Conor's pix

Snow in London, Feb 2012

2012-02-05T22:59:00.001Z

Some pics of the snow in London in Feb. 2012:

The branches on the trees turned white

No takers for the tables in the park

No football in the park on Sunday afternoon

Chinese New Year, London 2012

2012-01-28T23:46:00.001Z

New Year celebrations for the Year of the Dragon in London Chinatown.

Street decorations

Lots of cakes for sale,

including dragon cake.

Frost on The Nower, Dorking, Surrey, in January 2012

2012-01-17T13:04:00.001Z

Frost on the Nower, Dorking, Surrey, on a winter's morning in January 2012.

It is a contrast to the snow of last winter. See previous entry of 2011 snow on the Nower.

Growing Family of Canada Geese in Dorking

2012-01-07T23:41:00.004Z

The family of Canada Geese now looking very grown up
in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking.

See family in June: Goslings in Dorking
The lead one above with distinctive white markings on the head is one of the parents in the earlier picture.

Thinking, Newman Street, London

2012-01-04T22:33:00.001Z

Newman Street, off Oxford Street, at night

Spilt Milk in Bethnal Green

2011-12-26T21:40:00.003Z

There is no point crying over spilt milk but perhaps you should drive more carefully next time:

Bethnal Green Road, East London

Feeling Lazy

2011-12-25T12:54:00.000Z

Feeling lazy, Merry Christmas!

Christmas scenes, Trafalgar Square, Southbank and Soho, London

2011-12-24T17:12:00.009Z

The nativity scene in Trafalgar Square

The white lights of the christmas tree and the red lights of the olympic countdown are reflected in the glass.

Short video of the square at night (37 secs)

Some people are just thinking of the food:

but some prefer simpler celebrations:

For pictures of 2011 Christmas lights in London, see this set in Flickr.

Keeping a Straight Face, Soho, London

2011-12-20T14:54:00.001Z

Keeping a straight face even though things are going wrong.
A shop window off Carnaby Street.

Waiting for Christmas

2011-12-09T15:56:00.002Z

Waiting for Christmas, a shop window at Liberty, Great Marlborough Street, London

The Old Vic theatre, before the show begins

2011-12-08T00:14:00.001Z

The Old Vic theatre near Waterloo Station, London, in early evening before a performance of Noises Off by Michael Frayn

Mouse Soap Dispensers, Carnaby Street, London

2011-11-25T14:53:00.001Z

Mouse soap dispensers, what would the cat think? - Christmas shopping in Carnaby Street

Hackney Picturehouse, Mare Street, East London

2011-11-17T22:01:00.003Z

The Hackney Picturehouse, a new cinema on Mare Street opposite the Town Hall in Hackney. It used to be a Methodist Hall and a library. It was then converted into Ocean, a music venue, but that was unsuccessful and soon closed. It opened in October 2011 as a 4-screen cinema.

This corner used to be the entrance to the library.

Tall Woman trapped in One New Change shopping centre?

2011-11-04T15:16:00.002Z

Next window display in One New Change shopping centre opposite St Pauls Cathedral. The woman seems to be staring across at the Cathedral.

Look Chocolates !!! Covent Garden shop window display

2011-11-01T23:35:00.002Z

The window display of a shop attracts the attention of a passer-by in Covent Garden .

Chinese Lantern and Les Miserables in Soho

2011-10-24T22:56:00.001+01:00

A Chinese Lantern in Whitcomb Street marks the start of Chinatown with Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, in Soho, London.

Autumn on the Nower, Dorking, Surrey

2011-10-15T23:34:00.001+01:00

Autumn sunshine on the Nower in Dorking, Surrey.

It is a pity that the summer was not like this.

For the view in winter 2010, see the last picture in January snow in Dorking

Shell Centre walkway, Southbank, London

2011-10-14T14:56:00.000+01:00

This walkway from Waterloo Station through the Shell Centre to the Southbank has been closed for several years.

Next to the walkway is a sculpture "Torsion Fountain" (also known as The Shell Fountain) by Franta Belsky.

