Chilly Morning

We've been warned that an artic blast is on its way.  So far just a weeny sleet shower.

A Chilly Evening

Brrrr, do you feel that cold breeze.  Maybe I'm imagining it but it seems to feel much colder at high tide.
The Thames is a tidal river, that rises and falls around 7 metres.  The incoming tide comes in at nearly twice the speed of the outgoing tide which takes between 6 and 9 hours.  A bit of trivia that has nothing to do with me feeling cold, but it might help you win a pub quiz contest.

Baubles in the city

The stylish Xmas trees in Paternoster Square behind St Paul's cathedral.  When did the tradition of decorating a tree at Xmas time begin?  It was Prince Albert after all.  To learn all about the history of Christmas pop over to the wonderful Christmas post by Mike from A Bit About Britain.

The Stone Tree

Yep it really is a tree growing stones.  

The Station

Fenchurch St Station in the city of London was built in 1841 and since 1972 is Grade II heritage listed.  One of the smaller stations trains services from here travel to South Essex all the way to the sea.

Quiet time in the city

Monday to Friday thousands pour into the city to work, during the weekend you can almost hear a pin drop it is so quiet.  A good time to see what has changed since my last wander around.  Look what I found - a rock tree nestled in amongst the surrounding towers.

A Pearly King

A Pearly King in his refinery.

It was a grand day

Cherry good-byes at the end of the Pearly Kings and Queens harvest festival.

Cityscape

A view of the Shard and Southwark bridge from the city side of the river.

The Pearly Festivities

Proof that the seasons have changed.  The Pearly Kings and Queens celebrated the harvest festival yesterday.  The 140 year tradition included morris dancers, maypole dancing, music and bands.

They then all trotted of to St Mary Le Bow church for a thanksgiving service, a bit of catching up with old friends and then departed in charming old vehicles.

Art in the City

Title "Saints and Sailors"  by artist by Benedetto Pietromarch.  The work was inspired by a journey on a cargo ship carrying wood pulp from Uruguary to the Netherlands,

Award Winning Garden

Determined to make the most out of open house weekend, I was up early on Sunday morning (having missed out on Saturday) to make sure I got to see the award winning garden on the roof of 201 Bishopsgate.

 I'm still trying to fathom if this was some kind of joke.  "It's a wild garden" the security man informed me.  "No it's a bunch of dead weeds" I replied.  Although a grey foggy morning the view wasn't bad, so at least that gave us something to look at.

The River

A view of the Thames from Waterloo Bridge.

Art in the City

A stack of cubes by artist Jurgen Partenheimer, one of the art in the city art installations that surprise in the otherwise conservative square mile.

Wedding Season

It's the tourist season for couples to come to London for their weddings.  The most popular background for their photos is Tower Bridge. However this couple have chosen the 14th century Leadenhall Market in the City of London, now more famous for representing "the leaky cauldron" and "Daigon Alley" in the film Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone.

City View

Framing the city.

Evening Sky

Early evening and a glance over the Thames towards the City of London.

Signed by the Baird

A special glimpse for you today.   This piece of paper is the deed of a house sale dated 10 March 1613, purchased by William Shakespeare from Henry Walker (a musician).  Situated in the city of London near Blackfriars he paid the grand sum of £140.  Sadly it was lost in the Great Fire in 1666.

The deed is on display at the Guildhall, as part of the 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare's death.  Unfortunately today is the last day of the exhibition (I only discovered it myself yesterday).  What makes it extra special is that it is only one of six authenticated examples of his signature

The City

A view of the City from across the river.

Black Clouds

Yes I did get caught in the icy shower of few moments later.