a statue of Charles II, 15 feet high. The statue was, however, found to be impracticable on the ground of expense, and the present vase or urn of flames was therefore substituted.

The Port of London Authority

Time was when Britannia ruled the waves, and London was where Britannia ruled. So where the waves were ruled in London was bound to be impressive, and here it is. The Port of London Authority building is truly grand although no longer occupied by the Authority. The PLA is still the controlling authority and still fully privately funded. Read about them. then and now here.

How much pocket money do you get?

This crest over an anonymous door on the north side of Waterloo Bridge shows that it is the the base for the Duchy of Lancaster. It may not ring any bells with you, but it is this that provides the Queen with her personal income - Crown Estates funds go to the treasury, not the Royal Family. The Duke of Lancaster (the Queen) owns property worth over £300 million, on which she earned a net £13M last year. I don't suppose she has to do a paper round to supplement that. The other Duchy is Cornwall, which provides income to the Prince of Wales.