In July 2011 Shell announced that a joint venture of Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar had bought a 999 year lease on the Shell Centre for £300m and would redevelop the site, subject to planning permission. The tower is to be retained but the rest of the site would be replaced by a new scheme of offices, shops and restaurants.

Caption puzzles - Mango window display, Oxford Street, 2011

2011-10-06T16:33:00.005+01:00

The Mango window display in Oxford Street, London. Any ideas for captions?

Doesn't her bum look big ?

Why does she always get to sit down?

Thats the last time I have plastic surgery!

Look what they have done to my legs.

For photos of 2010 Mango window display, see this posting

Sunbathing and Barbecues in October, London Fields

2011-10-02T17:50:00.001+01:00

Like last October (see this October 2010 entry), we have had sunny, warm weather in early October. Sadly it never lasts as winter soon follows.

300 days to go until the 2012 Olympics in London

2011-10-01T22:58:00.003+01:00

The counter in front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square this evening shows 3oo days to go until the 2012 Olympics in London.

The Mayor's Thames Festival 2011, London, 10-11 Sept. 2011

2011-09-22T23:51:00.000+01:00

Southwark Bridge on Saturday evening, 10 Sept 2011

The road was closed to traffic for the weekend and tables were placed along the bridge

Lots of food was available to buy at stalls

New tactics for dealing with troublemakers?

"Appearing Rooms" by Jeppe Hein outside the Royal Festival Hall

Mosaics in Waterloo

2011-09-16T16:09:00.001+01:00

A mosaic in the ground in an entrance to a churchyard.

A mosaic of Dave Squires (1949-2009), a street sweeper, in a wall near Waterloo Station.

Window display - Telephones for sale

2011-09-07T23:17:00.000+01:00

It is odd what you see at night. These are telephones in the shapes of skulls on display in the window of a shop in Soho, London. The front of the head detaches to form the receiver.

Postcards of London

2011-08-19T15:52:00.000+01:00

Images of London in a shop window (is this really what London is like?)

Horse at Water by Nic Fiddian-Green, Marble Arch, London

2011-08-17T13:20:00.000+01:00

"Horse at Water", a 27-foot high, 17 tonne bronze statue based on the Indian Marwari horse, by Nic Fiddian-Green. It was erected as part of the redevelopment of Marble Arch in 2009.

A Blooming Tree

2011-08-03T19:33:00.000+01:00

A tree in July 2011, Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, Surrey.

The same tree in January 2010.

Playful Zebra and Handbags at Louis Vuitton, Bond street, London

2011-07-29T15:18:00.000+01:00

A playful zebra entertains passers-by by balancing handbags in the window of Louis Vuitton, Bond Street store, in London.

Sunset in Hyde Park, London

2011-07-27T11:44:00.001+01:00

Sunset in Hyde Park, London, on a summer's evening

Sunset on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

7our Bus, Lovebox festival, Victoria Park, London

2011-07-20T22:19:00.002+01:00

A tour bus entering the backstage area at the Lovebox festival in Victoria Park, East London. The number plate is 7OUR. It is an Ayats Bravo and part of Coach UK of Liverpool's Starcruiser fleet. For other pictures of this type of coach see the Starcruiser website.

Bunting in the Southbank, London

2011-07-08T14:33:00.000+01:00

The Southbank Centre has hung out the bunting as part of the Festival of Britain Celebrations which commemorate the 1951 The Festival of Britain.

Ducklings of Dorking - We are Family

2011-06-28T21:29:00.001+01:00

The ducklings settle down together for a family gathering

at Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking

Animal Zodiac Sculptures, by Ai Weiwei, at Somerset House, London

2011-06-17T15:30:00.002+01:00

Bronze animal heads, by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, re-creations of the traditional Chinese zodiac sculptures which once adorned the fountain of Yuanming Yuan, an imperial retreat in Beijing. The heads are on display in the courtyard of Somerset House, London, until 26 June 2011.

Dog Show in Dorking

2011-06-12T13:52:00.000+01:00

A variety of dogs on show at a Dog Show in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, on 4 June 2011. For once it was a sunny, warm day.

Goslings in Dorking

2011-06-03T15:24:00.002+01:00

A family of Canadian Geese in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, Surrey.

