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communing with the dead

Posted in Historical, It's my life, things to do in London, tagged Highgate Cemetery, victorian cemetery in london, victorian london on November 28, 2010| 3 Comments »

one of the things I have found most fascinating since moving to the UK 9 years ago are the cemeteries! Not just any cemetery mind….but ancient churchyard cemeteries and gothic cemeteries. They are evocative, secretive, and fascinating in the extreme, offering a glimpse into lives long over, by a multitude of causes from disease to fire with in some instances whole families wiped out by one cataclysmic event, those of children the most heart-rending.

: Fanny Elizabeth Stokes – died 22 February 1873 aged 7 years

Ireland is one of the best countries for visiting really ancient cemeteries and graveyards, one of which of course would be Glendalough (see the link below)…..absolutely fascinating.

I have visited hundreds of churchyards since living in the UK and find the smaller graveyards in old churches to be of great interest. So much about a village can be told by the stories written on the memorials and gravestones. Nearer to home (currently) and on a much larger scale is the Highgate Cemetery….in Highgate of course 🙂 north London. Often on my way to the village I walk along the perimeter of the cemetery and spend time peering through the railings at the gravestones reading their stories. I also take loads of photos; of course! 🙂

entrance to the west side of Highgate Cemetery - the older section

Highgate Cemetery is a Victorian Gothic cemetery first used in 1860 to inter a young lass; Mary Ann Webster, a baker’s daughter.

Highgate Cemetery, originally known as the Cemetery of St James at Highgate, is one of a series of large, formally landscaped burial grounds established around London during the early part of Queen Victoria’s reign, and offers a fascinating glimpse into Gothic London.
Victorian society had been outraged by the scandalous practices and overcrowding in existing burial grounds and the consequential insanitary conditions which this engendered. Parliamentary action enable private companies to create a ring of burial grounds around London which could reflect the eclecticism of Victorian taste; secure, elegant, ordered and imposing!

orderly rows of the dead

Highgate Cemetery is the most prestigious and dramatic evocation of these features.
Situated in the north of London N6, the first interment was on June 12th 1860 – 16 year-old Mary Ann Webster, a baker’s daughter was buried. The Cemetery, still a working burial ground has been run by the FOHC Friends of Highgate Cemetery, a non-profit organisation, since 1981.
Amongst the many tombs and graves that fill the cemetery to the brim, in excess of 50,000, are the world-famous Egyptian Avenue, catacombs, and a great number of ostentatious memorials heavily decorated, some featuring eye-catching inscriptions as well as poems.

169,000 people buried in 52,500+ graves

Highgate Cemetery is one of England’s finest Victorian cemeteries and is listed as a site of ‘Outstanding Architectural and Historial Importance’, a Grade I listed park. There are some 169,000 people buried in more than 52,500 graves in the east and west sides of the cemetery.
The formal borders and shrubberies planted by designers of Highgate Cemetery in the 19th century have largely gone and in their place, gentle decay, resulting in a ‘romantic confusion of plants, memorials and crumbling buildings.’

sunken graves and lop-sided stones

By the 1970’s the invasive sycamore created havoc as branches and roots damaged memorials and buildings. The cemetery offers a diveristy of wildlife and the introduction of native trees such as oak, willow, birch and hawthorn have greatly increased the diversity of insect life and provided a wider basis to food chains for wild life, with a developing woodland canopy with it’s undertow of shrubs, herbs and grasses, neadow areas and pathways where flowering plants such as greater burnet, knapweed, ragged robin, lords and ladies, ox-eye daises and many others grow, as well as ferns and and mosses.

this is one of my favourite pic - check how the vine has wrapped itself round the headstone, now almost one with the tree

A walk round the cemetery offers a remarkable insight into Victorian London and many famous persons are buried here; namely:
Douglas Noel Adams 1952-2001 – author of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
George Eliot 1819-1880 – English novelist and author of Silas Marner & Middlemarch etc.
Michael Faraday 1781-1867 – one of the greatest scientists of the 19th Century.
William Alfred Foyle 1885-1963 – Bookseller – founded the world-famous Charing Cross Road
William Edward Friese-Greene 1855-1921 – claimed inventor of cinematography.

memorial to William Friese-Greene 1855-1921

John Lobb 1829-1895 – maker of bespoke boots & shoes; shoe-maker to Royalty
Anna Mahler 1904-1988 – award-winning sculptor born in Vienna, daughter of composer Gustav Mahler
Karl Heinrich Marx 1818-1883 – the world’s most influencial political philosopher.
Richard ‘Stoney’ Hovis 1836-1900 Baker who in 1886 launched Hovis, the 21st mass-produced brown (wheatgerm) bread.

And many many more.

Visiting the cemetery: http://www.highgatecemetery.org.uk/

Glendalogh – glen of two lakes

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The Lord Mayors Show 13 November 2010

Posted in Fun Stuff, Historical, interesting things that happen in London, It's my life, things to do in London, tagged The Lord Mayors Show London 2010 on November 15, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Wow!! what a fantastic show. I had the best day ever on Saturday, was totally impressed and can tell you one thing for sure….no other country can do Pomp and Ceremony like the Brits!!! F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.

Pomp and Ceremony

The day started out grey and grim and I sent a tweet to my twitterverse to please wish for sunshine….we almost made it. By the time I left home I could see patches of blue sky…and the rain held off for the day!! Bloody marvellous.
I was so excited by the time I headed off for the bus…I have been in the UK for 9 years now and this is the first opportunity I have had to attend the Lord Mayor’s Show; a nearly 800 year-old tradition in The City of London. An annual event of 3 miles of fun, music and pageantry to welcome in the new Lord Mayor.
The lastest mayor being one Alderman Michael Bear, 683rd person to be elected to office, and latest in a long line of Lord Mayors that stretches back through centuries since 1189 when Henry Fitz-Ailwyn first held office.

cariciature of The Lord Mayor 1881

An illustrious position once held by Whittington, Lord Mayor of London thrice in his lifetime, the first in 1398.
“Turn again, Whittington,
Once Lord Mayor of London!
Turn again, Whittington,
Twice Lord Mayor of London!
Turn again, Whittington,
Thrice Lord Mayor of London!

