No Borders London

The Pianos are back

2011-07-06T01:28:00.000-07:00

Since 2008 we've had a couple of weeks in summer when pianos appear all over the city titled 'play me I'm yours'. This year they have colourful art work painted on them. London seems to be full of extremely talented pianist's who give us wonderful impromptu shows.

London Fashion

2011-07-05T00:47:00.000-07:00

Pretty as a picture. Spotted her the other day.

Cally Festival

2011-07-04T02:05:00.000-07:00

Applying the finishing touches to the giant octopus is serious work.

Pride 2011

2011-07-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

London's biggest party of the year. Pride 2011 took place yesterday. Among those represented was this group displaying the banner for a South Africa charity whose aim is to raise funds to create safe places for Lesbians who suffer 'corrective rape' and fear for their lives.

Scarecrow

2011-07-02T01:44:00.000-07:00

A beautiful rooftop garden has popped up on top of the Queen Elizabet Hall at Southbank. Watching out over the veges is the ever so scary scarecrow.

Theme Day - Green

2011-07-01T01:47:00.000-07:00

The first day of each month is theme day in the City Daily Photo (CDP) community. July we are showing our images using the colour green.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Cooling Off

2011-06-30T01:24:00.000-07:00

How to manage the very hot days.

Rain

2011-06-29T01:46:00.000-07:00

It has been hot and humid with rain expected for a couple of days. Yesterday afternoon the rain came with a few bursts of thunder. Lovely big drops of rain. Relief from the humidity at last.
I do love taking pictures in the rain, I just need to work out a better way to hold the umbrella when my camera is in two hands.

Legs

2011-06-28T01:14:00.000-07:00

Showing off the girls. I'm thinking of doing a series on tattoos, there are so many around now. What do you think?

Puck in the Park

2011-06-27T00:54:00.000-07:00

Preparing the set for A Midsummer's Night Dream in the gardens of St Paul's Church in Covent Garden.

Four

2011-06-26T03:49:00.000-07:00

Running on water. Fresheyes has been showing you aglimpseoflondon for four years. I'm still discovering London. I hope you are still enjoying the journey.

The Queen's Chapel

2011-06-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

Another of those wee gems you stumble upon from time to time. The Queen's chapel was built between 1623 and 1627 when it became the private chapel of Charles I bride Henrietta Maria of France. It's small and gives the sense of peace and serenity I guess the ruling monarch might like away from all the pomp and ceremony. Here the ruling monarch reigns supreme. The clergy here are appointed or fired or whatever by the monarch. The Bishop of Canterbury has no jurisdiction here.

Pint of Art

2011-06-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

Another glimpse at last weeks art fair. No she wasn't for sale. Cute though. Coloured pint bottles were for sale on the back of the milk truck.

We Need Bees

2011-06-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

More than they need us........We need bees for a successful eco-system.
Learning how to create successful bee colonies is taking place on business rooftops in Kings Cross. An incredible program teaching young people how to manage bees is a collaborative work between Global Generation and local business.
I'm very keen in keeping an eye on the health and welfare of our honey bees. Totally selfish of course, I have honey for breakfast every morning.

Men at Work #34

2011-06-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

Team work.

Roof Tops

2011-06-21T00:13:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly trying to find roof top views of London. The city looks so different either looking up or looking down from somewhere high. This view looking over the roof tops of Soho is taken from Central St Martins University. The campus is to be relocated to new premises in Kings Cross for the next academic year.
Looks like developers will turn the current building into apartments, offices and luxury hotel.

Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair

2011-06-20T00:20:00.000-07:00

Now in its seventh year, the art car boot fair is one of my favourite events in London. A chance to mingle with and buy works from established artists and emerging artists. Fun installations included smashing crockery in the Boules China shop throwing bricks at windscreens or tossing your ex into a car boot. Oh and did I mention the spanking?
I came away with a couple of treasures and calendar is marked for next year.

The Great Drag Race

2011-06-19T02:22:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the great drag race. Men in dresses and lots of makeup ran 10.2 km all in aid of raising funds and public awareness of prostate cancer.

Stop Raining Please!

And they're Off!

Reappearance of Disappearing Rooms

2011-06-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

Usually the reappearance of disappearing rooms is a sure sign of summer sun and fun. Her umbrella was not just fot the fountain. Fun in the rain doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it.

What a Party!

2011-06-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

Three Hundred years since St Paul's was completed it now looks as good as it did in 1711. A fifteen year restoration costing £40 million has finally finished. For the first time in that fifteen years you can now see the cathedral without cranes and scaffolding.

The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley, treasurer of St Paul's, yesterday talked about the mammoth project. The state of the art tecqnics used and the beautiful work restoring the art and mosaics.

To celebrate both the completion of the work and the 3 century anniversary, St Paul's is launching the 300th Anniversary Photograph Competition.

Take your best shot of the exterior of St Paul's. You have until 16 July 2011. Upload your images to St Pauls Flickr.

The ten best images will be displayed in the cathederal crypt. The overall winner will take home a beautiful glass vase made especially for the event by Venice-based firm of Salviati & Co

Keat's Parlour

2011-06-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

During his illness it was in this room that Keats would sit on his especially made 'sopha bed' and gaze out at the garden. The place still has a wonderful tranquility about it.
I was fascinated with the story of the clock in the corner. It travelled to New Zealand and back with Charles Brown and his son. It is thought it suffered damage on the way down as the trunk is now made in NZ native timber.

Lotsa Laughs

2011-06-15T01:26:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of comedy. There is nothing like a good laugh to get the week of to a good start.
So it took very little encouragement to get me through the door of the Kings X Social Club for an evening of stand-up comedy. They bill themselves as weirdo's the most alternative in London.

These guys are funny. Some great material being worked on here. Not a bad way to pass a Tuesday evening.

Pelican

2011-06-14T00:27:00.000-07:00

Tolerating all the attention.

Naked Bike Ride

2011-06-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

To highlight the vulnerability of the cyclist and protest about the dependency on oil and the car culture more then 1,000 stripped (dare as you bare) and rode the 9 miles around central London. The Naked Bike Ride is an annual event that takes place in 50 countries.

No Means No

2011-06-12T02:38:00.000-07:00

Thousands marched in central London yesterday as part of the international Slutwalk campaign, in response to the Canadian policeman's comments that women should stop dressing like sluts to avoid victimisation and rape.

No means No. The way we dress is not a reason that should ever be accepted as an excuse for violence.

Lend Me a Tenor

2011-06-11T01:15:00.000-07:00

The other night I went to the splendidly refurbished Gielgud Theatre. The interiors of many of these old London theatres are almost like an artwork in their own right and it's worth attending a show just to get inside.

I saw Lend Me a Tenor a musical comedy of mistaken identity, charades and surprising romance. It was a fun production and made all the better by it's fabulous set and surroundings.

Find out what's playing with London's theatre Guide

Dead End

2011-06-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

Spotted in Soho

A Treat for the Ears

2011-06-09T00:18:00.000-07:00

Heard the London Gay Symphony Winds Orchestra (LGSW) in the park at Hampstead Heath last week. A great day for a picnic and wonderful sounds to listen to. They have a range of events all around London. Worth catching.

Kings Cross Gas Tank

2011-06-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

The gas tank that has dominated the skyline for years will be totally removed by the end of the week. It then begins its new life. First off to York for refurbishment then reinstalled on the other side of the canal as part of the new development. It will sit alongside two other gas tanks that will have exclusive apartments built inside them.

Who wants to go into the Edible Gingerbread House?

2011-06-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Roof tiles made of chocolate, a cupcake garden, the chimney is popcorn, a marshmallow pond. Who wants to go into the gingerbread house? ME.
Lily Vanilli will show you how to make and decorate your own gingerbread house. Storytelling, singing and dancing.

What fun if you're a kid. The gingerbread house was installed at the Brunswick centre in Bloomsbury over the weekend. All to raise awareness and funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

Race for Life - Hampstead

2011-06-06T01:21:00.000-07:00

All over the country women are racing for life to raise money for cancer research. Last Saturday's race was on Hampstead Health. Congratulations to these women who ran a great race.
Find out how you can support on the race for life website.

You can also support the cause through one of our City Daily Photo Bloggers (CDP), Ham of London. You can read his story here.

Rehearsing The Trooping of the Colours

2011-06-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday is the real thing. The Trooping of the colours is an annual event held on the official birthday of the monarch. Unlike the rest of us she gets two birthdays. Her real one is 26 April, then the official one when she checks out her troops in this spectacular parade.

These big events have to be perfect. So there are a couple of trial runs. Yesterday was rehearsal number two. If you don't mind the carriages being empty, then these days are a great way to get a good view of proceedings. In fact you can apply to get a ringside ticket. It is done by ballot each year.

Urban Beach

2011-06-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

The first day of our new beach you could see the sand. Not now. It has proved to be so popular that finding your own patch has become a challenge. We need a bigger beach.

Summer Dining

2011-06-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

Get on your bike find a nice cafe and soak up the sun. Summer is here! This week London is going to be the hottest place to be. (in all senses of the word).

North Sea Trawler In London

2011-06-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

For the next couple of days the North Sea trawler Amity II will be docked at St Katherines Pier (just in front of Tower Bridge). A unique opportuinty to go on board a real working trawler without getting seasick or having to do the difficult job of fishing.

Jimmy Buchan, star of the TV series Trawlerman, has sailed his North Sea Trawler, Amity II, down to London after setting off from Peterhead, Scotland, on Sunday night.

The trip is to mark publication of ‘Trawlerman’ - his memoirs of being at the helm of Britain’s most dangerous job for over 30 years, raise awareness of the problems that the British fishing industry is facing and to raise funds for the Fishermen’s Mission (the only national charity specifically providing emergency and welfare support to fishermen and their families in the UK)

Amity II will be moored at St Katharine’s Pier, by Tower Bridge, and will be open to the public from Thursday 2nd June – Saturday 4th June inclusive.

Get down there, go on board, meet Jimmy. Join them for a BBQ of langoustines on Friday.

June Theme Day - Under Construction

2011-06-01T01:15:00.000-07:00

A bit of street humour for this month's theme day.
City Daily Photographers ( CDP ) pictures today will show their interpretation of 'under construction'.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Puppets

2011-05-31T01:56:00.000-07:00

Dozens of puppets hang from the ceiling in an Indian restaurant in Soho. So bright and cheerful.

Watching the Cricket

2011-05-30T02:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon on Parliament Hill watching the cricket. An English past-time.

Circle of Heads

2011-05-29T01:56:00.000-07:00

"Makes our lot seem positively tame doesn't it".

Ok now your turn. Best quote published tomorrow.

Sculptor/artist Ai Wei Wei has been detained by the Chinese authorities. His work of twelve zodiac heads is currently on display at Somerset House.

Beach Huts

2011-05-28T02:15:00.000-07:00

An urban beach and a seaside garden have popped up along Southbank. A funfair and traditional beach huts. each of these huts has an installation inside, ranging from a seashell grotto to a penny machine that lets you whack a banker.
It's going to be a grand summer.

New Career for London's Pigeons

2011-05-27T01:41:00.000-07:00

London's pigeons currently work hard at entertaining tourists. However government cuts in this sector will result in massive pigeon redundancies.

I'm considering a new enterprise to fill a gap in the market.Reliable couriers. Pigeon Post will be the answer. Why am I keen on this enterprise? Sheer frustration with current couriers!

Let me regale you with my latest experience.I sent a parcel to New Zealand. This is the journey of the parcel:London -> Paris -> China -> Singapore -> Australia and back to London! Pigeons just might have a better chance of getting a shot at least getting the right country.

What do you think?

Gone for a Walk

2011-05-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

Sure. Don't think I'd get to the end of the street, but aren't they pretty. Such lovely bright colours. What would you wear them with?

Someone's Lucky Day

2011-05-25T00:42:00.000-07:00

Now wouldn't you like those to be coming to you?

Drinking Fountain

2011-05-24T00:08:00.000-07:00

At times throughout London's history the water was not drinkable. During these times beer or gin were drunk. Looks as though someone has something to say about the current water.

Balloon Magic

2011-05-23T02:04:00.000-07:00

Yes she did get them all in much to the amusement of all those who watched. I should add it was rush hour in Regent's St.

Local Neighbourhood

2011-05-22T03:16:00.000-07:00

This image was taken as part of a project I'm working on showing the village aspect of London. Although the population of London is around 7.5 million, it is still in many ways just a collection of villages sitting side by side. A sense of community exists no matter what part of the city you live in.

Haircut Al Fresco

2011-05-21T01:32:00.000-07:00

This caught my eye. It is very different to what it appears at first glance. Haircut al fresco? No just a piece of cardboard against the fence.

