If the title of this piece brings back memories of double denim, chunky knits, a cheeky welsh grin and a frankly ludicrous dance then I appologise, it’s wasn’t my intention to spoil your day. As you’ll see as this unfolds I couldn’t really have come up with another title, and of course that conjures up… Continue reading What’s Behind The Green Door?
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The Wheel Turns Full Circle
The London Eye has dominated the skyline of Lambeth for over twenty years. This 135 metres (443 ft) tall wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft). When it opened to the public in 2000 it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel until it was surpassed by the 160-metre (525 ft) Star of Nanchang in 2006, and has subsequently been… Continue reading The Wheel Turns Full Circle
My Dog’s Got No Nose……*
When it comes to the smell of London history there is a great repository of facts which relate mostly to the awful odours that were prevalent in the city until recently modern times. Luckily for everyone who visits, these have been eliminated and London is quite a clean city. I for one never want to… Continue reading My Dog’s Got No Nose……*
The Dog’s Nose
So to continue the theme of senses; touch and hearing now under the belt I start to look at taste and smell. Despite the title of this piece, it’s actually to do with taste. Now I could have gone off down the same old hackneyed route of extolling the beauties and health benefits of pie,… Continue reading The Dog’s Nose
Sounds of the past
Following on from the post last week on touch, I’m going to try the sense of hearing. I thought this might be a tricky one, how do you hear the past? Well there’s oral audio history, memories of people who were in a certain place at a certain time. These are really valuable to historians… Continue reading Sounds of the past
Touch Wood
I set myself a task today. I thought I’d try and write about London with regard to the senses. Seeing is a bit of an obvious one, but there’s always, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting to explore. I’m going to start with the tactile. There are many old bits of London that you can run… Continue reading Touch Wood
The Beavers Of Oxford Street
Whenever I walk the streets of London I try to make the effort to look up once in a while. Sometimes you can be too focussed on what’s in front of you. Take a moment to look above the horizon and you might be surprised at what you find. Many interesting and bizarre ornaments and… Continue reading The Beavers Of Oxford Street
….one in a taxi, one in a car
Funny how things come back to you years and years after the event. The title comes from something we used to sing at school when it came to carol concerts at Christmas to the tune of “We three Kings“. Rather unseasonal I know given the abundance of Easter bunnies, but I thought it a better… Continue reading ….one in a taxi, one in a car
As Grave As The Grave
I’ve just finished reading John Bennett’s excellent book, Krayology, which examines the rise and fall of the notorious 1960s London Gangsters Ron and Reggie Kray. Well worth a read if that’s your sort of thing. So far I’ve limited my guided audio walking tours to the confines of the City walls and the environs on… Continue reading As Grave As The Grave
Brass in pocket
Possibly John Rivet was a 17th century example of nominative determinism, that is when your surname influences you to gravitate towards a chosen profession. It’s unclear if the young master Rivet ever wanted to be a Lumberjack, but he eventually became a metal worker. One thing is certain about him, he was a bit of… Continue reading Brass in pocket
A LONDON MISCELLANY 