The Lord Mayor’s Show dates to 1215 when King John allowed the City to elect it’s own mayor. The processional route takes you through thousands of years of history; a rich tapestry of events, places and streets of London over the centuries.

the processional route

Starting at the Guildhall

The Guildhall (1411-1440 15th Century Gothic)

and accompanied by the Mayor’s personal bodyguard,

Pikemen and Musketeers

Pikemen and Musketeer The Lord Mayors bodyguard by Royal Warrant

the coach winds it was through the streets of London, preceded by floats, the Pageantmaster,

The Pageantmaster - responsible for organising the event

Livery Companies, organisations, Merchantmen, buses, businesses, flambouyant carnival style costumes, marching bands, horse-guards charities, Freemasons, members of the Territorial Army, Cadets and a long line of wonderful coaches bearing the Aldermen of the City of London, 145 in all as well as zulu warriors and dancers

Zulu warrior

– supported by Standard Bank and reminescent of the Lord Mayor’s roots.. More than 6,500 people take part in the show and hundreds of thousands of spectators from far and near line the streets to see it.
The Lord Mayor’s State Coach,

The Lord Mayor's Coach

built in 1757 has pride of place and travels to St Paul’s Cathedral where it stops briefly (about 5 minutes), the Lord Mayor is welcomed into the city and blessed by the Dean of St Paul’s, a ceremony that takes place on the steps for all the citizens of the city to witness.

re-joining the parade from St Paul's Cathedral

From there it re-joins the parade and proceeds along Ludgate Hill, into Fleet Street past Prince Henry’s Room

Prince Henry's Room - Fleet Street

and into The Strand to The Royal Courts of Justice,

in front of The Royal Courts of Justice

the crowds following close behind. The journey pauses here for just over an hour while the Lord Mayor swears his allegiance to the Crown.
The procession starts once again and winds it’s way through Temple, along Victoria Embankment up past Puddle Dock, into Queen Victoria Street and thence to Mansion House – (completed in 1758 a rare surviving Georgian town palace) – the home and office of the Lord Mayor for the time he is in office.
Thereafter a gap of approx 2.5 hours and to end the event a fabulous display of aquabatics, a row-past by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association, (at which point I waved enthusiastically to Joe (from twitter) of The Brightside Six) who were part of the regatta,

Thames Traditional Rowing Association

dancing water fountains and fireworks on the Thames.

The Lord Mayor's Show - fireworks on the Thames end the show

fireworks on the Thames - a sparkling end to a sparkly day

The Lord Mayor is not to be confused with the Mayor of London, a completely different role. The Lord Mayor is primarily an international ambassador for the UK and spends 90 days a year travelling to around 23 countries, promoting the Square Mile aka the City of London.

griffin and herald - City of London

I was lucky enough to find a fabulous spot right near the steps of St Paul’s for that part of the ceremony and then another just past the Royal Courts of Justice for the 2nd part. I then followed the parade right to the end at Mansion House and thence to the Guildhall to see the coach in it’s display case.

The Lord Mayor's Coach

It was quite amazing to be part of this historical procession and to witness an event that has been re-enacted for almost 800 years. It was quite weird to see a funfair at St Paul’s too!!!

the fair comes to St Paul's

I phoned my sister in South Africa so she could listen to the bells ringing but unfortunately all she could hear was static. The bells rang out across the city, almost continuously for the whole time except when the Lord Mayor was actually at the cathedral. The streets were lined with thousands of people and an air of excitement pervaded the city. I had ever such a fabulous day, rushing along the pavements and streets of London following the parade, chatting to people, being cheeky with the police (heehee), and generally having a brilliant time. The day ended off with a pledge fulfilled and fireworks… the pledge was to Joe from twitter…I had said I would wave my pink scarf as they went by and so I did….and he saw me!!! how much fun is that!

It is fantastic to be able to witness these events and I am eternally grateful that I now live here…….London for ever 🙂 I am truly addicted!

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even Katie Price has nothing on this guy!!

Posted in around the UK, Fun Stuff, Health, Historical, interesting things that happen in London, things to do in London, tagged bonfire night, events in the UK, gunpowder plot of 1605, guy fawkes, Traditional events in London on November 5, 2010| 4 Comments »

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…

Yup, it’s that time of the year again….Bonfire night! aka ‘Guy Fawkes’ night. Guy Fawkes; infamous for attempting to assassinate King James I. All round about the UK this event (or non event) is celebrated/commemorated with Fireworks,

fireworks for November 5th

burning effigies,

effigies

and lovely brightly flaming bonfires!!

bonfire night

the sound and smell of autumn and the commemoration of an event that happened (or didn’t) 405 years ago!! talk about keeping yourself in the news!! Even Katie Price has nothing on this guy! excuse the pun! 🙂

Guy Fawkes - still in the news even after 405 years!

Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606),born in 1570 in Stonegate, York, the second of four children born to Edward Fawkes, and his wife, Edith.

aka Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries
Guy Fawkes belonged to a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605
Fawkes was born and educated in York. His father died when Fawkes was eight years old
His mother then married a recusant Catholic and Fawkes later converted to Catholicism
Left for the continent; fought in the Eighty Years’ War on the side of Catholic Spain against Protestant Dutch reformators
Travelled to Spain to seek support for a Catholic rebellion in England; unsuccessful. Later met Thomas Wintour, with whom he returned to England
Wintour introduced Fawkes to Robert Catesby, who planned to assassinate King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne
The plotters secured the lease to an undercroft beneath the House of Lords, and Fawkes was placed in charge of the gunpowder they stockpiled there
Prompted by the receipt of an anonymous letter, the authorities searched Westminster Palace during the early hours of 5 November, and found Fawkes guarding the explosives
Incarcerated in the Tower of London,

Tower of London - Traitors Gate

over the next few days, he was questioned and tortured, and eventually broke

implements of toture at the Tower - the rack and manacles

Immediately before his execution on 31 January, Fawkes jumped from the scaffold where he was to be hanged and broke his neck, thus avoiding the agony of the drawing and quartering that followed
Fawkes became synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, which has been commemorated in England since 5 November 1605
His effigy is burned on a bonfire, often accompanied by a firework display.

