Walking with friends: My Stag Day

Saturday March 3, 2012.

I was up early this morning, and I was looking forward to going to London for the day, with friends. After bathing, getting dressed, and after bathing Erin, I booked a taxi and headed for Watford Junction. 

I arrived at the station just before 09:00, and waited for Stephen Brown. Within a few minutes, he had arrived and, after purchasing our tickets, we made our way to the platform to await our train. We arrived at London Euston and headed into the labyrinth of tunnels to get the Northern line train to London Bridge. 

We arrived at London Bridge, just before 10:00 and headed into Borough Market and ordered breakfast at Maria's Cafe. I had a Steak bap, with rocket, olive oil and mushrooms. Beautiful. After breakfast, we had a look around the Market, before heading to the station to get the Jubilee line train to Canary Wharf. 

On arrival at Canary Wharf, we followed the seriously bad signage until we arrived at the DLR station. A few minutes later, and we were on our way to Greenwich, a place that I had not visited since I was at school. We alighted from the DLR at Cutty Sark station and made our way to the Old Royal Naval College. 

The Royal Naval College was based in Greenwich from 1873 until 1998 as a college to teach all aspects of naval sciences. More courses were added as and when new skills were developed. 

We walked around the grounds and viewed the buildings, before heading to Greenwich Market. The Market was packed with stalls selling wares of all kinds: Clothes, food, clocks, trinkets, magic tricks, paintings and coffee amongst others. I bought us both a coffee - Amaretto flavour for Stephen and Vanilla for me. I also bought 100 grams of Tia Maria flavoured ground coffee, for home. 

After leaving the Market, we headed for the Cutty Sark. 

The Cutty Sark was built in 1869, and, on February 16th 1870, the Cutty Sark left London on the first of eight trips to China. Throughout her working life, Cutty Sark transported cargoes such as Tea, wool and coal. She travelled to China, Japan, South and North America, Angola and more. In 1895, the Cutty Sark was sold to a Portuguese company, and her name was changed to Ferreira. In 1922, she was sold to another Portuguese owner, and she was renamed Maria do Amparo. She was then bought by an Englishman and, in 1923, her true name and nationality were restored. After being berthed in Falmouth and then Greenhithe, before being moved to her current, and final resting place. On May 21st 2007, a fire gutted the Cutty Sark, while she was having restoration work undertaken.

All around the ship, the paving and walkways are still being relayed, so it is difficult to see her clearly. The Cutty Sark will reopen to the public, next month. As time was getting on, we decided to head back towards the centre of town. It was at this point we decided to take the Clipper along the River Thames, rather than get the DLR and have to change trains at Canary Wharf. 

So, with the time close to 12:40, we boarded the Cyclone Clipper, and settled into our seats for our trip upriver. Having never travelled along this part of the River Thames, it was exciting to see the housing developments, and how each had been uniquely designed.

We arrived at Tower Bridge and disembarked the Cyclone Clipper, on the North Bank, in front of the Tower of London. After walking along the Thames, in front of the Tower of London, we came to Tower Bridge. We crossed the river here, and headed along the South Bank, towards London Bridge. 

Old Royal Naval College

Domes and Pillars.

Saturday March 12, 2012.

It was an overcast, but mild, Saturday afternoon, when I took my first trip to the Old Royal Naval College.

It had been on my list of places to visit, within the Unfinished City for many years. I had visited the Cutty Sark and the Greenwich Peninsula, but these buildings had always escaped me.

Thankfully, because of the weather I suppose, there were very few visitors, so I was able to get this shot that I had seen so many times, but never in person.

Since I took this photograph, I have yet to return to these mesmerising Wren buildings.

Gallery

Palace of Westminster

Palace of Palaces.

Friday August 5, 2011.

Many of the photographs of the Palace of Westminster, are taken from the south bank, usually from opposite the building, or from the eastern side of Westminster Bridge, from outside the old Greater London Council building. I was after a different angle.

So, as I began yet another wander around the Unfinished City, I took a stroll across Lambeth Bridge and glanced towards the Palace of Westminster. The sun which had burnt away many of the clouds, to reveal the blue sky, and illuminated this majestic building, perfectly. I just had to wait for the breeze to catch the Union Flag, before I could get the shot that I was after.

'Burghers of Calais' by Auguste Rodin

Freedom from Oppression.

