For me there’s something kind of suburban or small-town about ice cream vans, so it’s nice to find one in the centre of one of the biggest cities in Europe. Good idea today though, it was very hot and humid in London, and indeed elsewhere today.
This is pretty much the centre of the archaic, monolithic and largely closed institution that is the British state. Horse Guards Parade is virtually next door to 10 Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace is just a few hundred yards away. On this gravel the Queen Troops the Colour (whatever the hell that means) to celebrate her own “official birthday”. Until 1997 it was used as a car park, unbelievably, and the beach volleyball was played here in the 2012 Olympics.
Down in London again, and this is just the first of a double visit this week. Four nights to be spent in the acre of hotels to the south of King’s Cross. A tiny hotel room, but a decent view, of tiny little Midhope Street, and the weather is glorious — you will see more of it tomorrow I’m sure.
This very pleasant square is where I am currently working when I am in London (well, on one of the buildings which border it, anyway). The statue is of Mahatma Gandhi and has been there since 1968. The other model was probably just passing through.
This isn’t the first photo of the atrium at King’s Cross to appear on here and I doubt it’ll be the last. As I said to my colleague yesterday, the rebuilding was done so well that it has become a place where I actually choose to spend time, happily arriving comfortably early for a train.
Another work trip to London — I have several of these coming up. No real opportunities for photography during the day, I’m afraid, but while waiting in the pub after work for my friend to turn up I started taking photos of the other customers. I’m not particularly satisfied with this shot but it’ll do, I guess. I like the guy’s look, though. Sort of like a 1970s revolutionary crossed with Carlos Santana.
Harry is the companion of my friend Claire with whom I lodged last night. She lives in the City of London itself (for non-initiates — the very centre, and certainly the financial centre, of this vast metropolis) and so her cat is a defiantly urban creature, as I hope this shot reflects.
There’s no deeper message, I just liked the image, helped by the random red flower in the background (poppy by proxy?). The memorial is the one in the grounds of St Mark’s Church, Kennington Oval, in London.
Second monochrome moment of the weekend…
Had a meeting down in London today — where it was still, very definitely, summer, despite the fallen leaves.
Being 42 