And with the fun and fireworks comes the dangers associated with fire. Of course this year the Fire Brigade have chosen this weekend to air their grievances with a strike that starts on Friday 5th thru to Sunday 7th November.

Here is some advice to keep you safe:

use a taper to light fireworks and stand well back

once fireworks are lit, dont go back!

if you are building a bonfire, keep it clear of buildings, fences, barns, garden sheds, foliage and flammable liquids

never ever use flammable liquids to light the fire!! they are explosive and can cause massive injuries, even death

be sure to keep your bonfire under control and never leave it alone and untended

keep children at a safe distance and dont leave them unattended.

keep a bucket of water handy to douse any escaping flames or sparklers and use said water to douse the embers once the bonfire has burned down.

Bonfire night is a wonderful excuse to don those winter coats, scarves and hats and head off to the professional events that are held country wide! have a great time and be fire-wise!!! Here is a site with Bonfire Safety Advice…take a look, it’s worth the time spent.

wish you all a great time and enjoy the firework displays if you get to go!!

thanks to: edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com; chessaleeinlondon.wordpress.com and telegraph.co.uk for the pic off google images

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Halloween……….

Posted in Fun Stuff, Historical, Interesting articles, tagged halloween on October 31, 2010| 2 Comments »

Jack-o'-Lantern on Halloween

Halloween (or Hallowe’en) is an annual holiday observed on October 31, primarily in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day, but is today largely a secular celebration.

Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, carving jack-o’-lanterns, ghost tours, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, committing pranks, telling ghost stories or other frightening tales, and watching horror films.

The festival of Samhain celebrates the end of the “lighter half” of the year and beginning of the “darker half”, and is sometimes regarded as the “Celtic New Year”.

The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family’s ancestors were honoured and invited home while harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm. In Scotland the spirits were impersonated by young men dressed in white with masked, veiled or blackened faces. Samhain was also a time to take stock of food supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. Bonfires played a large part in the festivities. All other fires were doused and each home lit their hearth from the bonfire. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames. Sometimes two bonfires would be built side-by-side, and people and their livestock would walk between them as a cleansing ritual.

Another common practice was divination, which often involved the use of food and drink.

The name ‘Halloween’ and many of its present-day traditions derive from the Old English era
The word Halloween is first attested in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even (“evening”), that is, the night before All Hallows Day. Up through the early 20th century, the spelling “Hallowe’en” was frequently used, eliding the “v” and shortening the word. Although the phrase All Hallows is found in Old English (ealra hālgena mæssedæg, mass-day of all saints), All-Hallows-Even is itself not attested until 1556.

thanks to wikipedia for the photo and info…..for much more click here

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Halloween in Twickenham

Posted in around the UK, family and relationships, Historical, It's my life, Travel, tagged 19th century cemetery, halloween comes to twickenham, sweetie pies cupcakes, Twickenham on October 24, 2010| 3 Comments »

Halloween at Sweetie Pies in Twickenham

Yesterday my daughter and I went to Sweetie Pies Boutique Bakery in Twickenham to do some strategy planning for her business (just an excuse really to partake of the cupcakes 🙂 ). Sweetie Pies as you have probably gathered is one of my favourite places to visit when I am out this way….their cupcakes are heavenly and the store is quaint and adorable.
Yesterday was no exception and when we arrived I noticed the cutest cupcakes on display for Halloween.

Sweetie Pies cupcakes in Twickenham

In fact why not head out to Twickenham for Halloween in Church Street this coming Saturday 30th. They are marking the event with a host of goodies and fun entertainment for all the family.
Sweet Memories will have face-painting from 12 midday and a trick and treat corner, all for £3.50 per child.
Sweetie Pies often host themed events and with Halloween coming up they are planning a Cupcake decorating day on Saturday 30th October. The workshops take place in the Sweetie Pies creepy courtyard (weather permitting) between 4-5pm (ages 4-7) and 5.30-6.30pm (ages 7-12) for £12.

Spook-tastic Halloween cupcake decorating at Sweetie Pies

Langtons will be holding a Spooky Story time from 2pm in the childrens section – Free. In The Square you will be able to enjoy the witches scene from Macbeth performed by the Mary Wallace Theatre. There will be apple-bobbing from 5.30pm and a Fancy Dress Competition at 6pm with prizes for the scariest costume.
The Fox will be hosting the Eel Pie Pirates; a live local band from 8.30pm onward. So go on down and enjoy their grooves.

We had a most enjoyable couple of hours at Sweetie Pies; chatting, planning and drinkings copious cups of tea. Being autumn, the days tend to darken rather early so by 5pm when the shop closed we headed down to the river for a stroll along the riverside. The stroll only lasted about 5 minutes….it was too darn cold, so quickly taking a few photos of the setting sun over the river,

sunset on the Thames at Twickenham

we then made our way back to St Margaret’s which is where she is now living. On the way we passed an old, now disused 19th Century cemetery and slipped through the massive wrought-iron gates for a look around.

19th century cemetery

Although the cemetery was closed in 1955, generations of people living in Twickenham have ancestors buried there. Here you will also find buried contemporaries of Nelson and Wellington as well as a grave from the First World War. The cemetery is now a haven to a multitude of wildlife; a tawny owl, squirrels, foxes, pipstrells, the great spotted woodpecker and many other smaller birds. A suitable venue for the season.

autumn

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off with their heads….

Posted in around the UK, Castles of UK and Ireland, Historical, interesting things that happen in London, things to do in London, tagged The Tower of London on October 19, 2010| 2 Comments »

The Tower of London holds many secrets and hides a bloody past behind it’s walls.

The Tower of London

Not so hidden is the place where many executions took place. The youngest person to die at the hands of the executioner was just 16 years old; Lady Jane Grey… queen for just 9 days and then beheaded!

