The Grand Staircase

Another peek inside the Foreign Office. In my post the other day I promised more glimpses of this impressive building from my Open House visit.

Leggo Glasshouse

Pretty cool don't you think? A leggo glasshouse. During design week we get to see some pretty amazing ideas around the streets of London. Look for this one in Covent Garden.

Open House - Foreign Office

My visit to the Foreign and Commonweatlh Offices during Open House weekend so impressed me that I will bring you several photos in the next week or two. Refurbished in the 1970's it is really very grand.
This hall known as the Durbar Court originally had no ceiling. Granite floors and coloumns, marble statues, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in another country.
The first reception held in this magnificent court was in 1867 for the Sultan of Turkey.

Action Men

BMX champs Gareth Wilson, Pete Sawyer and Josh Cox gave a few tips to the local lads then showed us how it's really done. 360 flips, frontwards, backwards all pretty impressive. This is just a wee warm up to their next big event next week at NEC Birmingham. If you up that way go see them.

The National Purse Strings

The gates to the entrance to the Treasury from King Charles St. Possibly overlooked as the main entrance, that is very grand is on Horse Guards St. Treasury has only been housed in the building behind these gates since 2002. The new offices were officially opened by Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board.

The Butcher

Over the next couple of weeks I will bring you images from the 'Open House' weekend. Every September we get the opportunity to take a peek into places not usually open to the public. Some very grand others private property.
The butcher shop, now privately owned, is a wonderful Grade II listed Edwardian building. Love those art nouveau tiles and original fittings.

Cottage

A glimpse into a cottage garden in the suburbs.

Click

Clever marketing? Well I did go to the website to see what these giant hands were doing in Covent Garden. Nikon is the answer.

Tour of Britian

The final leg of the Tour of Britain took place on the streets of central London last Sunday. I must confess I knew nothing about it until I was trying to get to another 'Open House' visit and found the circuit had blocked my route. I got caught up in the excitement of it all. Some of the very young riders have a future of fame ahead of them. One young boy, must have been all of 8 was giving his father a run for his money. Racing ahead each time the circuit passed the compere's tent. Having now looked up information about this event I discover that it is a major event for elite athletes (as well as rising stars) that takes place over eight days.
It's worth reading about it on the web site here.

Romance

A little romance to start your week.

Taking the Birds Out

Some people take their dogs for a walk, some even their cats, this gentleman takes his parrots for a stroll around the block.

Road to 2012: Changing Pace

I'm sharing with you a special behind-the-scenes tour of the BT/National Portrait Gallery's 'Road to 2012:Changing Pace exhibition'. This work is year two of a three year project to capture a unique record of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and all those who made it happen.
Anne Braybon, Commissions manager of the portrait gallery shared with us how the two photographers, Emma Hardy and Finlay MacKay created this body of work. The difficulties, the cold days, even the day she had to take Chris Holme's guide dog for a walk to prevent him jumping in the pool during the photo shoot. I found it very inspirational to share in the behind-the-scenes process of producing work of this standard.
Hardy's intimate depictions of the men and women involved in the preparations for staging the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games show them in locations and pursuits where they might reflect or find inspiration. MacKay's complex scenarios capture world-class UK athletes where they train, alongside the people who are supporting their Olympic or Paralympic ambition.

Also there this evening were some of the story tellers. This is a group of artists, writers, poets, photographers who have been commissioned by BT to tell their stories as they relate to the games. You can also contribute. Road 2012 wants you to share your stories about what or who inspires you on the journey to the Olympics and Paralympics Games by uploading your photos to their flickr site here.

If you are in London or coming to London you must see this exhibition, I'm picking a winner in the national portraits award out of this work. It is simply superb.

Gentlemen's Afternoon Tea

I was invited to sample gentlemen's afternoon tea at the very classy Neo Bar. It's a hard job but someone has to do it.
Belvedere Vodka and mixologist Andy Pearson have created very imaginative cocktails. I sampled the healthy version, truly this creation being made is called brainbox as it covers your 5 vege a day with salmon oils, egg whites, green tea and of course Belvedere Vodka. I can hear you saying similar things to me, but I'll bet like me you will be pleasantly surprised at how delicious it really is. To accompany your cocktail chef Joel Edmond has created a number of miniature food treats. All classics you will know, Italian pizza, croquemonsieur, fish cakes to name just a few.
Continuing on the healthy theme I finished with a cup of tea. Of course it was not ordinary tea, this was a peppermint tea martini.

