London images - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite image of London you'd like to share?

"Walbrook Wharf at night. It's not a traditional London image, but I love that the Thames is a working river - this is the loading point for a commercial waste processing company, right next to Cannon Street station in the middle of the city - a few feet from the Bankers pub."- Miss Alice

* Photo by me.

London images - Prof O'Boyle

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite image of London you'd like to share?

Being iced in London has a totally different meaning!

Reproduced with kind permission of the photographer, Amanda Wilson

- Prof O'Boyle

London images - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite image of London you'd like to share?

"I love this image because it's around 500 years old, and, while there have been changes, London is still recognizable. Not many cities can say that! (I also like all of the boats and London Bridge in the background.)"- Kris

Tower of London -- from manuscript (British Library, MS Royal, 16 folio 73) of poems by Charles, Duke of Orleans (1391-1465); commemorating his imprisonment there

London bus routes - Catherine

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bus route?

"You don’t have to be leaving from Hammersmith or Aldwych to catch a ride through some of London’s trendiest areas. The Route 9 bus goes down Kensington High Street, past Hyde Park and Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, to Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and the Strand.

If you want to experience the Routemaster buses, Route 9 offers a Heritage service between Royal Albert Hall in Kensington and Aldwych (Wikipedia 'London Buses route 9' if you want to know more!)"- Catherine

* Photo by jovike, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London bus routes - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bus route?

"Leaving aside for a moment my gratitude to the 24hr number 25, which has been able to get me to minimum-fare-taxi distance from everywhere I've ever lived in London, how about the 341, from City Hall to Seven Sisters. (The route actually carries on past there, but I've never been on the final leg.)

The #34 delivers a real cross section of London, from the big buildings and classic tourist London views as you cross the river on Waterloo Bridge, past my favourite dance venue, Sadlers Wells, through Islington, and into the areas of North London not troubled by tube connections - Stoke Newington, and the much loved Clissold Park (which is hosting a participatory sculpture installation this Saturday - DOG - which looks fab). From there, you head up past Finsbury Park, though Hackney and Tottenham to the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, another great venue for dance. This end of the route is a slice of 'average' London that most tourists will never visit."- Miss Alice

* Photo by Ines 93, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London bus routes - Prof O'Boyle

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bus route?

"Why purchase an expensive ticket on a sight-seeing bus tour of London when you can hop on a number 11 bus and see many of London’s greatest tourist attractions? Starting its journey in Fulham (with its trendy bars and pubs), the bus plies it route up the King’s Road in Chelsea, past designer boutiques and the Saatchi Gallery. Taking in Sloane Square, with Cadogan Concert Hall, The Royal Court Theatre, and the south end of Sloane Street (London’s Rodeo Drive), the bus makes it way to Victoria, passing the stunning Byzantine-style Roman Catholic Cathedral of Westminster. It then heads on to Parliament Square, with excellent views of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It then proceeds up Whitehall, past the great departments of state and Downing Street, and on to Trafalgar Square, the natural habit of Notre Dame students. It then passes along the Strand, past the Royal Courts of Justice and down Fleet Street (once the centre of Britain’s newspaper industry). It then rises up Ludgate Hill, past St Paul’s Cathedral and on to the Mansion House (The Lord Mayor of London’s residence), the Bank of England, and the Old Stock Exchange. The bus terminates at Liverpool Street Station, just a stone’s throw from Spittalfields Market and Brick Lane, an ideal place to end your journey with an authentic curry! What more could you ask of a single bus route!"- Prof O'Boyle

* Photo by James Cridland, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London bus routes - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bus route?

"My favourite bus route is the water bus from Westminster to Greenwich. It allows me to see London the way most people have viewed it, over the 2,000 years (give or take) that there has been a settlement here.

Until 1750 London Bridge was the only bridge across the Thames, and city roads were bad and crowded; it was far quicker (and more pleasant) to take a boat along the river. In fact, if you look at many of the old buildings along the Thames you will see that they still have a 'water gate' where boats could pull in to let passengers off, so they wouldn't have to walk on the street at all. (Somerset House is a prime example of this.)

If you haven't gone to Greenwich yet, thinking about going by the Water Bus. It's a lot of fun!"
- Kris

* Photo by Dr Max, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London bus routes - Ric

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite bus route?

"Route 3: Crystal Palace to Oxford Circus. Route 3 takes in one of London's most iconic landmarks: the Houses of Parliament. The nine-mile route begins at Crystal Palace and ends at Oxford Circus, but the majority of sights tourists will want to see on this route are located within Westminster.

Travelling towards Oxford Circus, Route 3 crosses over Lambeth Bridge, offering stunning views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. The bus then makes its way down Whitehall, past Downing Street, House Guards, and the Palace of Westminster and passes through Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.

My favourite part of this route, however, is its origin in Crystal Palace, home of dinosaurs, Victorian architecture and views northwards across London. Take a 63 from K-M to Crystal Palace, and return to town via the number 3 bus."
- Ric

* Photo by Ben Sutherland, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Picnic locations - Miss Alice

Question of the week:

"One of my favourites is Greenwich Park out in east London - from the top of the hill, the views back towards central London are fantastic, and no matter how many tourists are milling around the Observatory, the park never seems crowded, especially if you turn your back on the view and wander further into the park, towards the Wilderness, where the deer that once roamed this royal hunting ground now live.

There are plenty of sources of picnic ingredients in Greenwich itself - and the elegant Tea Pavilion in the park itself - but if you're not treating yourself to a river boat down from Blackfriars or Embankment but instead taking the Jubilee line route, stop off at London Bridge to stock up at Borough Market for a truly premium picnic, fit for your royal destination"
- Miss Alice

* Photo by Pic Fix, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Picnic locations - Catherine

Question of the week: Can you recommend a picnic location?