Tower Green

If nothing else the citizens of this tiny island were a blood thirsty and violent bunch. A visit to the Tower of London is a fascinating trip back in history and parts of the tower date back to 1075 when William the Conqueror started work on what is known as The White Tower

The White Tower

– the Norman Tower; built on the south-east of the ancient Roman city to control Londoners and deter invaders. Between 1238 and 1240 Henry III expanded the castle beyond the Roman city boundary. I took a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour which was highly entertaining, filled with fascinating facts and amusing anecdotes.

Yeoman Warder

This lasted for 45 minutes and the I took myself on a tour of the grounds, towers and ramparts. It always gives me a thrill to walk in the footsteps of well known figures like King Henry VIII who used to wait at the riverside gates for his brides and Ralegh who was imprisoned 3 times in the tower.

Ralegh's walk

Tower Green is the spot where 3 queens, two lords and two ladies were beheaded as traitors. Walking in the footsteps of Ralegh, Edward I and Henry III is beyond amazing, and in the medieval palace they have recreated King Edward’s chamber.

King Edward's chamber

Dotted on the ramparts are wrought-iron figures depicting soldiers and archers in battle-stance.

soldiers on the ramparts

The traitors gate,

Traitors Gate

chapels and towers make for a fascinating visit with the highlight being a visit to see the crown jewels, the most secured area in London. They are quite beyond magnificent with jewels to make your eyes water. 130 people in total live in the Tower and they host many events and on occasion re-enactments of historical events. The ravens of which there are 9 (3 for back-up) are well looked after, legend has it that if the ravens leave the palace the monarch will fall……so, as you can imagine these are the most well looked after birds in history!

the tower ravens

There are laods of guns, cannons and various items of weaponry dotted about the grounds, of which this was by far the most magnificent!

bronze 24-pounder gun and cast-iron carriage

This gun, which weights 5 3/4 tons was probably made in the Low Countries in 1607, commissioned by the Knights of Malta. It is richly decorated with a variety of images representing the Order’s Religious and Humanitarian role. It was brought to England around 1800. An awesome place to visit.

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discovering London

Posted in Fun Stuff, Historical, interesting things that happen in London, It's my life, things to do in London, tagged All Souls Church, Barclays Bicycle hire, Beau Brummel, Burlington Arcade, Burlington House, Charing Cross station, Fortnum and Mason, Regent Street, sheep in Savile Row, St James's Church, The Haunch of Venison, Waterloo Place on October 13, 2010| 2 Comments »

As you will have noticed from yesterday’s post I went #walkabout through London again on Monday afternoon! 🙂 boring of me to say this again, but……London is my all time favourite place to be and I enjoy discovering new things each time I go walkabout! 🙂

The reason for this particular excursion was of course to see the sheep in Savile Row… that was fun, albeit not as exciting as the elephants back in 2006 and many of the other fab events that London hosts on a regular basis. So going by the indicator on the map on the Timeout website I headed towards Oxford Circus, which if the hustle and bustle is anything to go by…..is a real circus! Some time back the Mayor very sensibly approved a scheme to make the area more easily traversed (The redesigned Oxford Circus, which opened November 2nd 2009, after a two-year, £5m makeover, contains two big innovations. As well as crossing the intersection laterally, pedestrians now have a 30-second window when all traffic stops and they can go at a diagonal along a giant X marked into the junction with metal studs. Known to road engineers, slightly alarmingly, as a “pedestrian scramble”, it is modelled on the famously frantic junction adjoining Shibuya station in central Tokyo.)

Oxford Circus London

Following the general direction on the website map I passed John Lewis where I noticed a fab wall sculpture ‘Winged Figure’

Winged Figure - John Lewis on Oxford Street

After a fair amount of walking and realising that evidently Savile Row was not where they said it was I headed back towards Oxford Circus and decided to start at the top end of Regent Street and make my way down till I found what I was looking for 🙂

I absolutely love these new direction finder maps dotted around London

In so doing, I finally got to visit a church that had been on my list of ‘places to visit’ for ages – All Souls Church, Langham Place. All Souls Church is unique as the last surviving church built by John Nash, who also developed nearby Regent’s Park and Regent Street, and was completed in December 1823 at a final cost of £18,323-10s-5d, and opened in November 1824.

All Souls Church, Langham Place, London

Eventually I found my objective and thoroughly enjoyed the brief encounter.

sheep in Savile Row 🙂

Finding at myself at the end of Savile Street it was an easy decision as to where my next stop would be; just to the right I had spied what appeared to be a fascinating building that I had not seen before! Cool!

The Haunch of Venison....I know!!! what a name and what a fab building

After exploring the perimeter and being curious I ventured inside….OhMyWord!!! It is lovely! In contrast to the exterior which is old and quite grubby with the buildup of debris over the years, the interior is just fabulous!

a sweeping staircase leading up from the foyer

I will write more about this fabulous gallery in another post on my 3 Days In London.info blog. Suffice to say it is going to be added to my list of great places to visit. After a most satisfying visit looking at artwork that leaves your mouth agape, I then made my way back to Regent Street and decided to continue on to Piccadilly Circus. Enroute I passed Burlington Arcade; Burlington Arcade was Britain’s very first shopping Arcade, opened in 1819 to great acclaim and now recognised as an historic and architectural masterpiece

Burlington Arcade - Piccadilly, London

I strolled through the arcade enjoying the goods on display. Burlington Arcade is locked up at night and boasts it’s own Police Force, independent of the London Metropolitan Force. Exiting into Piccadilly I noticed that across the road was Fortnum and Mason, due a visit! But before that I was totally intrigued by a buidling on my left that certainly deserved further exploration!

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London

Burlington House was originally a private Palladian mansion expanded in the mid 19th century after being purchased by the British government. The main building is at the northern end of the courtyard and houses the Royal Academy. Again this bears further exploration! From there I then crossed over for a visit to Fortnum and Mason

Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly, London

Whoa!! Beautiful, beautiful. The window dressings are gorgeous and the shelves inside groan with delicious goods, from the four corners of the planet as well goodies for the more macarbe occassions we celebrate.

halloween comes to Fortnum and Mason

From there I visted the Piccadilly Arcade: The Piccadilly Arcade has always offered traditional quality, luxury and style. The same is true today as it was in 1910, with a unique blend of specialist shops.