Cinderella

I bet she's upset to have lost such a pretty shoe.

Wanting to be the Sky

An art installation in neon on the right offset by a rainbow on the left.

Eat my Hat

A tourist approached me on the weekend and asked why everyone was wearing silly hats. I encouraged him to join in the fun of the weekend. Why else would you be in London? Sustainable fishing and farming was promoted on Southwark Bridge on Saturday. Best fish and chips I've had since I've lived in London. Finished off with a leaf or two from this girl's hat.

London Hat

The fabulous weekend of the Thames festival ends with a spectacular parade, followed by fireworks. Magnificent costumes, lights and performers. Summer ends with a bang here.

Preparing the final touches to an enormous hat carrying the city of London on top.

Dancers

The Thames festival is on all weekend. A big party to mark the end of summer. Here everyone is doing karaoke dancing. An animated dancer shows you all the moves, while a compare encourages you to give it your all.

I'm off to enjoy another full day of fun.

Keats in the Garden

A tribute to John Keats in the garden of Guy's Hospital, Southwark. Keats trained as a surgeon-apothecary here 1815-16.

Working Bee

All hands on deck for preparing the new garden site as part of the Global Generation project. Young people are mentored and given opportunities to create a sustainable future. The garden projects teach them how to grow herbs and vegetables, how to create delicious food from what has been grown and how to compost waste. The current skip and hoop gardens will shortly move to a new site as part of the regeneration around Kings Cross.

Punch House

V.O.C. (or Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie ) is a modern day interpretation of a Punch House inspired by the Dutch East India Company.
They use 17th century recipes (but modern technology) to make unusual but wonderful cocktails.
I enjoyed my 'Dogs Nose' with horseradish, citrus and spices.

East London

A street corner in the borough of Hackney.

New Season

Rain, wind and brown leaves. How can that all happen overnight?

Sky Ride

Yesterday was the annual sky ride in London. Each year throughout Britain streets are given over to cyclists. The aim is to get more people on bikes, one million more by 2013 is the current ambition. Hardy cyclists braved heavy rain determined to enjoy themselves despite the weather. Makes me think that extra million is rather conservative.

English Pub

An English pub is more than somewhere to just have a beer. For many people it is an extension of their home. To own a small pub of one's own is a dream for some and many pubs were once part of a handful of places owned by small breweries. Sadly, over time the small establishments have been taken over by the large chains, complete with their gambling machines and garish neon lights.

But enter through the doors of the Princess Louise and you will quickly learn how special these little establishments can be. This one is part of a group established in 1758. Chris and Scott told me how Samuel Smith Brewery make their own beer from the original well in Yorkshire. They assured me that it is easy to recognise a Samuel Smith pub because they are all as beautiful as this one. Cheers to that I say.

Nelson's Tomb

Killed in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Nelson's body made the journey home in a barrel of brandy. His coffin was made from the timber of a French ship he defeated in that battle. His tomb within the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral is somewhat flasher than the original.

Rehearsing at the Scoop

Next to City Hall is the Scoop. A modern day open air amphitheatre. It plays host all year round to a wonderful array of activities and events, most of them free to the public. In September and October it will be the site of outdoor cinema in the evening (yes "bring you own blankets and wrap up warm" guidance has been issued). The play "The Mother" is what's on now and these two are in rehearsals for it. The play is a new translation of Brecht's classic play by Mark Ravenhill, one of the UK's most celebrated and controversial playwrights, and looks set to cause waves of its own as this year's street protests dictate the political agenda at home and abroad.

September Theme Day - Perspective

The first of the month, so theme day within the CityDailyPhoto community. This month is perspective.
Frank urged on by his trainer doing one armed press-ups appears stronger and larger than those trees with outstretched arms.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants