Sunday, October 15, 2017

'Golden Hinde'

London The Unfinished City
All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.

Sunday October 15, 2017.

I have often stopped to look at this replica of Sir Francis Drake's world famous ship, but still have yet to set foot on her decks. 

London The Unfinished City
Repairs are continuously underway.

Sometime soon I intend to take my girls aboard and, by so doing, will fulfil a personal dream.

Saturday, August 05, 2017

'City of Champions' by Stephen Brown

London The Unfinished City
Cast of Champions.

Cast, left to right : Amy Burke, Joel Arnold, Joe Southall, Steve Brown (writer and director), Ellie Ward, Maggie Robson and Ian McCurrach.

Saturday August 5, 2017.

I had a thoroughly amazing time watching the final night of City of Champions, at the London Theatre Workshop

The play took us through a roller coaster of emotions; some funny and humourous highs to some very dark and emotional lows. 

London The Unfinished City
London Theatre Workshop.


The cast were superb and really brought the characters to life with great dialogue and wonderful chemistry. 

I find myself fortunate to have seen this play twice and to have seen it grow from those first early drafts, some six years ago.



'Temple' by Damien Hirst

London The Unfinished City
A 'Temple' in the Heart of the City.
Saturday August 5, 2017.

This sculpture, by Damien Hirst, stands just to the east of Leadenhall Market. It is a sculpture that is gorgeously designed with amazing colours. 

It might not be to everyone's taste and may upset smaller children, but it is a beauty to behold. 




Saturday, May 27, 2017

Iron Maiden: Book of Souls Tour, 2017

Highlights of Iron Maiden's Book of Souls Tour, 2017, at the O2 Arena.

Saturday May 27, 2017.

Following the release of their latest, and possibly best, album, Iron Maiden were touring the world again. And, once again, David and myself would meet up in London, make a day of it and enjoy the concert.

Once again we met, ate and drank, before taking the Thames Clipper which was full of Iron Maiden fans to the Greenwich Peninsula.

Unlike 4 years ago, we made a point of watching the support act, Shinedown, as they were meant to be really good live. Now, any Iron Maiden fan, worth his salt, will tell you that the support act is there to fill the void before the main event and is usually an act being given the chance to play the big arenas. This time, however, things were different. Shinedown were electric and worked the crowd well. It was almost like they were the main act.

Having said that, when Iron Maiden did finally take to the stage, everything else was forgotten. As usual Iron Maiden blew everyone away.

Following the encore we made our way out of the arena and back to the Thames Clipper, and were homeward bound. 

Roll on the next tour.

Up the IRONS!

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Rendez-vous Tall Ships Regatta, 2017

 

London The Unfinished City
Looking across the River Thames towards the Old Royal Naval College.

Saturday April 15, 2017.

With more than 30 Tall Ships mooring up at Greenwich and Woolwich, I decided to head off with Erin and Keilyn to see these incredible ships.

Arriving at Embankment, by train, we caught a Thames Clipper to Greenwich, as this seemed the most appropriate way to see the ships. Plus, we got to sail beneath Tower Bridge, something the girls and I had wanted to do for a while.

London The Unfinished City
Looking back at Tower Bridge from the Thames Clipper.

As we reached Wapping we began to see some of the tall ships heading towards Greenwich. 

London The Unfinished City
'Christian Radich'.

From our perspective at the stern of our Thames Clipper the tall ships seemed to tower over us.

London The Unfinished City
'Tolkien'.

London The Unfinished City
'Christian Radich', a Thames City Cruise and 'Tolkein'.

Disembarking from our river taxi, we headed into the Old Royal Naval College and soaked up the atmosphere. Music, food and a real festival vibe greeted us.

London The Unfinished City
'Loth Lorien'.

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'Vera Cruz'.

London The Unfinished City
'Loth Lorien'.

Suitably entertained by the various music acts and more than suitably fed we made our wat towards the Cutty Sark, before heading down the spiral staircase, of the Greenwich Foot tunnel, and headed northward to Island Gardens.

London The Unfinished City

London The Unfinished City
'Santa Maria Manuela'.

London The Unfinished City
'Tolkien'.

London The Unfinished City
'Hydrogen' travelling from Woolwich.

After a great day looking at the various Tall ships and enjoying the festival atmosphere, we headed to the nearest DLR station and began our journey home.