Big Balls in Trafalgar Square, London (2011 Champions League Final)

2011-05-27T15:08:00.000+01:00

Big footballs in Trafalgar Square celebrating the finals of the 2011 UEFA Champions League in London, the men at Wembley and the women at Craven Cottage, Fulham.

An alternative Royal Wedding

2011-05-19T11:27:00.000+01:00

Teenagers outside Westminster Abbey create their own version of the Royal Wedding of William and Kate.

The Ducklings of Dorking

2011-05-18T12:50:00.002+01:00

The ducklings are growing, but down to 11,

at Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking

A Flotilla of Ducklings in Dorking

2011-05-05T22:39:00.001+01:00

A duck with 12 ducklings on the Mill Pond, Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking.

Burdett-Coutts Fountain in Victoria Park, East London

2011-05-05T21:14:00.000+01:00

Grade II* listed drinking fountain in Victoria Park erected by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts in 1862. It is to be restored as part of the work currently taking place in the park.

Urban Fox at the Southbank Centre, Waterloo, London

2011-04-27T13:11:00.001+01:00

Urban Fox, made of straw bales, at the Southbank Centre, Waterloo, London.

A Fiery Sunset on the Southbank, London

2011-04-08T21:34:00.001+01:00

A fiery sunset over London from outside the Globe Theatre

From outside the Tate Modern gallery

Pedestrians and a photographer on the Millennium Bridge over the Thames

The photographer with his tripod in silhouette

The new Blackfriars Station being built over the Thames

A Lion in Victoria Park, East London ?

2011-03-31T14:12:00.000+01:00

A lion in Victoria Park?

No its not a big cat, its a Pavi Lion.

Fences have been erected during the restoration work on the park in East London. I am not sure if the placement of the sign is deliberate. The pavilion is the building with the glass dome.

The lake has been drained as part of the restoration work.

Signs of Spring - Daffodils in Dorking

2011-03-23T14:52:00.000Z

Daffodils brighten up the Meadowbank Recreation Ground in Dorking, Surrey. An indication that Spring is upon us.

Lost balloons of Hackney

2011-03-18T15:05:00.001Z

A family of balloons, 2 white and 2 orange, had made a bid for freedom but were stuck in a tall tree in Hackney. The tree was clearly too tall for anybody to retrieve the balloons which had managed to wrap themselves around the high branches.

Walking in Dorking

2011-03-11T15:03:00.000Z

A line of walkers descending a hill on the Nower in Dorking, Surrey

Dorking High Street

The view from the Southbank, London

2011-03-07T18:19:00.001Z

The view in the evening from outside the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre looking across the River Thames to the floodlit buildings on the Strand in London. The illuminated buildings are the New Adelphi, Shell Mex House and Savoy Hotel.

Dorking, Surrey - 2012 Olympic Cycling road race route

2011-02-16T22:58:00.002Z

As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, the 2012 Olympic cycling road race will be passing through the town of Dorking in Surrey. Here are some pics of the route:

Dorking High Street, part of the 2012 Olympic Cycling road race course

West Street, Dorking

Cyclists already trying out the route on West Street

Flowers in Dorking

2011-02-11T15:07:00.001Z

Dorking High Street which is to be part of the course

for the cycling road race in the 2012 Olympics.

A flower shop on the high street.

The Olympic cycling course also goes past the roundabout featuring the Dorking cockerel, see Dorking cockerel picture.

January Blues - a restaurant waiting for customers

2011-01-28T21:34:00.001Z

Waiting for customers, a Steakhouse restaurant near Leicester Square, Central London, in the early evening.

Lights in the window of the restaurant

Blooms Pianos, Kingsland Road, Hackney

2011-01-19T12:55:00.003Z

An old advert for Blooms Pianos, Kingsland Road, near the Geffrye Museum.
It reads:

Bloom's Pianos for Perfection
Call or Write 134 Kingsland Rd
Phone Bishopsgate 9087

In the bottom right corner, it reads:

Howell Signs
Clerkenwell 7275

The Cenotaph and Whitehall at night

2011-01-02T13:48:00.001Z

Whitehall in Westminster, London, at night:

The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London

The bus stop at the Cenotaph

A bus approaching

Two buses come at once

Symbols of London: the red telephone box,

the London Underground logo and the Houses of Parliament

Oxford Street in December 2010

2010-12-24T19:38:00.002Z

A busy Oxford Street, a week before Christmas

The entrance to Selfridges

For pictures of 2011 Christmas lights in London, see my Xmas 2011 set in Flickr.

