Protected View Series

On a burial mound deep in Richmond Park, is King Henry's Mound. It has a protected view all the way across one of the most sprawling and constantly developing cities in the world. I know you cant really see it in the pictures (*!) but trust me, that fuzzy grey area is St Paul's Cathedral.

Richmond Park Guided Walk 2

We were up early for our guided walk around Richmond Park, but we had a chance to catch an egg and coffee and hash browns at the River Cafe opposite Putney Bridge Station.

There were about 60 of us in all, the average age probably about the same number but there was a polite friendliness going around. The talks concerned park management, soil nutrition, rhodadendrons and herons.

We saw wild deer, heard great spotted woodpeckers and saw pipe smoking tweed cap wearing naturists.

The weather was changable, with looming clouds making way around the blue sky. Although it was cold it soon became obvious that beer oclock was looming.

And we saw a live wild rabbit, munching on the park like it was one big salad bar.

The Seven Sisters Road

The streets of North London were just starting to fill again after the football.

The local team had just won due to a penalty shoot out and the sound of car horns rang into the night.

The neon signs of take away food joints projected the promise of shadowy nourishment.

I walked with my camera down the Seven Sisters Road.

photos of the day

A walk in the park

We gathered at the Hampstead Heath Museum for a guided walk called "reading the landscape". It was taken by the author David McDowell who has written walking books including the Heath and Richmond Park.

In a very geological minded walk we discovered that 60 million years ago this part of the world was under the ocean, which is why so much sand sits next to the London Clay, and that pebbles washed up were from a giant river that flowed from Devonshire 40 million years ago.



Interspersed were some interesting stories about how the landscape was cut away from the heath to make bricks (1860 circa) or how the viaduct was to be the start of a handsome avenue but the good members of the public who wanted to keep the heath as it was stopped this by some canny land purchases which prevented drainage. All quite dry yet interesting information. We found parts of the Heath we had never seen, but as we should, stopped into a pub at the end!(NB This is an awesome pub but you have to book for sunday roasts! (imagine!) we got a seat but watched many people leave dissapointed.

A Monday walk into work

A beautiful Monday morning this morning. Springtime in London hits hard! Took my time coming in and took a few snaps for your perusal!








I liked how the over exposed sky turned out? seems like a polaroid half way thru developing or something?

By Kings Mall in Hammersmith every Thursday there is a market. Looks like these guys have got here a little early, this man was setting up some leather belts.

And here though they look delicious, it was a bit early for me to be eating olives.

plynth out city

I know I have been useless about the morning photo a day. but they havent been very good.
heres my one from today.

And yesterday


But that is not the best thing about this post. No. I have saved that until last!
As you all know Anthony Gormly had the brainwave of making people art, but its not until today that you can enter! so please, enter now and become the fourth plynth in Trafelgar Sq.!

Getting to work in the Springtime

Thats right! I said spring time, when these little beauties arrive I think its the very begining of the herald of spring. Which made me think that I will try and take a photo everyday of my way to work. I am meant to be biking tomorrow so it will be of different london locations. it might be too borring to make it to the site, or I may have to start another blog for it, but at the moment, just this one for now!
Above is Pimlico and below is ravenscourt park.

Raclette!

Know it sounds funny
But I just cant stand the pain
Girl Im leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl
You know Ive done all I can
You see I begged, stole
And I borrowed
Ooh, thats why Im Cheesy

Cheesy like sunday moooooorrrrrrrrrrning

Delicious Drop of Goodness

Had a nice weekend, all in all and especially enjoyed watching a bit of tv with L. sharing a bottle of "The Crossings"

We watched masterchef, being human (spoilers!) and the dark knight.

a click and this smile is yours

Well, a collector of smiles.

I trawl this web of ours like a relentless fishing vessel, bringing up the choicest cuts of information for you, and lay them out on my hastily made sales counter. Here are my wares now, just a click away.
Do not think about SFW (of course it is) or how much energy is required of the universe to transport you from this site to that. Just apply weight to your pointing finger. There are no muscles in your fingers. A simple tensing of the tendon will push you towards a smile and a feeling of happiness within your own belly. No matter how big or flabby, or hairy, or toned that belly is. No matter if you don't have the cash for food, this will fill you with a priceless meal of some not insignificant worth. This link below is one that will take you to something that will make you think- i wish i came up with that! I wish I was more creative! Wait, I could still do this!