Piccadilly Arcade, between Piccadilly and Jermyn Street

As I wandered through the arcade I was whisked back into my childhood by a window display –

Toy Soldiers!!!!

My Grandfather had a fabulous collection of toy soldiers and such like when I was a kid and I remember being entranced by the little characters, and this was a trip down memory lane for me!!! I stepped into the store to take my fill of the display. The proprietor of ‘The Armory of St James’, was happy for me to take photos. 🙂 I had noticed at the end of the arcade, resplendent in the sunlight, the statue of a ‘dandy’….I am simply unable to bypass a statue without stopping to find out who and when! I then made the acquaintance of ‘Beau Brummel’ 1778-1840 and the quote: “to be truly elegant, one should not be noticed”.

Beau Brummel 1778 - 1840. to be found in Jermyn Street, St James's, London

Turning left I walked passed Princes Arcade (for which I have been unable to find much historical info)

Princes Arcade - east of Piccadilly Arcade

Princes Arcade is adjacent to St James’s Church on Piccadilly so that was my next stop! St James’s Church is one of Wren’s Churches; The foundation stone was laid on 3 April 1676 by the Earl of St. Albans and the Bishop of London and in Robert Hooke’s Diary for this date is an entry — ‘St. Albans Cornerstone layd’— which presumably refers to the event.

St James's Church - Piccadilly; a Wren church

the church is really lovely inside and imbues a sense of peace and calm. I found a beautiful marble font

beautiful marble carved font

The church boasts a magnificent organ that towers over the interior

the organ in St James's church

By now I was famished and parched……like being in the ruddy desert!!! So without further ado I set off to find somewhere to have a cuppa! I spied with my little eye…..

Costa Coffee!!! cuppachino and an almond croissant...yummy 🙂

Fully satiated and raring to go, I set off to walk the end bit of Regent Street and explore Waterloo Place where I made the acquaintance of Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale

she stands in front of a magnificent memorial to the Crimean War

memorial to the Crimean War

as well as many other fascinating memorials and statues….well worth a visit for a look into history.

memorial to Field Marshall Lord Clyde

There is a very pretty little park nearby and some gorgeous buildings with interesting facades. For cycling enthusiasts there is one of the Barclays Cycle hire stands

Barclays cycle hire

From there I skipped down the stairs past the column that supports a statue of Frederick Duke of York, 2nd son of George III that presides high on his loft with a fab view of St James’s Park and surrounding area.

Frederick, Duke of York. 2nd son of George III

There is a doorway at the base and I am curious to know if the top of the column is accessible….the view must be phenomenal. Must find out some time! A short walk took me to St James’s park which is looking so gorgeous…the weather was fabulous and it almost feels like spring rather than autumn where the citizens of our fair city and tourists alike were making the most of the sunshine

St Jame's Park just off The Mall

There is a really lovely memorial on the corner of St James’s park

memorial on the corner of St James's Park

as you walk towards Admiralty Arch. A short walk then took me past the Police Memorial,

Police Memorial adjacent to the Citadel near Horse-Guards parade

past Capt. James Cook’s statue, through Admiralty Arch and past Trafalgar Square which is really just gorgeous in the sunshine

Trafalgar Square

by now my time was running short so it was time to head home. Enroute to Charing Cross station I walked past Craven Street (where I discovered Benjamin Franklin’s house a few weeks earlier), so nipped down the steps for a quick photo. And another of the Barclays bicycle stands are right there! There are also some really lovely modern buildings in the area and I was particularly entranced by this one

beautiful day reflected in a beautiful building

then a short walk later and I was at Charing Cross station

Charing Cross Station

and so to home……………

directional signboards inside the station

what a marvellous day. I am particularly impressed with the directional signboards that now dot the city, they prove to be very helpful when you are just not quite sure where a particular road is, and also give you an approximate distance in time.

direction finder map giving you an idea of where you are in relation to where you want to go

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Cannons and things

Posted in Historical, It's my life, things to in London, Travel, tagged cannon, Capt James Cook, Edmund Halley, Horse Guards parade, London, Turkish gun on October 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Last week Saturday I went walkabout through London…well more specifically, through the City of Westminster, which is a city in it’s own right, albeit within the Greater London area. This city is chock-a-block with fabulous ‘things to see’. I have walked this route numerous times before and yet I always discover something new…..this was no exception.

to be found in the Horse Guards Parade

and this marvellous item, which I simply cannot believe I never saw before….

the wheel of a Turkish gun

these two fabulous guns/cannons are to be found in the Horse Guards Parade. The following memorial is situated near St James’s Palace…..

gems of London

I also had the greatest of luck and managed to visit the Cloisters of Westminster Abbey. There was some sort of ceremony going on so I just kinda walked in….. as I do. 🙂 There are some fabulous memorials scattered about, one of which is dedicated to Edmond Halley…….

memorial to Edmond Halley

and this for Capt James Cook, which I thought was expecially lovely….

memorial to Capt James Cook at Westminster Abbey

No matter how much time you spend, or how often to walk about this fabulous city, there is always something new to discover.

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the Pope’s visit

Posted in family and relationships, Historical, It's my life, news from around the world, spirituality, tagged the Pope's visit on September 27, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I realise this is a week late….but hey, it’s my blog 🙂

Last week, Britain saw and complained and complained, about the visit of the head of the Catholic Church to our shores, (how boring life would be if there was nothing to complain about!) Initially when this news first hit our papers, I was like well… so what?! What’s all the fuss about? It was splashed across the papers, some folk were way excited about it, others were complaining about that we had to pay for it (I would rather pay for that than for some greedy politician to go buy a duck-house for his pond!), about how he, the Pope, had swept the paedophile issues under the carpet and not dealt with them properly and about why did he have to come here anyway and blah, blah blah! It’s sells papers!

Initially I just took a passing interest, then watching the news, I saw about how the Duke of Edinburgh broke with tradition and greeted him at the airport, saw how this man with the lovely smile descended the stairs, and how tiny he is, and suddenly my interest was piqued. Here is this man, a short little guy, well into his 80’s who should be at home with his feet up in his parlour, relaxing and enjoying his old age….who in reality commands a massive institution, a man who has a profound influence on the world and whose word sways millions of people…… And that sudden realisation amazed me. Plus he has a bank balance greater than my mind could possibly conceive (they have a point about us paying for it!)