Saturday evening at the Apple Store, Covent Garden, London

2010-12-24T19:13:00.001Z

Even in the rain, the Apple Store is busy on a Saturday evening.

Hungry ducks in winter, Dorking, Surrey

2010-12-15T20:31:00.000Z

Ice has formed on the Mill Lake

in Meadowbank Recreation Ground, Dorking, Surrey

The ducks compete for food.

But there is little food around

How to stay warm this winter - Have Long Hair and Stay Indoors

2010-12-10T12:20:00.003Z

A window display of warm clothing in Piccadily Circus, London,

with the reflection of the advertising lights on the glass.

The advertising display in Piccadilly Circus

Skating at Somerset House

2010-12-05T18:12:00.000Z

The skating season has started at Somerset House, London:

Teddy Bears in Christmas display at Hamleys

2010-12-03T14:47:00.005Z

The Christmas window at Hamleys, Regent Street,
features teddy bears and cakes.

The store is the largest toy shop in the world

with 7 floors of toys.

For pictures of 2011 Christmas lights in London, see my Xmas 2011 set in Flickr.

Caption competition - Mango window display

2010-11-26T15:04:00.002Z

Any ideas?

I refuse to wear anything pink.

Oh no, its candles again.

It is always the man's fault.

Christmas window display, Mango, Oxford Street

Apple store in Covent Garden

2010-11-19T14:20:00.003Z

The Apple Store at No 1, The Piazza, Covent Garden, on a Saturday evening. It opened in August 2010. Its opening hours are Mon-Sat: 9:00am - 9:00pm and Sun: noon - 6:00pm.

There was previously a restaurant on the site. It is at the entrance to the Piazza near Covent Garden tube station.

Preparation of the Ice Rink at Somerset House

2010-11-08T16:12:00.001Z

The ice rink being prepared in the courtyard of Somerset.

Somerset House and water fountains at night

2010-11-04T14:21:00.006Z

The courtyard of Somerset House and its water fountains at night.
The current Somerset House was built as government offices around 1800. Parts of it were occupied for many years by the Inland Revenue with the courtyard used as a car park, but the buildings now house various art exhibitions and the courtyard is open to the public.
The water fountains will soon be replaced by an ice rink for the winter months. The courtyard has also been used for concerts and fashion shows in recent years.
See also my Ice Skating at Somerset House pictures

Southbank Centre, London, at night

2010-10-29T14:25:00.005+01:00

More pictures of the Royal Festival Hall and the Southbank Centre:

Food market at the Royal Festival Hall

Royal Festival Hall and London Eye

Shops at the front of Festival Hall

Coffee Bar at the Royal Festival Hall

Front of Royal Festival Hall

The nearby National Theatre

Sunny Sunday afternoon in London Fields - 10.10.10

2010-10-22T14:38:00.008+01:00

An unusually warm, sunny Sunday afternoon in October in London Fields, Hackney, London E8. It was the 10th of October 2010, ie. 10.10.10.

Sun-bathing in October.

Not as busy as in the summer but unusual for October.

The cricket pitch and Tower Block.

Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London, at night

2010-10-15T15:40:00.005+01:00

The Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank, London, in the evening:

The London Eye and the Royal Festival Hall

Royal Festival Hall side view at night

Royal Festival Hall side entrance

Interior at night

Broadway Market on a Saturday afternoon 2

2010-10-12T14:47:00.007+01:00

The Farmers' Market on Saturdays in Broadway Market, London Fields, is more and more popular.

See previous entry Broadway Market on a Saturday afternoon, 10 March 2010.

Palestra, Southwark, South London

2010-10-01T14:18:00.013+01:00

Palestra, on Balckfriars Road opposite Southwark station, was designed by Will Alsop of Alsop Architects with engineers Buro Happold and holds the headquarters of the London Development Agency and the Surface transport division of Transport for London.