CLICK ME

the blurring of the line between criminal and creative photography

Personally I don’t mind too much.
Western society does need to be aware of the possibility of bombs in public places. So if the police take down your name and details for taking photos then I think it’s a small price to pay to ensure that they have records of who did what. But if it comes to more than that, if they are intending to hold people with nothing stronger than suspicion, then I do have a problem. Especially as the gvt can hold you with out charging you.
So for this part of the civil rights issue that I defend and publicize and may attend this flash (heh) mob protest. The plan is to turn up to New Scotland Yard this coming Monday 11am and take photos the day this ambiguous law is passed. The law basically says

you are within your rights to take a photograph anywhere that is public property. Unless a policeman says you are not allowed, and then you are not.

On the same issue, Conservative MP Dr Rachael Joyce is on my side in this, but misses the point somewhat. She is annoyed that under the same law, PCSO’s have stopped her and a friend while taking photos outside Harrow Bus Station. She says

we were clearly not terrorists

as if there is a standard template of people who constitute terrorists. She seems to be saying that the police are wasting their time taking down the name of these particular individuals based on their physical- which must also incorporate their genetic- attributes.

Bob Marleys Birthday

Its Bob Marleys birthday . 64 you know. And its not that old. I will be 64 in 2039 which I personally find intimidating, motivating and inevitable. OF course I am so rock n roll I may not last the night!

So here is one of my favorite songs that I think rings true in this day of uncertainess and living with the wages of greed. I am going home to blast a bit of Bob Marley before I go out. All this “doobie doobie do” is motivating as well. Ride Natty Ride. *(my hair is free from nattyness, lets be clear)

'Cause now the fire is out of control,
Panic in the city, wicked weeping for their gold!
Everywhere this fire is burning,
Destroying and melting their gold,
Destroying and wasting their souls.

Go ride, Natty, ride!
Go deh, Dready! Go deh!

Tell you what: now the people gather on the beach
And the leader try to make a speech,
But the Dreadies understanding that it's too late:
Fire is burning;
Man, pull your own weight!
Fire is burning;
Man, pull your own weight!

Slim Jim's Liquor Store

Went to this lovely bar on upper street last week. "Slim Jims Liquor Store" good music, good atmosphere, I dont think there was a place for loads of people so it was more of a place for 1 or 2 at a time! worth it though if you are around upper street soon.

I really just wanted to post these photos hahaha

indulgent youtube nostalgia for Waitangi day

So its Waitangi Day, and although it has finished in NZ I thought I would include a whole bunch of NZ utube goodness.


this is my family btw






British people look out for Phillip Scofield in his NZ personality.


This is awful. Only for NZers 30+ high on nostalgia

My Furry Friends.

1 in Five people in Britain took yesterday off due to adverse weather. You are reading the blog on one of those one in fivers.
The snow is melting away, which if you are a Londoner you will know that means pain. Tubes cant handle being wet either. The fall is worse on ice, than it is on snow.



This is a picture of the park down the road from work. nice isnt it? I spent an hour in the snow taking snaps this morning and the sun rose. it was nice!
I made two friends. One is a robin.


and the other is a squirel

the egg layers and the spawned

You guys know what a Tuatara is right? These awesome little fellas are making news all over NZ at the moment.
Apparently one that is 111 years old just had babys!. And its not just going on in the zoo's but eggs have been found in the wild, for the first time in 70 years!


This rather clumisly brings me to another piece of news that caught my eye this morning, that the FDA is lifting its ban on stem cell research applied to humans. The embryonic stem cell can adapt to change into any kind of cell in the human body, which is an amazing thing when you think about it. Geron (an american company) has had its plans to test on patients with injured spinal cords due to injury. Its worked on the rats! But previously where the Bush administration has condemned the practice, the FDA has stood firm, now there is a more liberal administration the FDA has allowed what may turn out to be another historic milestone in American history. The FDA have denied that this white house shift has anything to do with anything, but well, its a coincidence and a half!

Conversely, you can isolate your own amniotic cells at home with any placenta you may have hanging around. This way you can beat any monopoly Geron may have in the future.

Crush and Lovely- 50 people one question

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush & Lovely on Vimeo.

Just found this. Its very nicely shot and quite inspirational. By crush and lovely apprently there is going to be a london one coming up soon, so check them out at a later date. You know these are one of those ideas you just want to steal for yourself!