Fill 'er up

2011-05-20T01:42:00.000-07:00

Green is good. Maybe the bike should be green and BP red. What do you think?

Crimes Against Women

2011-05-19T00:09:00.000-07:00

A new reminder that this was the area where the infamous Jack the Ripper murders took place.

Never solved, it still baffles those who investigate the events in Victorian London.

I nearly missed this small work that sits at footpath level and is about 6 inches high.
Crimes against women are making headlines around the world again at present. The ex-head of the IMF and the British Minister of Justice who seems confused as to what rape is.

Flying the Flag

2011-05-18T01:06:00.000-07:00

The Mall looked very grand with all the flags flying for that wedding. Some are still flying around Buckingham Palace this week.

We however have a drum roll and a red hat to announce the winner of our monopoly board competition. The prize is the fabulous monopoly revolution. The winner is:

Sue from London Cemeteries.

The answer is 40 squares.

However as you all debated if they were squares, spaces, rectangles or oblongs, I accepted answers that said 4 squares or 40 squares. These all went into the red hat for selection.

Thanks to those who entered the competition. Also thanks to all of you who took the tour and followed each day as we stopped on each square (place) on the board. I had fun bringing it to you and hope you enjoyed the game.

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Monopoly - Mayfair

2011-05-17T01:25:00.000-07:00

Monopoly - Dark Blue Square £400.

Our final square on the board. Mayfair the most expensive space to land.

Mayfair was named after the May Fair that was held in the area until 1764. It was moved as the locals felt it lowered the tone of the neighbourhood. (No wonder Guy Ritchie is having difficulty getting an extension of hours for his Mayfair Pub).
Most of the development of the area took place in the 17th and 18th centuries the largest landowners being the Rothschild's, Dukes of Westminster and The Grosvenors.
The United States has its huge embassy in Grosvenor Square (Mayfair) however they are moving to a less prestigious address for "security reasons".

You still have one more day to enter the competition to win a copy of Monopoly Revolution.
Winner announced tomorrow.

Monopoly - Luxury Tax

2011-05-16T00:58:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Luxury Tax £100

The tax man always looking for something else to tax. Now even the Royals have come under their scrutiny. The Queen must now publish her annual accounts in the same manner as a public company.

Remember to enter the monopoly competition on this blog, final day for entries tomorrow, winner announced the day after.

Monopoly - Park Lane

2011-05-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Dark Blue Square. £350

We are now in the most expensive area of our monopoly board. Park Lane was once a lovely country lane running alongside Hyde Park. How very different now. A major thoroughfare with big hotels, prestigious car sales and expensive apartment blocks.

If you've just popped in go to yesterday's post to enter the competition.

Monopoly - Chance

2011-05-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

We have now reached the last chance square on the board. Our game has a special card that you have just picked up.

A chance to win Monopoly Revolution.

MONOPOLY for a new generation! MONOPOLY: Revolution Edition has sound effects and fun song clips from the past five decades, a round game board and an electronic unit that acts as an electronic banker. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of MONOPOLY,this contemporary version features updated “here and now” pricing so when you pass GO you receive a whopping £2 million! All Chance and Community Chest cards are now held in the electronic unit and each has a song or sound effect to really bring the game experience to life!

Ok to be in with a chance to win all you have to do is answer the following question:

Q: How many squares are there on the monopoly board?

Leave your answer in the comments of this blog or email me:
aglimpseoflondon@gmail.com.

You have until the end of the game is played. ie until we reach Mayfair. At the end of the day, of the Mayfair post, all correct entries will go into the red hat (previous competitors will be familiar with the red hat). The winner will be announced the following day.

Good Luck!

Monopoly - Fenchurch Station

2011-05-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Board £200.

The first station constructed inside the city (that is the square mile known as The City of London), opening in 1841. One of the smallest train stations yet one of the busiest. All those city boys pouring into the banks each day to make their big bonuses.
This station doesn't link to the underground. Nearly had the jubilee line go through when that was constructed in 1999, but politics got in the way and it didn't eventuate. It is however just a weeny walk to Tower Hill that is a tube station.

Now blogger deserves a go to jail card in our game as they have been out of action for more than 24 hours. They are still trying to recover yesterday's postings. Fancy losing Bond St! All those millions. Don't worry I will bring it back if they haven't recovered it by tomorrow.

