Victorian Vespasienne, Holborn

 

A Victorian Vespasienne (Pissoir)

Thursday September 10, 2020

One of the advantages of wandering, sometimes aimlessly, around the great city of London, is that you get to make some unique discoveries.

This is what happened as I made a meandering way from Euston station to Southwark. Taking a left here and a right there, I soon found myself near Lincoln's Inn Fields. As I continued, in a southeasterly direction, I found myself in a narrow alley, named Star Yard, at which point I noticed this cast-iron toilet block.

Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance

Idols in the Crossbones Garden.

 Thursday September 10, 2020.

And well we know

How the carrion crow

Doth feast in our Cross Bones graveyard.

        - John Constable

I have long been fascinated with the history of the Crossbones Graveyard, but access to it was always a hit-and-miss affair, due to the site being run by volunteers. So, whilst halfway through a 10 mile walk, I was surprised to find that the gates were open and I was welcomed inside. 

I walked along a covered, curving wooden walkway, which was covered in hops, and entered the Garden of Remembrance. All about were plants, shrubs, trees in raised beds of dry-stone walls. The soft lapping of water from an ornamental stream and a pond, barely discernible among the tall grass, was home to a myriad of insects and pond life.

Ribbons and messages of remembrance.

All about were small shrines, adorned with talismans and gifts left by the many visitors. Incense, wafting on the cool breeze, made the entire garden seem even more peaceful. It was hard to believe I was stood not far from London Bridge station and Borough High Street, such was the tranquillity of the place. 

National Army Museum

Napoleon's horse, Marengo, with a bust of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Friday February 21, 2020

As the schools were closed and I had the day off from work, I decided to take Erin and Keilyn to the Unfinished City, and maybe check out a museum.

We boarded the usual Metropolitan line train and disembarked at Baker Street, where we caught a Circle line train. Our idea was to alight at South Kensington, which was the closest station to the Science and Natural History museums. However, as we pulled into the station, we noticed that it was full of parents and children, obviously having decided to check out the museums, too. So, we stayed on the train and got off at Sloane Square, which was deserted.

A short walk down Sloane Gardens brought us to Royal Hospital Road, where we took a right and ended up at the National Army Museum. 

'Contorted Tunnel'

The contorted and carpeted tunnel, Hay's Galleria.

Sunday December 29, 2019.

I had long heard of a pedestrian tunnel that wound its way from the basement of the Hay's Galleria to Tooley Street, but I had never had the opportunity to look for it.

This changed on Sunday afternoon when, after taking my daughters to the toilets in the Hay's Galleria, I noticed a short brick tunnel, with offices to the right.

As soon as my girls were ready we headed along the tunnel, which took a right turn. Suddenly we were looking down the contorted, carpeted pedestrian tunnel. At the opposite end were a number of shops, all closed, and a gym that was full of athletic types, working out.

To the left were some stairs, which brought us out onto Tooley Street, almost opposite the London Bridge Underground entrance.

By the looks of the carpet this tunnel is rarely used, but, from now on, this will be the way that I will avoid the crowds, when heading to Hay's Galleria. Especially if it is raining.

'Walking with The Snowman'

The Snowman with Tower Bridge.

Sunday December 29, 2019.

With our Christmas celebrations finished, I thought it would be nice to get the girls out of the house, for some fresh air. London seemed the obvious place to go, Especially as there were still all of the Christmas Fairs, selling their wares, and a sculpture trail celebrating Raymond Briggs' 'The Snowman' to follow.

Arriving at London Bridge station we crossed Tooley Street and immediately found Snowman number 3 (Three French hens). All of the maps, showing the route to take, were already gone, but that didn't put us off.

So, we headed into Hay's Galleria, where we found Snowman number 4 (Four calling birds). Passing through the Galleria we soon found ourselves on the Queen's Walk and headed eastward. Sure enough, as we approached HMS Belfast, we found Snowman number 5 (Five golden rings} quickly followed by Snowman number 6 (Six geese a-laying).

Snowman number 10 (Ten lords a-leaping) was found by the water fountains, by More London, followed by Snowman number 11 (Eleven pipers piping), by City Hall.

We spotted a huge crowd near Duchess Walk and headed over. It was here that we found Snowman number 12 (Twelve drummers drumming).

Realising that we needed to backtrack, we headed along Duchess Walk, to avoid the crowds, and along Tooley Street, before returning to More London.

Snowman number 9 (Nine ladies dancing) was swiftly followed by Snowman number 8 (Eight maids a-milking).

Next, we discovered Snowman number 7 (Seven geese a-swimming) on English Grounds. We now only had to find two more.

Determining that they were probably on the Queen's Walk we headed into Hay's Galleria, again, and headed westward, towards London Bridge.

Just beyond London Bridge City Pier we discovered Snowman number 2 (Two turtle doves) and, just a short walk away, Snowman number 1 (A partridge in a pear tree), just before the steps that lead up to London Bridge.

With all of the Snowmen accounted for and photographed, we headed back to Hay's Galleria to get a hot chocolate and warm up.

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