Do you remember the TV series Rumpole of the Bailey, based on the stories written by John Mortimer? Hopefully you do, or the next parts not going to make much sense. The courtroom hack brilliantly played by Leo McKearn loves nothing more after a hard day at the “Bailey” to head to his favourite Fleet… Continue reading A bottle of Château Thames Embankment
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Gone, but not forgotten
There is a headstone in a London cemetery which reads; “Darling Dolly My sunbeam My consolation My joy“ A touching memorial from a grieving husband for his deceased wife perhaps? However this monument sits nearby to other heartfelt memorials, “In loving memory of our faithful little friend WOBBLES” or “DICK for 12 years the faithful… Continue reading Gone, but not forgotten
A little part of Texas in St James
Should you be in the area of St James and looking for some fine wines, then you’d be likely to visit the shop of Berry Bros. & Rudd. Even if you’re no connaisseur its worth visiting the premises which opened in 1698 in St James’ Street just round the corner from their new shop in… Continue reading A little part of Texas in St James
A small glass of Old Tom
As you may know Gin or “mothers ruin” was the scourge of the working classes in late 17th century Britain, as depicted in the famous engraving by William Hogarth, Gin Lane. By the early part of the new century moves were afoot to stamp down on the availability of the demon drink but it wasn’t… Continue reading A small glass of Old Tom
BANG!
St Michael, Crooked Lane was an ancient parish church dating from 1304 situated on the west side of Fish Street Hill in the City of London. It was rebuilt after the Great Fire to a design by Sir Christopher Wren, and demolished in 1831 to provide better road access to the newly built London Bridge. .Crooked… Continue reading BANG!
Criminals, Vandals & Visigoths!
It’s a pity that Town Planners can’t be in some way held responsible for the decisions that they make. There are very few instances of architects or planners being held to account for shocking decisions. If in my fantasy world there was a supreme court for atrocious planning decisions, then the first defendants in the… Continue reading Criminals, Vandals & Visigoths!
Metroland Memories
Just a quick post this morning, brought on by listening to a CD (ask your parents) in my collection of poems by John Betjeman. This one has stuck in my head so I suppose it could be classed as an earworm. Here’s a link to hear the man himself recite it on YouTube Middlesex by John… Continue reading Metroland Memories
Milo The Cretonian
Apparently Milo was an ancient Greek wrestler and strongman sometimes depicted carrying a bull on his shoulders. His link with London is that his feats are celebrated on a rather strange adornment that graced the front of the Queens Hotel built in 1830. The hotel was situated on the corner of St Martin Le Grand… Continue reading Milo The Cretonian
Echoes
I have in my collection a picture entitled Elephant and Tram taken in 1936. It shows an elephant eating an apple from the tram driver. A bit of research shows that the picture was taken in the Grays Inn Road, making the tram a number 31 (I enjoyed looking that up). So an elephant in… Continue reading Echoes
Nice story, but….
Today in 1988 the grave of Boadicea / Boudica, the warrior queen of the Iceni tribe who fought the Romans in Britain was located by archaeologists (possibly). Following her victories in Anglesey and the sacking of the Roman Garrison at Colchester, she turned her attention to the fort and small collection of buildings that made… Continue reading Nice story, but….
A LONDON MISCELLANY 