One New Change: Viewing Area

Reflecting on St Paul's Cathedral. 

Sunday July 31, 2022.

One of the major developments over the last few decades, which enhances the appeal of London, is the new buildings that include viewing areas, nearly always on the roof, that allow free access for the public to see London from a different perspective.

Looking across at St Paul's Cathedral.

So it was that after a visit to the Museum of London, I took Erin and Keilyn to the top of the One New Change building, via its glass lifts, to see the view.

'Ariel' by Boris Anrep with the Barbican towers in the background.

From its location opposite St Paul's Cathedral it is this iconic building that you see while travelling up in the lift, and the first thing you see when you walk onto the viewing area.

With dusk fast approaching London takes on a new light.

The panoramic view allows you to see The Shard and along the River Thames to the London Eye and more. On clear days you can see the Crystal Palace transmitting station radio mast.

The Shard, Crystal Palace transmitter, London Eye and St Paul's.

But, for a truly great experience, sunset offers some amazing photo opportunities, which I hope to take the girls to see, later in the year.

Sunset.

There is also a mosaic and stone carvings to admire, towards the northwest of the viewing area.

'Ariel' by Boris Anrep (1883-1969).

'St George Combatant' by Sir Charles Wheeler (1892-1974).

Suitably impressed with the views Erin, Keilyn and I made our way to the lifts and headed off on the next part of our walk.

Mudchute Park and Farm

A sheep at Mudchute Park and Farm with Canary Wharf in the background.

Sunday July 3, 2022.

I had been meaning to take Erin and Keilyn to Mudchute Park and Farm for quite a while, now, so, as we had nothing else planned, we set off to the station (Metropolitan line to Finchley Road, Jubilee line to Canary Wharf) and began our latest exploratory.

After exiting Canary Wharf station we took a meandering route along the old docks, where yachts and narrowboats were moored, while some people had taken to the still waters in kayaks.

Canary Wharf on a Sunday.

Eventually we found East Ferry Road and made our way around the Asda car park, which brought us to the entrance of Mudchute Park and Farm.

From this entrance you can take a number of routes as the path branches in a number of directions. We took the centre one, which led us past meadows and fields until we reached a Remembrance Garden and a 3.5" Ack-Ack gun. 

Erin and Keilyn with an Ack-Ack anti-aircraft gun.

Blue Plaque: 'Danger Mouse'

"He's the greatest, he's fantastic, wherever there is danger he'll be there. 

He's the ace, he's amazing, he's the strongest, he's the quickest, he's the best."

The home of Danger Mouse.

Friday June 24, 2022.

I had heard rumours that a Blue Plaque had been affixed to a pillar box, in London, showing where Danger Mouse lived. So, off we went.

Danger Mouse's Blue Plaque.

The Metropolitan Line

 

Metropolitan 1 steam locomotive, celebrating 150 years of the Met line, in 2018.

Living in Watford, which is the largest town in Hertfordshire, I have access to excellent transport links to London, as well as other areas of the country. Just 16 miles from Central London I have a choice of National Rail, London Overground services or Transport for London's Metropolitan line service. It is the latter that I invariably use.

Trains at Watford Metropolitan station awaiting the morning rush hour.

The Metropolitan line station is just a 15 minute walk from my home and will get me to central London in just 40 minutes. I can also change to a different line like the Jubilee, while enroute, and end up in east London in a little over an hour.

Watford Metropolitan station decorated in celebration of 150 years.

As this is the line that I most commonly use, and it being the first of its kind in the world, I thought I would do a blog about its history.