A Victorian Beauty

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel will open its doors to the public 5 May 2011.
Originally the Midland Grand Hotel opened by Queen Victoria 5 May 1873, this stunning Gothic building was nearly demolished several times.
Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman led a protest in the 1960's to save the building. A statue of him stands in the Eurostar rail station next door.

Following a £150 million refurbish it has now been beautifully restored to its Victorian glamour. This is one of the smaller staircases. The grand staircase is regarded as the most majestic in England.
I'll bring you more in the weeks to come.

Countdown to the Games

The first of many sets of the Olympic rings was unveiled at St Pancras rail station the other day.
Just 508 days until the 2012 games begin in London.

Thanks to the games many of London's buildings and parks are getting a make over. Expect London to be in her finest gowns next year.

Travel Chaos

Airports have thousands camping on the floors, trains have been cancelled. All in all travelling at the moment is not a heap of fun.
Yesterday the queue for the eurostar stretched from inside the station along Euston Road, past the British library and down the side street. About 6,000 people, with a wait of 5-6 hours.

According to the papers, tempers were frayed and eurostar staff where surly and rude.

Not so. They were doing a sterling job trying to deal with a difficult situation. Handing out drinks and croissants, all with a smile. Directing people to the end of the mile long queue.

.

Not so. They were doing a sterling job trying to deal with a difficult situation. Handing out drinks and croissants, all with a smile. Directing people to the end of the mile long queue.

A perfect opportunity for comedian buskers I thought. Where were they?

Allsorts

Captured this giant liquorice allsort on a charity run at st Pancras station. Raising funds for Harry's million.

The Poet

Detail of Betjeman statue at St Pancras Station.

Waiting for a Train

It's impossible to miss the 9 metre high statue, by Paul Day, of the kissing couple at St Pancras Station. However there is more to see if you get up close.
A couple of years after its installation a frieze was added around the bottom. This is part of that frieze.
Meet there next time and take a good look at it.

Champagne while Waiting

The champagne bar at St Pancras station claims to be the longest champagne bar in th world. Still a great place to wait for or say goodbye to friends arriving or leaving on the eurostar. In winter the seats are heated so very cosy too.

Ping Pong

We've had pianos around the city to bring out the musician in us all. Now we have Ping to bring out the sports person in us all.

The program launched at St Pancras last night plans to place 100 tables around the city, complete with balls and bats.

Various pop-up tables will offer lessons, celebrity games and even a passport to be stamped each time you find a new table.

Go for it!