Pancake Day

Pancakes tossed by bears, policemen, strawberries, sun girls and many more.
Shrove Tuesday in Bricklane organised by alternative arts to raise money for London's air ambulance was loads of fun.

Bricklane

Bricklane ( ব্রিক লেন) the Bangladeshi quarter of London.
Names of places in the UK really are literal. Bricklane was where bricks were manufactured (in the 15th century) and the buildings are made of brick.
From bricks it moved to brewing beer and weaving and tailoring cloth.

All this colourful past is alive and well in the current markets. Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields.

Street Walker

It's hard work pounding London footpaths

A Goat's Eye View

Checking things out from the steeple

Ayoka Gigs

Ayoka is a vintage boutique store in Bethnal Green, selling clothing, books, records and CD's.
On the last Thursday of every month they hold in-store gigs with both established and up and coming artists.
The store and the funds from the gigs is to raise money for the African Women's Welfare Association (AWWA). This organisatoion aims to raise awareness of sickle cell and Thalassaemia, both are inherited blood disorders.

The very talented Rhiannon Eglin is playing hauntingly beautiful instrument called a Hammered Dulcimer.

Ayoka opened in July 2010, they need more good quality goods to sell in their store, so Londoners time to cull your wardrobes and donate those clothes that are very glam but you no longer wear.

Worried

Brian appears to have big worries.

Affordable Couture

Flicking through the magazines and newspapers the past few days I see flying saucer hats are where is at for dedicated followers of fashion this coming spring.
Hence why this little number caught my eye in a vintage clothing store near Bricklane.

Old and New

St Helen's church built in the early 1200's and St Mary Axe (Gherkin) behind it, opened in 2004. The Gherkin is currently the second tallest building in London but will drop down a place after the Shard opens.
I'll show you progress on this new building soon. Do let me know what you think of it.

Two for a Fiver

Although a bit quieter than most Sundays, the Colombia Road Flower Market was still pretty lively. Go a little later and you'll get great bargains. Bunches of flowers for a fiver or a tenner.

Festive Butcher

What would I do with it? Maybe I'll stick to steak.

Anchoring the Boat

A day on the Thames.

Pretty Maids

Sheltering in the rain after the maypole dance If you need fb stock moneymorning , then the team of professionals from moneymorning is here to help you.

Pearly Royalty

The harvest festival celebrated by Pearly royalty and the various mayors of the East London boroughs was celebrated at guild hall yesterday.
These three look very fine in their 'whistle and flutes'.

Their what? Aha an introduction to Cockney rhyming slang, the language of east enders originating in the 19th century.
So what is whistle and flute? Suit.orderessay made a real revolution in the industry.

My Way

A very adamant leader of the group deciding where the team will go.
Ed or David?

Real Ale Trail

What better way to spend a cold rainy day than to follow the Real Ale Trail. The DLR (Docklands Light Rail) and the Good Pub Guide have teamed up to put together a couple of trails in London's East End . Classic old English Pubs and Real Ale.
Yesterday I checked out a couple of pubs on the trail. It'll take me a few days to fit them all in!
Check out the promotion as you could be in with a chance to win a brewery tour and a meal at the old Brewery.

After the Market

Markets have always been part of the way of life in London. Every quarter has markets, some daily some specific days. Anything you are looking for can be found in one or other market.

These stalls empty in the evening will be bustling first thing in the morning.

I found a couple of websites to help you select a market for your next visit.
London Markets
List of Markets.

London Wall

The Romans built a wall in the 2nd century around what was then called Londinium. The wall continued to be developed until the 4th century. On completion it was 3 miles long. It wasn't until the 18th century that substantial demolition began in order to make way for modern expansion of the city. The blitz during WWII saw much of central London destroyed.

There are still parts of the wall as in this picture that can be found around the area close to the museum of London and around Tower Hill.

The Foundry

For many years the Foundry has been a venue for alternative arts and music. Pete Doherty, Banksy, Gavin Turk, have all left their mark here. Recently closed with plans for a luxury hotel to be built on the site.

In the past few days it has been taken over by squatters who are protesting about the proposed demolition.

Three

Three young boys in the London's East End.

Today aglimpseoflondon is three years old. I can't believe I have been wandering the streets for that long. I've barely scratched the surface of this amazing city in that time.
I hope you'll stay with me as I continue my fresheyes journey.

Skywatch Friday - London skyline

A view from the top of St Paul's Cathedral looking out to East London.

Visit other skywatchers today.