| January 15th 2010 |
|
Whaling Demonstration
Was walking along Piccadilly today and noticed a demonstration outside the Japanese embassy. It was an anti-whaling demo. I remember seeing some demonstrators there before, demonstrating about the same thing, so it looks like Japan has a thing about catching big fish (ok mammals).
Here's a hot tip if you are planning a demonstration, use a "honk" banner, like these demonstrators did. London drivers need very little encouragement to honk their horns, so you are bound to get some response. Sure enough, these guys got a lot of honks from passing motorists. Which is pretty good because the people inside the embassy were probably doing their best to ignore the demo, but they couldn't ignore all the horn blasting outside! There was quite a visible police presence compared to other demos I have seen, including some armed guys. Don't know what it is about whale protestors that merits this, maybe some of the animal rights people getting a bit excited at times? Maybe because Japan is a big prosperous country, it gets the special treatment? I didn't take a picture of the armed coppers. In post-Blair (known to the sane as "prick") Britain, that would have got me arrested for terrorism. Posted in categories Politics Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=37 |
| December 31st 2009 |
|
Egyptian Embassy Demonstration
Happened to pass the Egyptian Embassy in South Street, Mayfair today. There was a demonstration outside, protesting about Egpyt building a steel wall along it's border with the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian people getting a hard time yet again, which is a disgrace.
Sorry about the crap photo, taken on my phone, light not great. Related Links More info Posted in categories Events Places Politics Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=36 |
| December 20th 2009 |
|
Royal Albert Hall Christmas Singalong
Went to the Royal Albert Hall last night for a Christmas carol singalong! It's a hoot. I'm not religious but it's very "Christmassy" and good fun. There's not many people can say they have sung at the Albert Hall!
For me, it's as much about the venue, it's a beautiful hall, takes your breath away when you walk in. I took the picture from my seat in the stalls. Related Links Royal Albert Hall Posted in categories Events Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=35 |
| December 16th 2009 |
|
Snow in London Town!
11am. Okay, it's tiny flakes but it's still snow! White Christmas?
3pm. Flakes are getting bigger and it's lying in places! 7pm. Snow has gone, just wet and miserable now! Posted in categories Weather Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=34 |
| December 4th 2009 |
|
Hyde Park Christmas Fair
The fair is in town! Well, in Hyde Park at any rate! They've got lots of stalls and rides, and an ice rink too. Very festive! If you plan to visit, try to avoid busy times, evenings/weekends. I got stuck in the middle of it last year when taking a "short cut" through the park! Most of the attractions are either-side of the road, and it gets jammed solid when it's busy...not fun!Posted in categories Events Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=33 |
| December 4th 2009 |
|
Snow in Hyde Park?!
Here's a pile of snow in Hyde Park. Only thing is...it hasn't been snowing! I presume it was left over from some event or other. It's real snow alright, the sort you get in indoor skiing centres. As a skier I was delighted to see it and had to have a stamp on it to feel the consistency! It's been pretty cold the past couple of days, which has helped preserve it.Posted in categories Weather Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=32 |
| November 26th 2009 |
|
Freddie Mercury's House
I recently discovered that Freddie Mercury's house was in Kensington, not too far from me. Took a walk out to see it today. It's at 1 Logan Place and is called the Garden Lodge.
He lived here from 1980 until his death in 1991 (he died in the house). In his last years he spent most of his time here. When he died, this place became a site of pilgrimage, still is to a point. Fans left a lot of messages and graffiti on the door and the wall (you can see pictures of it from the links below). It was cleaned up in recent years. The door looks like it was painted very recently, and there is hardly any graffiti on the door or walls (there is a little bit but you can't really see it in these pictures). I think that's a bit disrespectful to the current owner (Mary Austin, Freddie's one-time partner and lifelong soulmate) when you can clearly see that some work has been done to make it clean and presentable. I'm not what you would call a huge Queen fan, but like most people I think they are pretty good and Bohemian Rhapsody was about the best pop/rock song ever written! Related Links More pictures and info QueenConcerts.com Posted in categories People Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=31 |
| November 17th 2009 |
|
A load of balls?
The Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, are currently exhibiting work by the sculptor Anish Kapoor, including this spectacular sculpture in the courtyard.
It's a bunch of chrome balls stuck together with "no visible means of support". Actually, they are mirror-polished stainless steel, but look like chrome! It's a lovely thing, and very well made, you can't see the joins or how the balls are held together. According to the RA website, this sculpture "both disorientates and distorts, challenging our traditional notion of form and space". Personally I didn't feel challenged when I viewed it, just thought it was a handsome piece of work! Related Links Royal Academy Posted in categories Events Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=30 |
| November 17th 2009 |
|
Festive Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is a posh grub shop that has been on Piccadilly since 1707. They specialise in hampers and have got a good range for Christmas. You can even order them online. Check out their website below.
Passed the shop today and noticed they had their Christmas trees up. Good to see them using traditional Norway Spruce trees. The picture shows the trees above the front door, beneath the famous clock (it chimes and little figures come out). Every time I see the store, I am reminded of the scene in the movie Darling, where Julie Christie (Darling) and her pal go into Fortnum & Mason for a shoplifting spree! Decided against trying that today (honest Guv)! Related Links Fortnum & Mason Posted in categories Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=29 |
| November 1st 2009 |
|
Autumn In South Kensington
It's been raining leaves!!Posted in categories Weather Nature Places Post URL https://londontownblog.com/posts.php?post=28 |
107 posts - Viewing page 8 of 11