I guess when it is nearer to home it makes a difference. In Rome he is hundreds of miles away…a figure in a robe on the box, and he doesn’t seem real. But now that he was on home shores; I found myself getting caught up in all the excitement and bemoaned the fact that I was unable to attend any of the events in London – mmmhhh. But, I was glued to the TV when they showed the various events around the country and I found myself totally caught up in the excitement of it all. I was particularly enchanted that he was coming to London (how absurd). It was particularly fantastic to me when he visited Westminster Abbey… it represented reconciliation, acceptance of another’s beliefs and how they conduct that belief, it represented humility… he the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, a far more powerful and influential institution than the Church of England, was humble enough to step into the Abbey and worship on the grounds of a different, albeit similar faith. I also mused at the time that Henry VIII was probably spinning in his grave at the temerity of it all.

I found myself loving the traditions, and the flamboyance of it all. I got all emotional watching the ceremony of ‘beatification’ of someone who was significant in his, the Pope, and others lives, and yet most people had probably never heard of John Henry Newman. I loved that he drove around in a ‘Pope mobile’… how modern 🙂 I loved when he stopped to kiss and bless the babies along the way. This was especially wonderful to witness, coz of what it meant to their parents, how overjoyed they must have been that he stopped to bless their child. Not every kid gets to be kissed and blessed by the Pope. The kid’s life will most likely be defined by that one moment in time…’the day the Pope kissed me’. I would love to fast-forward 20 years and see what has become of that child…how has it affected their lives. If their parents are particularly religious, what responsibility will they now place on the child. It could be a blessing or a curse. I found myself getting all tearful for the parents (yeah, go figure), how must they feel…. it was obviously important to them or they would not have held the child up. There was one moment too on the day of the beatification – along the way he stopped the car twice to bless and kiss babies, and yet just a few yards further along, there all dressed up in a beautiful white dress was another baby…. held up in the hope of……. and he didn’t stop!!! I cried (daft I know) for those parents, at their dismay, their disappointment, and probably their hurt and maybe even anger. The child had obviously been dressed up especially….the outfit was of the christening kind, a lovely white, frilly dress and he didn’t even stop! I was shouting at the TV… “No! go back, you missed that baby!” He stopped for the other babies, why not theirs? How did that make them feel? How will it affect their future beliefs? Will they carry that with them forever or will they just shrug it off and it becomes the ‘day the Pope didn’t stop to kiss you’. Will it be talked about for generations (as these things are) and how will it then define the life of that child.

It also begs the question…..if as they say; the church is hiding paedophiles and brushes their misdemeanors under the carpet…why then allow the man who is supposedly responsible for that all to kiss your baby?

Paedophiles are a rotten curse on society…. they should be incarcerated and never see the light of day ever again. But, families hide these things, they hush them up, unable to face the horror that in their midst could be someone who is so vile. It is easier to shut their eyes and deny it…they brush it under the carpet. The church, no matter which one it is, is no different. They are a family, he is the ‘Papa’ and they have done what most families do, they try to hide it and hide from it. It is too horrible to face. There are also people and families who brave the onslaught that knowledge of these things bring, and face it head on.

My question is this….. why when after all, he is just a mere mortal, ok one who is more esteemed and apparently the conduit between heaven and earth, with the ear of God on his side….why is he expected to do any differently than anyone else. Many Priests ‘find’ their vocation and become caring, loving representatives of the church, they are good men, they teach and worship and tend to their flock. And then there are others who use this as a means to prey on vulnerable children, there are also those who are forced through their parents and families’ wishes and desires to ‘become a Priest’. What then makes them different to any other on earth? How, when we as mere mortals live on a daily basis with people in our families who go on to do dreadful things to others, and we never would have guessed, how can we expect this man to know? And how on earth can anyone expect one man to ‘know’ the mind and character of every Priest in his church.

Why are we so surprised when it is discovered that a ‘Priest’ has been found out of abusing children? What makes them different? Is it the supposition of ‘faith’, the supposition that coz they are Priests they should be good and pure? Is it the clothes they wear, the traditions they are meant to uphold and then desecrate that makes it all the more shocking! Or is it that they have abused their position in society? We live on a daily basis with our friends and our families…..and we never really ‘know’ them. It is impossible to know.

I totally believe that paedophiles should be hung, drawn and quartered for what they do, but why do people pin all the blame on one man. Yes he is the head of the catholic faith, yes he carries the burden of that position….but why make him the scapegoat. The law doesn’t really take it seriously and unless a child has died as a consequence, they get a jail term and are then allowed out early for good behaviour! Yes, they have been good….they are stuck in jail and unable to get their hands on little kiddies. Let them out and hey ho…off they go!

So now that all the hoolabah has died down, the crazies have gone back into their cages and the Pope has gone home…what now? What are the people who demonstrated and made such a fuss about the visit doing now? What are the people who flocked to the events doing now? According to statistics the number of church attendees has dropped dramatically and churches are half empty, unless you have a really charismatic Priest/Vicar or whatever. Have these people now started attending their church again and for how long before the novelty wears off? Have they found their faith again? Or is it just the celebrity aspect and the excitement of an outing that drew the crowds?

And what about the most contentious issue of the whole visit….paedophilia? What are the people who demonstrated doing about it now? What are we as a society doing about it now? Is it up to just one man to sort it out, or is it our responsibility as a whole?

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the treasures of London

Posted in Historical, things to in London, Travel, tagged Benjamin Franklin's House, Leicester Square, Open House, Royal Air Force, St Clement Danes, St Mary Le Strand, St Pauls and Paternoster Square, The Royal Courts of Justice, The Ship and Shovell, Trafalgar Square robots, walkabout through London, Whitehall on September 25, 2010| Leave a Comment »

18.09.10 Walkabout through City of London….. Today (18th) I got to do one of my favourite things…..I went walkabout through London, and I am sure that by now you will have noticed I do this quite a lot. 🙂

London is a treasure trove of interesting buildings, parks, statues, unusual places and sometimes unexpected surprises! I never tire of walking about the city and today was no exception.

