"When the lions drink, London will sink."

One of the fully accessible lions.

If you walk along the Victoria Embankment you, like many others, will quite possibly have missed the large bronze lion heads that adorn the embankment walls, as they face the River Thames.

They were commissioned by Joseph Bazalgette to line the Albert and Victoria Embankments as part of the Victorian sewage system he had engineered. They were sculpted by Timothy Butler, between 1868–1870, who added mooring rings to each lion's mouth. 

Although this was more of a nod to the river, barges and boats would use them when mooring along the river. As the water levels changed and mooring points moved on, the lions eventually lost this role and were no more than redundant features on the river wall.  

Walking with family and friends: London Bridge to Bermondsey... and beyond

New prisoners in an old gaol.

Saturday January 31, 2026:

Cloudy with sunny spells, winds at 4 mph, 10°C (50°F)

Erin is really into art, often designing dresses and fashion items.

So, I decided that we should visit the Fashion and Textile Museum, where an exhibition celebrating sixty years of Cosprop was being held.

''Cornerstone' by Austin Emery.

Erin invited our friend, Steve, and, after meeting at Watford underground station, we set off. We changed trains at Finchley Road and took a Jubilee line train to London Bridge. The museum was just a few minutes walk from the station, so we stopped at Chapter 72 for some drinks, before exploring this part of Bermondsey. 

Just before 11:00 we joined the queue for the museum and waited to go in. A sign had been affixed to the door, stating that the next two visiting times were fully booked, requiring some in the queue to book timed slots for later in the day. We, fortunately, had pre-booked our tickets.

On entering the museum we were each handed a booklet containing almost 50 pages of detailed information on each of the items on display, how Cosprop was formed and a brief history.

1820s wedding dress for Miss Havisham from Great Expectations (1967).

The first item of clothing, on display, was Miss Havisham's dress from Great Expectations (1967), followed by uniforms from The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968) and War and Peace (1972).

Annual Commemoration of the Execution of King Charles I

On Saturday January 30, 1649, King Charles I was publicly executed outside Banqueting House, on Whitehall, by the Parliamentarians.

On Sunday January 25, 2026, the English Civil War Society held its annual commemoration of the illegal execution of King Charles I, by the Parliament, for the 54th time.

The costumed march of over 200 volunteers armed with muskets, pikes, swords and cannons began on The Mall, near St James's Palace, at 11:30 and made its way to Horse Guards Parade ground.

It was here that a religious drumhead service was held, a Colour was trooped and blessed, the Oath of Loyalty was administered and awards and commissions were presented. 

The wreath was then blessed and trooped around the whole army, before the honour guard took it and fixed it to the railings of Banqueting House, on Whitehall, bringing the ceremony to a close.

The official policy of the King's Army is to never refer to it as an execution as this infers a legal act, which this was not. 

Walking with family: Green Park to Horse Guards Parade... and beyond

The Annual Commemoration of the Execution of King Charles I.

Sunday January 25, 2026: 

Cloudy with light rain, with winds at 4 mph. 

7°C (44.6°F)

It was a chilly morning as Keilyn and I climbed into my uncle Martin's car for the short drive to Croxley station. My mum was already in the car, having been picked up first.

After the car was parked we made our way to the southbound platform and waited for our train. It was a Harrow-on-the-Hill-bound train, meaning that we would have to change to a Baker Street-bound train there. We took this train to Finchley Road, where we boarded a Jubilee line train the few stops to Green Park.

On leaving the station we entered Green Park and made our way down towards The Mall and St James's Park. We stopped to grab a hot drink from the Marlborough Gate kiosk, at which point a fine rain began to fall. With mum and Martin taking shelter beside the kiosk, Keilyn and I decided to go for a wander.

The old guard on leaving Buckingham Palace.

We crossed the Blue Bridge, passed the St James's Park drinking fountain and made our way onto Birdcage Walk. We then headed west, passing the barracks, before turning onto Spur Road and making our way to the corner of The Mall. It was from here that we watched the Guards marching by, having just completed the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. After they had passed us we continued along The Mall and found mum and Martin, with the slight rain finally stopping.

The King's Army of the English Civil War Society getting ready to march.

Along the north side of The Mall the King's Army of the English Civil War Society were mustering in preparation for their march. Small cannons, horses and all manner of weapons were being cleaned, groomed and inspected. 

'Bridge of Aspiration', Covent Garden

This odd looking bridge twisting above Floral Street, Covent Garden, isn't just a random piece of art, connecting two different buildings. It is highly functional and has a name: 'The Bridge of Aspiration'.