Monopoly - Bond Street

2011-05-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

Monopoly green square £320.

You don't come here for the sales. Last year named the most expensive retail location in Europe. Luxury stores have been here since the early 18th century.
Expect security guards at the door of many of the stores. Designer labels, bespoke shoes, enormous handbags, (recently popular with the smash and grab moped gang. Jewellery so expensive they now have a digital version of tiaras for you to try on. (Perfect accessory for a royal wedding.) Pop into Sotheby's for a couple of old masters for the walls.

Monopoly - Community Chest

2011-05-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

You know the square, pick up a card. Go to jail, get out of jail free, pay school fees, it's your birthday collect £10, Life insurance matures collect £100, Pay hospital fees of £100, etc.

In the UK if you have an accident you will be rescued. You will be treated in hospital and you wont be asked to show an insurance card first.
One of the organisations that may be called out to rescue you is the London Air Ambulance,. Road accidents, falls from heights, stabbings, shootings, all in a day's work for them.
They are a charity and need to raise funds. Last weekend a few brave souls abseiled off this building at Canary Wharf and convinced friends family and the general public to donate for their bravery or is that madness. Looked pretty scary to me.

Next fund raising event is a road race in July. You can enter or donate or both.

Monopoly - Regent Street

2011-05-10T00:57:00.000-07:00

Monopoly green square. £300.

"They seek him here, they seek him there,
In Regent Street and Leicester Square. "

Where will you find these words?

A: "Dedicated follower of Fashion" Kinks 1966.

The very fashionable Regent Street was built in 1825, part of the town planning by architect John Nash, although with the exception of All Souls Church, none of his buildings exist today.

Ever since the Great Fire (1666) there had been plans to put some order into the warren of small streets and lanes, with the intention of making it commercial not residential. Christopher Wren had ideas based on a classical formal model but it was nearly 200 years later and Nash's plans of grand thoroughfares before Parliment approved any work.

Now every building in this street is a heritage building of at least Grade II status.
Events to look forward to are the Christmas lights, always opened by a celebrity areound the beginning of November. Taste of Spain in June.

Monopoly - Oxford St

2011-05-09T00:30:00.000-07:00

Monopoly green Square. £300.

We have turned the corner and are on the last side of the board.

You need a much bigger wallet for this final stretch. Believe it or not Oxford Street forms part of the A40 following an old Roman road, although it is not intended as a major driving route anymore. Buses are generally backed up nose to tail making it quicker to walk. Be prepared for bruised shoulders however as this is possibly the most dense shopping street in Europe with 548 shops and thousands of people every minute of the day.
To ease congestion this diagonal crossing opened in 2009, the only one in central London. Not a good idea to cross once the lights have gone green for traffic, I've witnessed many accidents in this street.

Monopoly - Go to Jail

2011-05-08T01:05:00.000-07:00

That dreaded square. Go directly to jail, do not pass Go do not collect £200.

Monopoly - Leicester Square

2011-05-07T00:51:00.000-07:00

Monopoly yellow square. £260.

Named after the Earl of Leicester who owned a large plot of land with a flash house that he enclosed preventing people access to previous common land.
The public were rather cross with this situation and asked King Charles I to intervene. He asked the privy court to arbitrate. The court waved its authoritative finger at the Earl and gave a part of the his land to the public.

This area known as Leicester Field became popular for entertainment.
Now famous for movie theatres and red carpet star studded opening nights.

The square is undergoing major renovations at present so I have taken the above picture in the area known as the Swiss Court.
Shown is the Cantonal Tree. Erected in 1991 as part of the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation as a token of friendship between Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The tree bears the arms of the twenty six cantons of Switzerland.

Monopoly - Piccadilly

2011-05-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

Monopoly yellow square. £280.

Piccadilly a major street that runs from Hyde Park corner to Piccadilly Circus. Bring a big wallet to shop or stay. Tea at the Ritz? Chocolates from Fortnum and Mason? Wander down Piccadilly Arcade (pictured here) and order your shirts, British shoes or maybe buy a toy soldier or wedgewood china.

Monopoly - Coventry Street

2011-05-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

Monopoly yellow square. £260.

Fast food and entertainment are the hallmarks of this short street that runs from Piccadilly to Leicester Square. Even in Victorian times it was known for its music halls.