View of Palestra from The Cut in Southwark

Close-up on Union Street

A September Evening by the Thames

2010-09-16T23:12:00.008+01:00

An evening walk by the River Thames

London Bridge

Looking towards Tower Bridge from London Bridge

Tower Bridge with Canary Wharf in the distance

Tower Bridge with a sailing ship moored in the background

Fryderyk Chopin sailing ship next to St Catherine's Dock.

The ship took part in the Mayor's Thames Festival in September 2010. In October 2010 the ship lost its 2 masts while trying to cross the Atlantic. It had to be towed to Falmouth but all the crew were safe.

Sunflowers - a reminder of summer

2010-09-10T15:19:00.005+01:00

These photos are from last month of some sunflowers outside the lockkepper's cottage by Acton's Lock on the Regent's Canal near Broadway Market in Hackney.
(I meant to go back to do some more photos but did not get around to doing it.)

Keeling House, Bethnal Green

2010-09-08T11:48:00.008+01:00

Keeling House is a 16-storey block of flats, designed by Denys Lasdun and completed in 1955. It is a cluster of 4 blocks of maisonettes arranged around a central service tower. It was originally council housing but was closed in 1992 due to deterioration. It was designated a Grade II* listed building in 1993. In 1999 Tower Hamlets council sold it to private developers who renovated the property and reopened it in 2001.

Viewed from the west (from Claredale Street)

Viewed from the south (from Canrobert Street)

View from the east (from Temple Street)

Young Swan on Serpentine

2010-09-03T14:05:00.004+01:00

A young mute swan on the Serpentine in Kensington Gardens.

Mickey Mouse in the East End

2010-08-27T15:42:00.003+01:00

Mickey Mouse trying to work his magic in the East End.

City of London pics

2010-08-27T15:28:00.005+01:00

Tower 42 (formerly NatWest Tower) reflected in an office building.

The new Heron Tower on Bishopsgate.

See also 25 September 2009 - Buildings of the City of London

The Upmarket Giraffe

2010-08-19T19:01:00.003+01:00

The Giraffe posing in Louis Vuitton shop in Bond Street, London, UK

Australian War Memorial, Hyde Park Corner, London

2010-08-13T15:24:00.006+01:00

The Australian War Memorial is a memorial to the 102,000 Australian dead of the First and Second World Wars at Hyde Park Corner in London. It consists a semicircular curved wall of grey-green West Australian granite, with the names of 47 battles in which Australia was involved and the names of 23,844 towns in which the soldiers were born carved into it, with water running down over the names.

Water flows down from the top of the monument over the names of the towns and battles. The blocks in front represent the sweep of the Australian landscape. There are lights concealed behind the blocks.

The memorial was designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects and the artist Janet Laurence. It was unveiled on 11 November (Armistice Day) 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II, John Howard as Prime Minister of Australia and Tony Blair as Prime Minister of the UK .

The map shows the locations of the battles.

Normandy

The names of towns of birth of the soldiers, including some European names which reflect the varied origins of the Australian soldiers.

Berlin

Scenes from a demolition, Haggerston Estate

2010-08-06T15:39:00.006+01:00

The machinery

The empty buildings

The empty rooms

Even the local pub is demolished

although some elements remain

Samuel House is still in use with pictures of former residents on the windows of the empty flats. (part of I Am Here project - see www.iamhere.org.uk/ )

For other pics of the estate, see my set on Flickr.

Lioness and Lesser Kudu in Belgravia, London

2010-07-18T13:47:00.006+01:00

The statue of the Lioness and Lesser Kudu by Jonathan Kenworthy in Upper Grosvenor Gardens, Belgravia, London, UK.

Flags in Goldsmiths Row, Hackney.

2010-07-16T15:29:00.006+01:00

Flags flown for the World Cup outside the Albion Pub in Goldsmiths Row, Hackney, London, UK.

Canal swans and cygnets again

2010-07-09T14:10:00.003+01:00

The swans and the 6 cygnets have moved round the corner from the Regent's Canal into the Hertford Union Canal, by the Grove Road bridge, near Victoria Park, East London, UK.

