'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.

Gallery

Empire Pool and Sports Arena (Wembley Arena)

Wembley Arena with the fountains in the Square of Fame.

Sunday December 29, 2019.

Wembley is one of those places that I only visit if I am going to see something at the Stadium. However, it has been many years since I have visited the Arena, to see a concert.

My first memory of seeing something at the Arena was back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when I was taken to see Holiday on Ice, by my nan.

Then, in September 1988, I saw Belinda Carlisle in concert. That December I went to my first Iron Maiden gig, there.

Since then I have seen Joe Cocker, Meat Loaf, Sheryl Crow, Iron Maiden (again) and more.

On this visit, to Wembley, it was purely to see the Christmas Lights Festival, so I took this photo, as I did not know when I would next return to the area.

James Braidwood

James Braidwood: Founder of the world's first municipal fire service.

I had seen this memorial on many an occasion, but could never quite work out the lettering, although the design obviously made reference to a fire. So, a little digging needed to be done.

The inscription reads;

To the memory of 

James Braidwood, 

superintendent of the 

London Fire Brigade, 

who was killed near this 

spot 

in the execution of his 

duty 

at the great fire 

on 22nd June 1861

A just man and one that feared God, of good report among all the nation.

Erected by the M. or Southwark Division of the Metropolitan Police

S. H. Gardiner, New Kent Road

'Ancient of Days' by William Balke

Urizen in William Blake's 'Ancient of Days'.

Sunday December 1, 2019

From Thursday November 28, 2019 (what would have been William Blake's 262nd birthday) to Sunday December 1, William Blake's 'Ancient of Days' painting, was projected onto the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.

It was a cold afternoon as I, my two girls and my mum made our way along the South Bank towards the Tate Modern, and a spot where we would be able to see this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Arriving at the Tate Modern, we headed up to the viewing platform, which offered a more unobstructed view than from the riverside, but was far colder. After taking a few photos of the skyline, in the still light afternoon, we decided to take some shelter inside the cafe area and warmed up.

Just before 16:15, as the winter sky darkened, the painting began to emerge against the backdrop of the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. The colours, becoming more prominent with each passing minute. With the wind picking up we headed down to the riverside, which, despite its openness, was less cold. Go figure.

A few more photos of the dome, the painting, the various boats and bridges were taken, before we headed back towards the South Bank Centre, in search of some hot food and a drink.

From Thursday November 28, 2019 (what would have been William Blake's 262nd birthday) to Sunday December 1, William Blake's 'Ancient of Days' painting, was projected onto the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. 

'Crocodile'

A crocodile in London.

Saturday November 16, 2019.

It was a typical walk around London with my friend, Gary, that resulted on me stumbling across this Crocodile, in Marylebone.

As with most of my walks there is little in the way of a route. Rather a meandering left here, right there, until it is time to head home.

As such I never know what I will see or discover. Such as this life-size crocodile, clambering up a waterfall from the basement of the Lacoste boutique on Duke Street.

Definitely no swimming!

To find out why Jean René Lacoste used a 'crocodile' as his logo, we have to go back to 1923.

London Ghost Bus Tours

Emma, Erin and Keilyn waiting to board the Necrobus.

Thursday October 31, 2019.

My wife, myself and our two daughters, who are 6 & 7, managed to grab some tickets for the 19:30 tour, on Halloween 2019, and were not disappointed. 

Our pick-up was on time and all of the staff on the street and on the Necrobus were warm, friendly and helpful. 

Being one of the first groups on the Necrobus, we were able to pick some of the best seats, which were upstairs. They were remarkably comfortable, with curtains and lamps in the windows, making it feel warm and inviting, which helped people relax. 

This sense of ease, to which we succumbed, caught us off guard as various ghostly goings on plagued our trip.

The seats, curtains and lamps on the upstairs of the Necrobus.

Our conductor, Marcus, was very knowledgeable and obviously enjoyed his role. His stories were accurate and, equally, ghastly and entertaining. I think he managed to point out every murder site, haunted place and execution spot on the route, along with names and dates. 

Mr. Hinge, the Health and Safety officer, took his job seriously, too, ensuring that there was full disclosure about 'events' that had happened on the Necrobus, in the past. Although, it did take him a while to get all of the facts out of our conductor.

A lamp that flickered, normally when a spirit was present.

We travelled around Whitehall, Westminster, the City of London, through Holborn, crossed the River Thames, visited Southwark and more, before heading back to our drop-off point. 

So much more went on, but I would hate to spoil it for anyone that hasn't taken the trip. Suffice to say that we will be taking this tour again.

A bit of trivia, about our Necrobus:

• It had run on a designated route, in London, until 2005
• It's designation was RML2528, with the registration plate of JJD528D
• It was purchased by The Ghost Bus Tours in 2013
• It is painted in a midnight black livery

Ghost Bus Tours London

As a side note, they also operate Ghost Bus Tours in York and Edinburgh.

The Necrobus.