Arthur Sullivan memorial in Victoria Gardens

I started my journey at Leicester Square…just coz I love it so much. I briefly explored the gardens and noticed that the square was unusually quiet….either that or I was unusually early 🙂 It was quite pleasant for a change – being able to walk around without being knocked off my feet.

Leicester Square at 10:10 in the morning...better than 22:10 in the evening!

Then I meandered over past the Wappenbaum, past China Town and onto Piccadilly Circus where I managed to get a few photos of the fountain and Eros without a rainy background……did I mention that the day was splendid!!!

a perfect autumn day

Wonderful blue skies and crispy autumn weather. I also managed to take wonderful photos of the 4 horse fountain and the golden girls above.

From there I walked back through Leicester Square past the London Hippodrome which has the most amazing carved chariot on the top of the building. I then walked along Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square to see the robot display that was set up in the forecourt.

robots at Trafalgar Square

The sun was shining brightly and I got a fab photo of St Martin-in-the-fields Church.

St Martin-in-the-fields

I had decided to take a walk along Victoria Embankment, so making my way past Charing Cross Station I stopped briefly to admire the newly renovated Eleanor Cross and the facade of the hotel. It had been my intention to walk along Villiers Street to the gardens but I stopped briefly to look at the Sanza shop in the Arches Shopping Arcade and for some reason the end of the tunnel beckoned enticing….. I am quite unable to resist meandering through narrow lanes and around hidden corners to see what’s beyond.
As I walked out the tunnel to my delight I noticed an intriguing pub ‘The Ship and Shovell’ a tiny little pub that has the unique distinction of being the only London Pub in two halves.

The Ship and Shovell..... a pub in two halves

Yes, indeed one half of the pub is on the opposite side of the narrow lane.

I exited into Crawford Street and while looking around I notice a plaque across the street on the wall. Closer, I noted that it mentioned that ‘Heinrich Heiner’ lived at the house in 1827. These plaques are of constant fascination to me and I am always delighted to discover them….it amazes me to know that famous people, whoever they may have been, had lived there.

Before leaving I turned to my left to photograph the houses on that side of the road, briefly annoyed that there was a great big blessed bunting attached to the railings. Complaining to myself about hanging bunting all over the place I walked closer to get a better angle…and bit my tongue! Not literally thankfully, but mentally. The reason for the bunting was ‘Open House’. Yes it was one of the Open House venues which are open to the public this weekend every year in September…and to make it even better it was the house where Benjamin Franklin had lived!!! Whoo hoo.

inside Benjamin Franklin's house

Without any further ado, I stepped into the foyer and to my absolute luck a tour was just about to start…I tagged along immediately. Although the house is largely unfurnished it offers a fascinating insight into the homes of Georgian days. I wrote more about this in a separate blog on 3daysinlondon.info. Needless to say, it was fascinating and I really enjoyed this glimpse into the past…a past of gas-lamps and dark alleyways, mystery and discovery.

After the tour I headed towards the embankment once again and as I strolled along to my delight I noticed another blue plaque further along….this one said that ‘Herman Melville’ author of Moby Dick lived here in 1849!!! OMGosh…. Then I walked back and along another narrow lane past The Sherlock Holmes’ restaurant. Wonderful.

Sherlock Holmes Restaurant

Shortly I reached Whitehall Place and noticing that the park gates were open I decided to explore….I have never yet explored these gardens despite having walked past many, many times. I stepped past a bank of the Barclay’s bicycles….they are everywhere 🙂 then walked through the gates and into a wonderful landscape…..the gardens are dotted with fascinating and fabulous statues and the flower beds are lovely. The rear buildings of Whitehall, which stand tall and imposing but beautiful, tower over the gardens.

Whitehall Gardens

There a number of memorials to folk who have influenced the City of London and the United Kingdom in many ways as well as other aspects of the history. I will blog on these folk separately as there are so many. Reaching the end of the gardens I stepped out and into Horse Guards Avenue. I was delighted to realise where I was now and walked along to the end of the avenue, past the Ministry of Defence which is massive and very imposing with two statues sitting atop a plinth on either side of the doors.

Ministry of Defence doors and statues...impressive

A short stroll brought me to Whitehall (the road) and across the way of course are the Horse-Guards. I retraced my steps and found a lovely statue commemorating the Gurkha Soldiers and noting the various Campaigns they had fought in for the UK….I mused that Joanna Lumley had very good cause to fight for their right to stay in the UK.

list of Campaigns the Ghurkas fought in for the UK

I strolled along to admire the front of the buildings that line the gardens at the rear…they are impressive and very beautiful. I then walked back and turning right into the 2nd half of the gardens I noticed amongst the usual statues one very beautiful statue that looked like an angel descending from the heavens. On closer inspection I noted that it was a RAF Pilot descending on angel wings named ‘Fleet Air Arm’…..the memorial was inscribed with dozens of names….stunning.

Fleet Air Arm

I then made my way towards Victoria Embankment just in time to listen to Big Ben chime the 12 noon. 🙂

I made my way over the opposite side of the road to have another look at the memorial to ‘The Battle of Britain’. It really is very impressive….

memorial to The Battle of Britain... on the Victoria Embankment

Then meandering along I enjoyed my view of the London Eye, County Hall and the wonderful memorial in remembrance of the men and women of the Air-Forces who gave their lives in the 2 World Wars. Finally reaching Hungerford Bridge I clambered up the steps for one of my favourite views of the river and the city.

what a beautiful view.....an amazing city 🙂

Along the way I stopped to look at the memorial to Sir Joseph Bazalgette CB – the Engineer of the London Main Drainage System and of this Embankment! And on the other side of the bridge is a memorial to W.S. Gilbert Poet and Playwright ‘his foe was folly and his weapon wit’. Cool.