Cross Continent Biking fun, the breakfast club and a restaurant in the trees

Thanks to L. for this heads up but PoPW has just heard about a new and exciting development appearing on the back of the Olympics. No I am as scared as the next person at how cringeworthy the “we will rock you” dancers trading off with “the Saturdays” version of “God Save the Queen”- and I am annoyed at each weekend disruption being essential engineering works due to a last ditch attempt at stop gapping problems on tube lines … but I am pleased as punch at the idea of a cycle route between Paris and London!


It seems almost the entire 211 mile journey will miss out roads entirely from St Paul’s Cathedral to Notre Dame, utilising disused rail lines. How fantastic is that!

A Church in West Sussex is claiming the representation of a dying Christ is scarring children. Imagine. Its like the church censoring itself. Maybe they should have chosen a less sinister emblem then, like some broken loaves, or Christ with fish hooks in peoples mouths, or a net of people slung on his back as the fisher of men... But seriously there is something to think about with the changing face of the church in todays society




Hmmm, I don’t really get it other than it looks amazing, is a tree house restaurant and they found the builders from the yellow pages? Hmmm, that’s it isn’t it. But hey, nothing like a bit of hype and what a great idea to get funding from the yellow pages, that you would use any way. Other than just asking your mates I suppose. Its a fun website though, click through that link to see treehouse getting made, then go outside and make one.

Ok, so it’s the weekend coming up. And I have already given you a list of free things!
But heres a couple more. Tonight the National Portrait Gallery scratches your Bulgarian Folk Music itch…

Music from the court of the Holy Roman Emperor - Maximilian I - and new pieces based on traditional English and Bulgarian folk music. Supported by the Arts Council's Escalator Scheme

And Epping Forrest Lakes are Frozen! So head down and walk around this winter wonderland. Singing loudly "theres only onnnnnnnne Denis Bergkamp"

(Cough)

But heres a story from last year that I have only just discovered, but a fantastic one so worth reliving. Apparently for fun some guy (Darren Hoyt) goes and checks out his pool filters for fun. Even brings along his girlfriend. After three days of rain he takes her down the back to check out whats down there. And as he puts it

a turtle, exhausted and barely able to stay afloat any longer, supporting a frog on its back while a spider clung to the frog’s head to avoid drowning.

This inspired a tattoo amongst other things (see his update).



Excellent use of resources. I thought the frog might turn into that fox and eat the spider, but no- they all just- apparently reluctantly went off on their separate missions. Reminds me of the end of Breakfast Club.

Londons Not as Expensive as they tell you!

In face of the cold and gloomy front that full my mornings in the form of news reports and papers I feel fantastic about this year. And to celebrate the fact that we are all alive and even if we want to tighten our belts a little we can still enjoy ourselves I am bringing yet another list to you.

This time of things to do that wont require you to bring out the hammer to the piggy bank.

For those of you not in London, (or who commute daily!) I will try and do all that’s on the list and bring you back my findings! I do this for you.

Danny Wallace creates a podcast and signs copies of the Yes Man at the Apple Store tomorrow night. Should be ok, hes pretty funny!

The Natural History Museum is holding Londons first Ice Sculpting Festival this weekend. You can even learn how to do it in Free Masterclasses. If once there you are wanting to spend money, there is an ice rink, a Darwin Exhibition and the Wildlife Photographers exhibition on show next to the amazing, outstanding and free permanent exhibits. Don’t forget the lichen exhibit, its just as important as the dinosaurs.

Light Graffiti
Here are a bunch of flickrites who are going to meet up on the 17th of Jan to take night photos of light. This looks fun.


Shameless Photoclub Plug although in exactly the same place but in two weeks after and at the completely unsociable hour of morning time, the first actual meeting of photoclub, Borough Market 31st Jan 09:00.

£5 Films at Vue Cinemas.
You have to order before 16:00 on the chosen day of viewing, so it really is for those last minute choices, and with Che part one on and My Bloody Valentines 3D coming up, it’s a good offer. Actually Its one of my new year resolutions is to see more film. And with this year being the year of 3D, I couldn’t be more excited. 3d film in Real D and sky TV going 3D 2009 it might be worth sending two and a half grand to japan to get the sort of telly you need, to project the polarized view. I am into it I think, but will just go to the pub to watch the 3d games!


Of Course 5 pound films are not as good as free film.


Free photographic portrait exhibition at the NPG

Ok that should do you for a fortnight of getting out and about for less than a tenner. I think the much have purchase is a hip flask so you can get rid of all that left over whisky for a winter warmer.