Monopoly - Kings Cross Station

2011-05-04T00:20:00.000-07:00

Monopoly £200.

Built in 1852 as the hub for the Great Northern Railway. The station and the area of Kings Cross named after King George IV.
Urban folklore is that this was the site of Queen Boudica's final battle and that her body lies somewhere under the current platform 10.

Monopoly - Trafalgar Square

2011-05-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

Monopoly red square. £240.
Trafalgar Square one of the world's most famous places for protests and gatherings. Even the pigeons attempt large assemblies which hawks are brought in to manage.

Monopoly - The Strand

2011-05-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

Monopoly red square. £220.

The Strand a street of Saxon origins, runs from Trafalgar Square to Fleet Street and marks the border of the City of London. Hundreds of years ago the high street of Westminster. Many grand houses with river side existed along the Strand. Somerset house one that still stands.

Monopoly - Fleet St

2011-05-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

Monopoly red square. £220.

I've missed a corner square. Free parking. I couldn't find any in London!
Fleet St named after the Fleet river that now runs under it. In medieval times this river ran alongside London's wall. Close to Temple and the Knights of Templar.
Still an area of the legal fraternity. The Royal Courts of Justice the magnificent building in the photo.
Also famous for years as the newspaper street whose offices were all here until the 1980's.

Monopoly - Vine St

2011-04-30T00:29:00.000-07:00

Monopoly orange square. £200.

The Jewish quarter of the East end. My secret find here was a section of the original London wall closed in the basement of the Metropolitan University on the corner of Vine and Jury Streets. I'll bring you more after further research of this quarter for you. One of my treasures on this trail.

Monopoly - Marlborough St

2011-04-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Monopoly orange square. £180.

This square differs depending on which monopoly board you are following. We are following the Ordnance Survey map see GO. This takes us over to SW3. An area of public housing since the beginning of the 20th century.
This apartment covered in hand prints caught my eye. The woman who lives here has fostered children most of her adult life. Currently fostering her 20th child, in 19 years. These prints are those of all those children. The star of our tour don't you think?

Monopoly - Bow Street

2011-04-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Board orange square. £180.

Bow st runs along side the Royal opera House in Covent garden. An area steeped in history.
The first professional police forces originated here. In 1749 a group of just eight men known as the Bow St runners, a nickname they didn't like. They felt it a derogatory term. Working alongside the Bow St magistrates court they represented the first formalised and regulated policing. Finally disbanded in 1839.

Monopoly - Liverpool St Station

2011-04-27T00:44:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Board £200.

One of London's busiest stations seeing 123 million people a year pass through.

This entrance to the station has a sculpture as a memorial to the 10,000 Jewish children who were brought to the UK a few months prior to the second World War from Nazi Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Danzig. They were placed in foster homes, hostels and farms.

Monopoly - Northumberland Avenue

2011-04-26T00:29:00.000-07:00

Monopoly pink square. £160.

A short street that runs between Trafalgar Square and Embankment.
The Earl of Northumberland built Northumberland house here in 1608. A grand place with gardens running down to the river.
The title for Duke of Northumberland was initially created in 1551. The title changed families three times, finally being awarded to the Percy family in 1766 where it currently remains.
The property on Northumberland Avenue was sold by the Percy family to the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1874 for the creation of the Northumberland Avenue.

Monopoly - White-Hall

2011-04-25T00:33:00.000-07:00

Monopoly pink square. £140.

Whitehall is the road that runs from Westminster (houses of Parliament) to Trafalgar Square. Lined with government departments and ministries.

The horse guards about half way along Whitehall. Headquarters to the British Army's general staff since 1751, built on the site of the old Whitehall Palace that was destroyed by fire in 1698.

Thousands of tourists come to see the daily ceremony of changing horse guards, but not so many know about the museum here. Worth a visit, next time you are in town.

Monopoly - Electric Company

2011-04-24T00:33:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Board £150.

What picture to give you for the electric company? Well I've posted Battersea power station a couple of times on this blog so I went searching for something different. I found Lots Road power station. Originally coal fired then later oil-fired. This station suits our monopoly tour as it was commissioned in 1905 to supply power to the trains as they changed from steam to electricity. At the time it was the largest power station ever built and powered most of the underground and continued until 2002. Now all the power comes from the national grid.