The cygnets feeding.

The cygnets pair up briefly.

The adult swans keep watch over the cygnets as they feed.

The well-dressed giraffe

2010-07-01T12:54:00.003+01:00

What everyone needs - a well-dressed giraffe!

Louis Vuitton window display in Bond Street, London.

Cygnets on the Serpentine

2010-06-23T16:19:00.004+01:00

Cygnets on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London, on a summer's evening.

Swans and cygnets in the Regents Canal

2010-06-17T23:44:00.004+01:00

Swans and 6 cygnets on the Regents Canal by Old Ford Lock.

(Sorry about the bad exposure but it was the best I could do at the time.)

More Elephants on Parade in London

2010-06-04T14:18:00.002+01:00

More Elephants on Parade in London. see elephant parade website.

Maureen, National Theatre

Brambles, South Bank

Pearly Prince, The Strand

Dunbow, Covent Garden.

Blooming Hackney

2010-05-26T14:06:00.004+01:00

Amidst the urban landscape, flowers on display outside Hackney Town Hall.

Swans in Kensington Gardens

2010-05-25T11:03:00.004+01:00

Swans on a Saturday evening on the Round Pond, Kensington Gardens, London.

Hyde Park Heron

2010-05-18T11:31:00.001+01:00

A heron in Hyde Park by the Serpentine.

Spaceship disguised as a cloud

2010-05-15T22:39:00.005+01:00

A giant spaceship disguised as a cloud hovers over West London.

Elephants in London

2010-05-14T15:51:00.006+01:00

Elephant Parade in London, see website.

Zabriskie, Hyde Park Corner

Blitz and Dart, Hyde Park

Vroom, Hyde Park

Swan, Hyde Park

Giant Rabbit in Hackney Road

2010-05-05T12:18:00.004+01:00

A giant rabbit on Hackney Road painted by the artist ROA on the side of a shop.

Now Open - East London Line

2010-04-29T21:37:00.007+01:00

The East London Line is now open between Dalston Junction and New Cross/New Cross Gate, with new stations at Dalston Junction and Haggerston (plus Hoxton and Shoreditch).

Dalston Junction station

Haggerston station from Arbutus Street.

Haggerston station from Lee Street.

The entrance to Haggerston station in Lee Street.

The Ticket Hall of Haggerston station.
The station was designed by Acanthus LW Architects.

Haggerston Station - opening soon

2010-04-25T21:39:00.007+01:00

The overground station at Haggerston is about to open as part of the East London Line.

The entrance on Lee Street, London E8.

The ticket hall.

The timetable (when it is fully running).

Update 27 April: the line opened today but for the moment it is only a weekday service, with no trains on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Planes Return

2010-04-22T21:37:00.005+01:00

The airplanes return to the skies in London.

Peace and quiet in St James's Park

2010-04-22T21:32:00.003+01:00

A quiet Tuesday evening in St James's Park in central London.

Look, No Planes (and no clouds) !

2010-04-17T23:19:00.003+01:00

A view of the London sky over Leicester Square on a day when there were no clouds and no planes.

Say Cheese, the cheese shop in Covent Garden

2010-04-10T22:45:00.006+01:00

Unlike the cheese shop in the Monty Python sketch, Neal's Yard Dairy in Covent Garden has heaps of cheese.

Carousel, South Bank

2010-04-02T13:53:00.004+01:00

South Bank, London, at dusk.

South Hall Courtyards, Covent Garden, at night

2010-03-30T22:33:00.006+01:00

South Hall Courtyards, Covent Garden on a Saturday evening in March.

Daffodils in Dorking

2010-03-27T22:28:00.003Z

Daffodils in Meadowbank recreation ground, Dorking Surrey.

Water Fountain by Horses of Helios statue

2010-03-23T14:54:00.004Z

The water fountain by the Horses of Helios statue in Piccadilly, London.

Horses of Helios statue, Piccadilly, London

2010-03-21T18:32:00.003Z

The Horse of Helios statue at the corner of Haymarket and Piccadilly in London. It was created by Rudy Weller in 1992.