By now it was almost 12:30 so I made my way into the Victoria Gardens and strolled along to admire the gardens. These gardens are beautiful, also filled with wonderful statues and memorials: Robert Burns; the gate that marked the north bank of the river Thames before the construction of the Victoria Embankment in 1862;

this gateway marks the position of the north bank of the River Thames before the construction of the Victoria Embankment in 1862

a fascinating statue of a soldier in the uniform of the WWI mounted on a camel. I forgot to have a look what the inscription was…. Also in the gardens is a beautiful memorial to Arthur Sullivan and to Robert Raikes ‘Founder of Sunday Schools in 1780.

I tarried for a while and enjoyed my sandwiches whilst listening to the chirping birds and murmur of brief conversations. The sun was beating down, warm and comforting. After lunch I continued along through the park and noticed on my left the entrance to the Savoy Hotel. Deciding to have a closer look I ventured along Savoy Place leading to the hotel and along the way I noticed a 2nd Open House….The Institution of Engineering and Technology, the beautiful Victorian building situated on the site of the 13th Century Savoy Palace. Awesome.
I stepped through the doors into a lovely tall cool foyer, where I was told I could explore at will…which I did. First to the 3rd floor and the Riverside Room from where I had a marvellous view of the river and then into the Lecture Theatre; original panelling and carved cartouches from 1909, designed by W S Frith, as well as a beautiful ceiling feature.

beautiful ceiling of the Lecture Theatre at the EIF

Next stop the library and archives; housing a world-class collection of digital and printed resources on all areas of engineering and technology.

From there I decided to explore the rear of the Savoy Hotel which looked rather beautiful, and to my delight and amazement I found a tiny chapel; The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in the square.

The Queen's Chapel of The Savoy

From here I continued uphill and found that I was now in The Strand, and as I walked along I passed Somerset House and since I had yet to visit…..decided to explore….the London fashion Week is being hosted in the forecourt and the number of totally amazing outfits boggled the mind.

London Fashion Week - some seriously absurd outifts

I noticed that the Inland Revenue has their home there (?); admired the fabulous fountain that faces the entrance,

lovely fountain in the courtyard of Somerset House

walked around the back to Seaman’s House…the carvings around the building are of a nautical nature and most amazing…I walked through the foyer of Seaman’s House to the patio at the back for a view of the river…lovely. Returning to The Strand I walked to the far end to explore a church I had so wanted to visit for ages…. St Mary Le Strand, one of 2 island churches on The Strand.

interior of St Mary le Strand

Wow…what a beautiful church….again I will blog on this separately. From there I meandered as I do and found amongst other treasures; the ghost station of Piccadilly RLY – Strand Station; now boarded up and just around the corner in Surrey Street another exit to the station, also boarded up.

a ghost station

And just a wee bit further on I noticed a mysterious tunnel-like entrance and a plaque on the wall… thank goodness they are so sensible in this country with all the plaques…stepping into this dark entrance – Surrey Steps, I walked along this exceptionally short street and down a dank, grubby set of stairs and into a very shabby lane to the right and there to my utter delight were the remains of a ‘Roman bath’ ….. awesome!!

a Roman bath

Another of the English Heritage sites and one of the Open House venues….not normally open to the public and usually viewed through a window we were able to step into the ancient past.

From here I made my way back downhill towards the embankment, passed the delightful ‘Norfolk Hotel’ with its wonderful facade and intricately carved entrance details,

beautiful detail on the pillars at the entrance to Norfolk House

and thence to Temple where I was to meet up with my daughter. Since she had not yet arrived I meandered along Temple Place, passing Arundel House and to the corner where I stopped at Number 2 Temple Place to enquire of the 2 very smartly dressed gentlemen out front the gates, about the history. Turns out #2 Temple Place was a house built for the ‘Astor’s’ of the hotel chain, but they never actually lived in it. It is now owned and managed by The Bulldog Trust and is used as a venue for weddings, important dinners and such like. Very grand.

Number 2 Temple Place...built as a residence for Wiliam Waldorf Astor 1895

From there I slipped through the metal bollards that guard the entrance to the lane heading uphill and into Temple. A short walk and up a long flight of steps into a short cul-de-sac uphill and past the Edgar Wallace Pub….a sad story.

As I neared the top of the lane I suddenly became aware of a beautiful building ahead of me… OMWord!!! The Royal Courts of Justice…..a most incredibly beautiful buildings, looking for all the world like a fairytale castle rising up on the crest of the hill. My jaw practically dropped to the sidewalk in amazement….it is magnificent.

The Royal Courts of Justice

I sent CJ a text message to say hurry up….it’s one of the Open House venues!!! Yup, you got it….the courts were open to the public for our delight.
While was waiting I explored the surrounding area and found the most delightful and beautiful St Clement of the Danes Royal Air Force Church.

St Clement Danes Central Church of the RAF

An enormous memorial to ‘Gladstone’ stands on the forecourt and the interior of the church is magnificent. A small church dedicated to St Clement has sat on the site dating prior to the 9th century. When the settled Danes settled in the area the church became known as St Clement of the Danes. I will go back at some stage to explore further and then blog in more detail about it.

Finally CJ arrived and we set off to explore this magnificent Royal Courts of Justice. (see blog)
After the fun and games of this particular visit, I then took her on a tour of Fleet Street and the areas I have explored for my itinerary. We visited the birth site of Samuel Pepys, St Bride’s Church, Fleet Place, Old Bailey, past St Sepulchre’s Church (another favourite of mine), past Cutler’s Hall, into Stationers Hall, along Ludgate Hill to St Paul’s and through Temple Bar into Paternoster Square. Along the way we stopped to admire the beautiful houses in Amen Court and the very modern steel spiral vents of Paternoster Square.

spiral vents at Paternoster Square

By now we were in the mood for a hot drink so stepped into Starbucks and treated ourselves to a drink and carrot cake…..sat on the benches surrounding the ‘pineapple’

the 'pineapple' in Paternoster Square and St Paul's Cathedral

and enjoyed our fabulous view of the Cathedral….listened to the 6 p.m. Bells while I regaled her with tales of the history of the square, St Paul’s and surrounds. After coffee and having recovered our strength we explored the garden of St Paul’s and then to the bus-stop and home.

A marvellous day.

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