Friday August 5, 2011.

The Unfinished City has an amazing amount of statues, memorials, sculptures and public art, both permanent and temporary, dotted around its streets and environs.

This sculpture stands in the Victoria Tower Gardens, on a spot picked by Auguste Rodin himself.

Imperial War Museum

From Bethlem to Bedlam.

Friday August 5, 2011.

The Imperial War Museum (London branch) is one of my favourite museums. I cannot count the number of times that I have visited, but it would be in the high twenties. It holds a world-leading collection of artefacts from the earliest conflicts and wars through to those from current theatres of operation. 

Following a multi-million pound restoration, which saw the majority of the building redeveloped, including the entrance atrium, space has been created to show more objects from the collection, while creating additional exhibition areas.

Gallery

Review: 'Fiddler on the Roof' by PHEOS Musical Players

My copy of the programme signed by Mr Stephen Brown.

Saturday June 25, 2011.

Em-J and Len arrived at about 18:30ish and we made our way to Rickmansworth. Em-J drove and we parked in the car park just off the High Street, outside The Coach & Horses, as it was free and particularly empty. We then took a short stroll down the High Street towards Watersmeet Theatre, where we were going to watch the PHEOS MUSICAL Players presentation of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' It turns out that Len had never been to the Theatre before, so this was to be a real treat for him. Once inside the theatre we bought a drink and made our way to our seats, which were front row to the right of the stage. Before the lights were extinguished, I looked around the theatre and spotted a few people I knew from the hospital. Pretty soon the theatre was full, the lights dimmed and the play began. (Now, I don't normally get goose bumps when watching stage shows, but seeing Steve Brown in his costume and beard (real) in the role of 'Tevye', a role that he had always dreamt of playing, I was filled with enormous pride for him.) Well, the next hour and forty minutes were enthralling! Steve played the character to a tee and his voice was perfect. The walk and demeanour that the Steve brought to the character were spot-on. Not once did it seem that Steve was imitating the greats. Somehow, he had managed to bring a little of himself to a very iconic role and truly made it his own. (Before you start thinking that I am just saying this to because Steve is my friend, you are WRONG. Steve knows me well enough, as do many others, that if I thought his performance was wanting, I would tell him.) Suffice it to say that that first act was one of the best I have ever seen on stage. 

Review: 'Company' by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth

My copy of the programme signed by Mr Stephen Brown.

Sunday 5th December, 2010.

My friend, Steve Brown, has recently been rehearsing with a group called 'Second Company' for a play called 'Company' by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, and I was going to see it with Emma and Len's Emma. 

Steve plays the role of Larry, a 50 something man, the third husband of Joanne, played by Joyce Lorinstein. This run is directed by Ray Rackham and, after sell out performances earlier in the year, has transferred to the 'Stage Space' at the 'Pleasance Theatre'. 

I have seen Steve Brown in 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'Judgement at Nuremberg', the latter of which was his directorial debut, and I have also seen him on TV for Channel 5's 'David Jason: The Show Must Go On!'

'Company' is a musical comedy, set in New York, that first premiered in 1970. The play is centred on the central character of Robert, a 35 year old single man, via his 3 girlfriends and his married or soon-to-be married friends. Robert has hit a point in his life where he cannot commit to a long-term relationship and looks to his friends for guidance. 

The 'Stage Space' is a small area with enough room to fit a maximum of 50 people, while the stage area itself is about twenty feet square. The use of the small stage space, was accomplished very well with the use of two clear plastic chairs and a leather bench. 

The cast, when not in the scene, sat at the sides until their turn in the play. It worked really well and at times I felt that I was actually in an apartment or on the bridge with the cast. It was an almost intimate feeling, as though they were playing just to me. 

I have to see say that I was really impressed with the show from the opening song, 'Company', to the last number, 'Being Alive'. The whole cast were superb with two stand-out performances from Robin Innes and Lowri-Ann Davies. Robin gave a sterling performance as Robert. While Lowri-Ann gave a truly remarkable performance as Amy. (Her very fast rendition of 'Getting Married Today' was incredible.) 

All-in-all it was well worth seeing and I can't wait until the next play that I go and see. Below is a link to a review of the show.

www.remotegoat.co.uk/review_view.php?uid=6342

Until next time, May it be well with you.