Monopoly - Pall Mall

2011-04-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

Monopoly pink square. £140.

Paille Maille a game played in the 16th and 17th centuries, a little like croquet, was played here and hence the name Pall Mall.
These days home to several exclusive gentlemen's clubs.

Monopoly - Jail

2011-04-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

Monopoly - Go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect salary.
Throw a double to get out or have a get out of jail free card.

Pentonville prison was completed in 1842 and was a model for a further54 prisons built over the next 6 years.
Conditions vastly better and healthier than at Newgate, that is was designed to replace, although Newgate only closed in 1902. Condemned prisoners were now housed in a new wing at Pentonville. The last execution took place 6 July 1961.

Monopoly - Angel Islington

2011-04-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

Monopoly blue Square. £100

The area commonly known as "The Angel" was named after an inn near a toll gate to the city on the corner of Islington High St and Pentonville Road in the Parish of Clerkenwell dating back to 1603.
Now the angel has wings.
The giant sculpture that stands in the shopping complex shown in the photo above is by Wolfgang Buttress. The winning entry in the National Architect Foundation competition in 2003.

Monopoly - Pentonville Road

2011-04-20T00:29:00.000-07:00

Monopoly blue Square. £120.

Pentonville Road forms part of the inner ring road of London, running /east from Kings Cross to Angel Islington. One of the busiest roads in the city. This stretch is looking down to Kings Cross station.
If you've just popped in to this blog, we are currently on a tour of the monopoly board starting from GO and taking in each square.

Monopoly - Chance

2011-04-19T00:46:00.000-07:00

Monopoly Board - Pick up a chance card. Try your hand at lotto, horses, football whatever you fancy taking a chance at.

Monopoly - Euston Road

2011-04-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

Monopoly blue square. £100.

This was the new road in 1756 to provide a route for sheep and cattle to be driven to Smithfield Market. However it upset the Duke of Bedford as it cut off a bit of his estate. An act of Parliament was required to get it through.
Nowadays it is a main route (A501) and is the edge of the congestion zone (the part of the inner city that you have to pay to enter) as a result it one of the busiest inner city routes.

Monopoly - Marylebone Station

2011-04-17T00:16:00.000-07:00

First of the stations. Landing here will cost £200.

Marylebone station is one of the prettiest stations in London. No underground leaves from here. Opened in 1899, one of the last of the rail lines to be built.

Monopoly - Income Tax

2011-04-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

Income Tax Square. Pay £200.

Wouldn't we love it to really be just £200. This tower houses HMRC (Her Majesty's revenue collector). Tax collection has always been and probably always will be the most unpopular thing in our lives.

Monopoly - Old Kent Road

2011-04-15T00:47:00.000-07:00

Old Kent Road on the Monopoly Board is Brown. Value £60.

First appearances this is not an exciting area. However a road has existed here since Roman times. Chaucer's pilgrims walked along here on their way to Canterbury.

Monopoly - Whitechapel

2011-04-14T01:10:00.000-07:00

Whitechapel on the monopoly board is brown. Value £60.

Whitechapel has so many places of interest it was difficult to decide what to show you. That was until I discovered the bell foundry. What an interesting place. Casting bronze bells since 1570. The bells from this foundry are all over the world. Big Ben in London, Liberty bell in America, New Zealand, and Iceland all have bells from here.
The largest bell weighing three tons is Great Peter at Gloucester. It's not all about large bells. They also make small hand rung bells.
Above is a photo taken in the workshop where the supports for the bells are made. The happiest place to work they told me. Once here we never want to leave.
I'm keen to see the foundry itself, where the bells are cast using the same methods since medieval times. Only a few are permitted each year as it is a fully working foundry, not a museum. My name is down to hopefully be selected next year!

Monopoly - Go

2011-04-13T02:04:00.000-07:00

I will be travelling for a couple of weeks, while I'm on my adventure I am going to take you on your very own adventure.
The board game "monopoly" celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. The original design was created by Quaker Elizabeth Magie in 1903. She wanted to demonstrate through play that property enriched landlords and impoverished tenants.
However it was in 1935 that the Parker Brothers took the concepts of this design and created the game we now know as monopoly. As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of this later game, Ordnance Survey worked with monopoly to produce a bespoke map and discover where GO actually is.

