Usually a phrase you associate with the story of Dick Whittington, but in this case it has nothing to do with hearing the sound of bells ringing, it’s all about treachery and betrayal. The Downing referred to is Sir George Downing. He was the son of Emmanuel Downing, a barrister of the Inner Temple and devout Puritan missionary.… Continue reading Turn again Downing
Tag: History
Star Gazing
I was reading an article recently about the Gran Telescopio Canarias, and it’s observatory based in the Canary Islands, which is currently the world’s largest single-aperture optical telescope. I must admit to knowing very little about telescopes and their workings, but I do know that this one is a light refracting telescope. I also know that… Continue reading Star Gazing
Not a Scooby (Update)
A few weeks ago I posted about a piece of masonry that I’d found on the Thames foreshaw. Certainly it was from a high status medieval building, that’s what was going on in my head. Well today I got an email back from the archaeological team at the Museum of London and guess what…..? “I’m… Continue reading Not a Scooby (Update)
Never seen it
I look incredulously at people who have told me, “No I’ve never seen Star Wars” (substitute Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones etc). However if the boot should be on the other foot, how many people would have the same reaction when I say, “No I’ve never seen Friends“? I know the… Continue reading Never seen it
When the Landlord comes to call
I wouldn’t call myself an ardent fan of jazz music, but on the odd occasion I like to put on some John Coltrane or Thelonious Monk in the background whilst writing. However, I have always wanted to spend an evening at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in Soho, I just haven’t got round to it yet. So… Continue reading When the Landlord comes to call
Heritage
One Word Sunday There has been a pub at this location since 1538, which burnt down during the Great Fire in 1666. It was one of the first to be rebuilt after the fire in 1667 and the sign shows all the monarchs that have reigned during that time that the pub has been dispensing… Continue reading Heritage
Off with his head!
A phrase usually attributed the Queen Elizabeth I, but whether she actually said it is anyone’s guess. As far as public beheadings in the capital were concerned the site used was Tower Hill on the north side of the Tower of London. The two earliest record I could find were for a couple of executions… Continue reading Off with his head!
Not a Scooby
Last week I went for a wander along the Thames Path from Westferry DLR station to Tower Bridge. This took me through the areas of Limehouse, Shadwell and Wapping. When I got to Shadwell I squeezed myself through the small alleyway known as Pelican Stairs which leads down to the foreshaw to take a few… Continue reading Not a Scooby
ACTION
One Word Sunday Statue of the rather Buddha like Alfred Hitchcock in what was the Gainsborough film studios in Islington, north London. It was converted into flats in the early 2000s and Hitch sits inside the courtyard.
One day when I grow up
Six Word Saturday
A LONDON MISCELLANY 