Coal Hole Covers

A typical Hayward Brothers Coal Plate, that is roughly 150 years old.

While walking the streets of London, I always make sure to look down as well as up. It was on one of walks from Kensington to Baker Street, via a convoluted route, that I properly noticed these small, iron plates. I had passed them many times before, but I had never really paid them much attention. What a mistake?!

These are Coal Hole Covers, which are fast vanishing from London's streets. Some of them are plain, while others are quite ornate. Some have no wording, which makes it difficult to identify the manufacturer, while others are proudly stamped with the ironmongers name, or company.

'Giro', The German Ambassador's Dog

"Giro"
A Faithful Companion!
London in February 1934.
Hoesch.

I am amazed when walking around London, even if it is a place that I have visited many times before, the amount of weird or unusual things that I have previously missed.

For instance: I have walked around, along and through Waterloo Place many times. Whether going to Pall Mall from The Mall, or looking at the various statues or simply just wandering around the area. But, not once, in all of these visits, had I noticed this little grave to "Giro", nestled beneath a tree.

I had to find out more about this curious little grave.

Texas Legation

Legation for the Republic of Texas.

Friday October 28, 2016.

It was a late October evening when, after a visit to The Prince Charles Cinema, I decided to go in search of the long-forgotten offices for the Republic of Texas. 

I knew where it had been situated, but, at this time of evening, I was unsure if I would be able to find the plaque. 

Policeman's Hook

A one-of-a-kind cloak hook.

Friday September 30, 2016.

It was a beautiful Summer's day, as I strolled down Long Acre on one of my strolls around the Unfinished City. As I reached the junction I was unsure of which direction to take, so I mentally flipped a coin and decided to head along Great Newport Street. 

As I crossed the road I noticed this peculiar looking hook, on a wall of one of the buildings. As I had never seen anything like it I decided to take a photo, so that I could do some research when I returned home. As it turns out, this is the only Metropolitan Police Hook in London.

Roman Bath

Roman? Tudor, more like!

Saturday June 6, 2015.

This is one of the more unusual, hidden gems of the Unfinished City, that I had been eager to see for quite a while. The National Trust, who look after the Roman Bath, state that the you can visit at any time between 09:00 and dusk, to view the Roman Bath through a grill, but viewing of the interior must be made by contacting Westminster Council.

However, having visited on a number of occasions, the door has always been locked, except one time. On that visit, the window, through which you can view the interior, was so grimy that I couldn't make anything out. There is a light, that works on a timer, to illuminate the interior, but this was out of order. Maybe next time will be better.

'Peter the Great' by Mihail Chemiakin

A gift from the Russian People.

Monday May 13, 2013.

It was during one of my Greenwich walks that I stumbled across this rather odd, and creepy looking, statue of Peter the Great. 

I had started at the Thames Barrier before heading westward, to see HMS Ocean, which was moored at the Old Royal Naval College. After taking a few photos I continued on my journey towards Tower Bridge, happy that I had got the photos I had hoped for. 

But, as I turned the corner, on to Glaisher Street, I noticed this rather peculiar, odd and creepy statue. So, once again, I took some photos.