Using this map you are going to travel around the monopoly board over the next few weeks.
We begin today with GO: Lambeth North Tube Station.

“By using Ordnance Survey’s latest digital product, OS VectorMap District, we were able to accurately locate “Go”. We mapped the positions of Mayfair and Old Kent Road, which sit either side of “Go”, and then accurately calculated that Lambeth North tube station was the central point between the two and therefore the location of “Go”
quote from - http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/media/news/2010/aug/monopoly.html

Easter Bunny

2011-04-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

Giant bunny has appeared in Covent Garden. Created by the students of the Academy of Flowers using symbols of spring; moss,foliage and flowers.

Crutched Friars

2011-04-11T01:10:00.000-07:00

Like most parts of London, if you find a pub or a street with a name like this then there is history associated with the name.
The area near Tower Hill was named after a group of Friars arrived here around 1244. They wore a wooden cross around their neck and had a red fabric cross on their habit. Thus "crutched" an old word for cross.

Remember When

2011-04-10T00:30:00.000-07:00

Remember this moment? Recreated by artist Maria von Köhler, causing nearly as much controversy as the original moment.

Museum of Childhood

2011-04-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

Not just for children. The museum of childhood shows so much about the lives of those growing up in earlier periods. Grand doll's houses, puppets, games. Do you know what a zoetrope is? Children's clothing and cots. They've certainly changed a lot.
Rocking horses from several centuries, beginning with a wooden horse believed to have belonged to Charles I in 1610.

Skywatch Friday - Bethnal Green

2011-04-08T02:04:00.000-07:00

London's parks are looking magnificent at present with all the blossom appearing.

Follow other skies around the world today.

Little Shop of Horrors

2011-04-07T00:56:00.000-07:00

A treat for you today. This wee gem in Hackney describes themselves as "a 17th Century wunderkabinet". Don't expect PC here. Taxidermy everything from ravens to dogs with wings. Victorian erotica, medical props, two-headed teddies. Racks of furs and bloodied arms lay side by side. A ceramic doll sits at the table next to a lion while a creepy bug dangles near your face.
The Last Tuesday Society claims they have "everything for all your domestic needs".

Ice-Cream or Beer

2011-04-06T00:56:00.000-07:00

Less and less of these iconic cones are seen outside the corner store. Postcards, beer, ice-cream, bread, cleaners and more. All those handy things if you just pop down the street.

Parking

2011-04-05T01:53:00.000-07:00

A bike chained to the railings outside the Ethiopian Church.

Peeking around the Tree

2011-04-04T00:54:00.000-07:00

Some local street art.

Elevator

2011-04-03T01:47:00.000-07:00

An original elevator from the department store Selfridges, now in the Museum of London. Just over a hundred years old Selfridges was the first store to allow customers in to "just browse". In Victorian times one only went into a store to make a purchase. It was unheard of to actually leave without having bought anything.

Nose for You

2011-04-02T02:58:00.000-07:00

I've been described as someone with an eye for the beautiful and the bizarre. Today I'm living up to the bizarre.

You wont find this in your tourist books.

The nose on the arch of Trafalgar square is said to be that of the Duke of Wellington. Placed at just the right height for horse riders to touch for good luck as they ride past.

Wait until I find the eye and ear!

April Theme Day - Edges

2011-03-31T23:57:00.000-07:00

Walking close to the edge they became shadows of their former being.

To see other CDP theme day entries
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Count Down

2011-03-31T02:02:00.000-07:00

Keeping an eye on the Olympic count down clock recently installed in Trafalgar Square.

Cool Art - Charlie Anderson

2011-03-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

Last night was the opening of an exciting young Scottish artist, Charlie Anderson, at the "Art of Money" gallery. The work is vibrant and colourful. First glimpse it appears to be a collage of posters and billboards or newspaper cuttings, however it has all been created by paint.
Street art in the gallery.

Charlie is winner of several awards including being winner of the British Airways Degree Show. prize in 2009. This is an artist to watch.

Inflation

2011-03-29T01:03:00.000-07:00

An old English euphemism for visiting this establishment was to 'go and spend a penny'. It's origins are due to the locks on the doors where you had to literally put a penny in a slot to open the door. The first public loos to put locks on the doors were outside the Royal Exchange in the 1850's. I guess how much "value" you get for your 30p is entirely up to you gentlemen!