Pride & Glory

Greene King, a Suffolk brewery are moving into the London Branded brew market, currently and for the recent past occupied by London Pride, a genuine London Brew. I have to report it is quite a pleasant drop, too.

The View From The Wild West

This view is from the A40 (the Westway) headed into London, taken by me on the way home from work. Fairly drab, but a little exciting to me, anyway, as today is the first time I have cycled into work for months. My various bits that are sub-par did mention that they weren't too enamoured with the 17 miles each way (my journey is now 8 miles shorter!), but I didn't take much notice.

Chelsea Harbour

With more than a hint of a hat-tip to Venice about it, Chelsea Harbour is a little bywater near Chelsea Bridge.

The Other Side of the Fields

Sometimes, looking at things from the side not usually seen or shown gives a new perspective. In this case, this is the church of St Martin in the Fields, by Trafalgar Square.

Back off holiday, but haven't quite caught up with myself yet.

Happy Easter

For Easter how about a cute duckling from Hackney City Farm? If all goes according to plan I may well be out with my camera again very soon.


Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

I am cheetah

You can find this cat in the city, near St Paul's Cathedral.

Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Docklands

Time for a view of docklands, not much to say

Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Dragon Tales

George and the Dragon are closely tied into English culture (for an obscure reason I don't fully understand). Mostly, you will find George dispatching the dragon, but this one on top of Smithfield meat market appears to be hiding, and have escaped.

Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Remembering

There's something quintessentially East London about this memorial. A loved one - father, son - clearly died here in what was most likely a motor accident. And those left behind felt that car number plates was the right way to remember him.

Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Chinese Walls

In Samuel Johnson's house in Gough Square, there is a lump of rock, presented to him by the Chinese, from the Great Wall of China. Having seen the Wall, I wonder if it is in fact true, as the scale is just too small, but the adventure of the travel that many years ago still catches my imagination.

Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Stable Environment

Lancaster Gate also has one of the most central stables and riding schools, possibly of any major city. I rather like it that the mews houses here are still being used for the purpose for which they were intended.


Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Thunder Road

Today, thousands of people are going to be thundering around the streets for the London Marathon. Some are motivated by a desire to excel, some to raise funds for causes they hold dear. Whichever, it is still 26 miles to run and I take my hat off to them all. (even to the guy crawling around in a snail costume, 1 mile a day.


Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

Lancaster Gate

Lancaster Gate is one of those areas often overshadowed by its neighbours, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Queensway, and has suffered of recent years from an influx of lettings, as few individuals can these days afford to live in the style that the houses were built for.

Off gallivanting in France for a week, hope you all have a good holiday

What's your angle?

It is surprising how often you just need to go that little bit further to get the best angle on a tourist view. A little bit more westerly at Westminster and a little bit more easterly at Tower and you get more of London in the background.

Royal Courts of Justice

They say it's the Royal Courts of Justice, but they really mean they are courts of law. Still, an independent judiciary uphold an ancient tradition, and so probably deserve a fantastic building.

Helllooooooo

I'm on the phone, dontcha know. That was a state of the art phone in its day, you know. And it's only 14 years old (in Wallbrook by Canon Street Staion

Ham on the Hoof

The Hackney City Farm is a wonderful place for kids who would otherwise not ever come into contact with animals to get some understanding and respect for what animals are. Conveniently, I am also happy to report that I am now back on the hoof, but it may be a couple of weeks before I can get out with my camera again. I'm looking forward to that.

Holborn Viaduct

The figures on the Holborn Viaduct are worth a closer look if you have a moment. They represent commerce, agriculture, fine art and this, science. I can't work out why they chose a steam governor for her to hold in her hand, and there is a mini statue just behind, showing a globe plugged into a battery.

Paul Butt, Danielle Carter, Tom Casey

As you look at the delightful reflection from the glass sides of the Gherkin, spend a moment to think about Paul Butt, 29, Danielle Carter, 15, and Tom Casey 49. They were the three who lost their lives today in 1992, when the IRSA blew up the Baltic Exchange where the Gherkin now stands.

Why was Eleanor Cross?

The Eleanor Crosses were erected by King Edward I at the end of the thirteenth century, in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile. There were twelve, marking the journey of her body from Lincoln to London. The most famous - this one at Charing Cross - was the most grand. Reproduced faithfully by the Victorians, this spot has marked the point distances to London are measured from for 700 years.