The Thames at Richmond

Another example of where the photograph says it all.

Light on the City

I rather liked the searchight effect of the sunbeam through the cloud, I hope you do, too.

Counting Down

It's less than nine months the Olympics starts! The countdown clock in Trafalgar Square has counted down a few more since, but it is getting quite exciting. In contrast to the tickets for one event for the Olympics I was lucky enough to get, I have just about all that I asked for in the paralympics. I think I may have a good time.

St Martins in the Fields

For today, a photo of the Church of St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square. Been a while since this has been fields, though.

Making a Spectacle

The super-large statue in St Pancras Station, of a couple meeting or parting, grabs the attention, but the detail around the base is quite fascinating, too. It's all based around transport in London.

Inside tthe ICA

Looking down inside the Institute of Contemporary Arts, they have a mighty fine staircase. Some of the art is interesting, if a little....different. Worth a visit in all events.

Maybe we could be amused

Tucked away in Carlton House Terrace, well away from easy viewing, is a very fine marble statue of a much younger Victoria, with astonishing detail such as the fabric brocade. She still looks miserable to me, though.

A Reformed Character

The Reform Club is one of the very last of London's old Gentlemen's Clubs - although for the last thirty years they have even allowed women. apparently it only costs about £100 a month.... but you do have to be nominated for membership. Then screened. The chances of me joining? Less than zero.

Ooops! Fixed. Sorry for the confusion, I've been away for a few days.

View From the Blue

The Blue Bridge in St James Park is possibly one of the best viewpoints in London, especially when the weather is just right.

Oh dear, where did I put that building?

You all know I like the small details in a building, this - well it's not a caryatid cos it's a bloke - looks very worried. Found him in Curzon Place.

Self Portrait With a View

Two self portraits in a week - what is the world coming to? It's not very often that I in a situation where I want to put myself in the frame - I couldn't resist this opportunity, though. Oh, and the curved mirror is wonderfully slimming.

View From the Top

This has to be one of the very best views in London, from the bar at the top of Tower 42, it really is quite spectacular and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Are we Amused?

At some point, this mural dedicated to the Queen mum has sprung up byt he steps to Carlton Terrace. I can't help thinking it's all a bit naff, but I suppose that is somehow fitting.

Free 2 Dance

Great British Eccentrics - in a nice way. What's going on here is a silent disco approaching the world record for non stop dancing, in support of Burma. Read more about is here.

The Other Side of the Coin

This convex/concave mirror is really fascinating, I for one couldn't decide on my favourite side. With yesterday's shot, you can get a perspective of the size.

Self Portrait With Mirror & Lloyds

There's a very interesting piece popped up in the square just by the Gherkin, I don't think I can do anything but show you it again tomorrow.

Cabot Square

When you see these characters in Cabot Square in Docklands, ask yourself how you know without thinking that one is male the other female.

Pretty as a Picture

Today, I take one of my occasional forays outside London, to the sort of places Londoners go when they can. This scene is from Flatford Mill Near Manningtree in Essex, where John Constable lived and painted in the 18th Century. This scene is still recogisable as the one in The Haywain. Many of Constable's paintings hang in the National Gallery and the Tate Britain, both worth visiting.

Bring Sense to the Streets

This is what Blackfriars Bridge looks like rammed with thousands of cyclists trying to get a simple message to Boris: PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR CYCLISTS SAFETY. Boris & TfL are determined to re-raise the speed limit across the bridge back to 30 (from 20 where it has been), despite it being one of the worst designed river crossings for cyclist (two have died, to my knowledge) Read more and see a video of what 2,500 cyclists look like here

Violette Szabo

Tucked away near the south side of Lambeth Bridge is the memorial to Violette Szabo, a real life secret agent whose story is worth reading. Don't miss the code poem associated with her, either The Life That I Have to cheer up any day.

Art with a capital Ah?

The free exhibitions in the Hayward Gallery are always worth a visit, they can also be thought provoking. Sometimes, they are just a little difficult to understand. This one is termed an Eyeball Massage, why don't you visit and make up your own mind?

Look at the Birdie

Well, why not use the backdrop if you can? Looks like they were getting married fairly locally, as distinct from the Japanese who have a tendency to dress up in their wedding togs to be photographed in Parliament Square.

This Art Stuff is all a bit pants

Around the Hayward Gallery at the moment, are 300 pairs of white underpants with lights in. Part of Pipilotti Rist's "Hiplights" it does have in its favour that it makes people smile.

Captain James Cook

Captain Cook stands near Admiralty Arch in London, clutching his map and reminding us of what it is like to sail in uncharted waters - if we want to think about it,

The Union Jack

The Union Flag flies over, so it may come as a surprise to hear that it was only adopted officially at the start of the 20th century. It may also surprise you to learn that it features on the flags of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Taunton Massachusetts

October is Here

In London, you are never far away from some woods where often the very ordinary can be very beautiful.

Smoothie Operator

Everything these days is all about the experience, in a very Fin de Siecle manner. Here you have the experience of the frozen smoothie, apparently you are supposed to assemble it yourself. All too complicated for me.

Stationary Station

A few years ago the idea of "Stratford International Station" sounded very much like "Trotters Independent Trading, New York, Paris, Peckham" but here it is, large as life and twice as ugly. I don't think I will ever have the option to cycle 10 minutes from home to a train that will take me to Paris, but it is still quite exciting that they have finally opened it. Read more here and here.

The last days of summer - Pt II

We seem to have been treated to an extra few days of summer, and I for one am not complaining. This is a scene from the park at the end of my road, Wanstead Park.

Shaping Up

Inside the Canary Wharf development there are numbers of pieces of art, this one really plays with your mind. If you think you can guess what it really looks like, take a look here.

October theme Day - a mystery object

The October theme for the worldwide City Daily Photo sites is a mystery object. I thought I'd show something that isn't so much a mystery itself, it's easy to guess what it is, but there are mysteries on the other end of the ropes. Where have they been? What were they doing? Where have they been? Click here to see how others around the world interpreted the theme.