"Stuff some sandwiches in your bag and head over to Queen Mary's Rose Garden in Regent’s Park. With over 400 varieties of roses and 30,000 rose plants, Queen Mary’s is the largest collection of roses in London. The rambling, climbing and cluster-flowered roses are best at this time of year (mid-June) – perfect timing for the Summer Program! There is a café in this area of the park, an open air theatre, and you can even rent chairs for the day if you forgot your picnic blanket at home. Take an afternoon to stop and smell the roses…"
- Catherine

* Photo by druida, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Picnic locations - Prof O'Boyle

Question of the week: Can you recommend a picnic location?

"Where better to enjoy a picnic than on Hampstead Heath – with nearly 800 acres of rolling health land, woodland and meadows, and spectacular views across London too! A 20-minute tube ride north on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line takes you to Hampstead Underground Station, in the heart of Hampstead.

Hampstead is a beautifully preserved 17th-century village with many famous houses (e.g. Keats House, The Freud Museum, and Fenton House) as well as traditional pubs (e.g. The Holly Bush and The Flask). The Village has now become an exclusive residential area of London with a high street lined with fashionable shops and boutiques.

On a hot summer’s day, though, the Heath is the main attraction. Turn left out of the tube station and head down Hampstead High Street. Take the first alley on the left-hand side (Flask Walk) and continue walking straight until you reach the Heath at the end of Well Walk. Within 5 minutes you will be enjoying the open fields of the Heath for picnicking, kite flying, and throwing a ball.

For the more adventurous, on the far side of the Heath are the famous ponds, open 365 days a year for those hardy enough to swim outdoors.

For culture vultures, there is also Kenwood House, a magnificent Palladian Villa set in its own parkland and containing a wonderful collection of Old Master paintings. No wonder that Londoners flock to the Heath when the sun comes out!"
- Prof O'Boyle

* Photo by M.J.S., used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Picnic locations - Ric

Question of the week: Can you recommend a picnic location?

"Horniman Museum Park, Dulwich. The anthropological museum's collection of curiosities is definitely worth a visit, but for a picnic, nowhere in south London can match this great location for a picnic. The 16-acre gardens have wonderfully-manicured flowerbeds and lawns as well as a lovely conservatory, while the bandstand is a magnificent spot for a little alfresco dining."
- Ric

* Photo by Yersinia, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Picnic locations - Kris

Question of the week: Can you recommend a picnic location?

"Not meaning to sound like a broken record, but I think that St. James's Park is beautiful. And there is enough to look at while you eat to distract you (if you need distracting). Eat near the water and watch the birds, check out the people who go past (it's near famous high end shopping streets, and the foreign office, so the variety of visitors is really fun and interesting). Also, you can see the London Eye from the park, which is pretty neat.

Also, there is a pretty good selection of shops and restaurants around and about to choose from for the supplies.

Have fun!"
- Kris

* Photo by Simon_And_You, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London museums - Catherine

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite London museum?

"You can stop by this little museum to take an art class, to attend an architectural workshop, or just to see how an eccentric rich guy spent his money in the early nineteenth century. Whatever your motivation, do stop by the Sir John Soane Museum - and instantly understand why an Act of Parliament was passed in Soane’s own lifetime to preserve his house as a museum.

His collection of architectural drawings (approximately 30,000 of them!), the paintings on his wall, and the sculptures decorating every surface area of the building would seem reason enough to visit Soane’s house. But descending into what he called The Crypt, you will find the sarcophagus of Pharaoh Seti I, which was passed up by the British Museum in 1824 as too expensive to purchase.

If visiting The Crypt and hearing the story behind Soane’s disinherited sons as well as his imaginary monk friend doesn’t seem adventurous enough, try it by candlelight! The wait can be well over an hour for this special once-a-month occasion, but an extremely eerie atmosphere is set for your visit. That being said, I had to go back by daylight to fully appreciate all of the obscured candlelit shadows – so whatever time you can make it out, Sir John Soane’s museum is worth a look around.

Sir John Soane's Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10-5pm when admission is free. There is a Museum tour each Saturday at 11.00am; tickets are on sale from 10.30am and cost £5."- Catherine

* Photo by Philip John Jones, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London museums - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite museum to recommend?

"The V&A and the British Museum are my two favourite big museums, but there are so many fantastic small museums as well...

It's a tough pick, but if you have any interest in medical history, or life in the 19th century, consider a trip to the Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret. It's pretty much what it says on the tin - just imagine the operating theatre being built into the roof of a church, and cram it full of interesting medical curiosities.

It's an interesting collection, but it really pays to either time your visit for one of their weekly tours, or, better yet, round up nine of your friends and arrange for a private tour - both times I've been part of a group, the guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and being able to discuss the displays with someone who knows and loves the collection made the whole thing so much richer.

(If medical history is your thing check out the Wellcome Collection, the Royal College of Surgeons, and, well, this whole list)."- Miss Alice

* Photo by n0wak, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London museums - Ric

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite museum to recommend?

"The V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green in the East End of London is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum (the "V&A"), which is the United Kingdom's national museum of applied arts. The site has hosted a museum since 1872.

The mission of the museum is "To enable everyone, especially the young, to explore and enjoy the designed world, in particular objects made for and made by children." It has extensive collections of toys, childhood equipment and costumes, and stages a programme of temporary exhibitions. It is free and open between 1000 and 1745 daily.

Definitely an under-explored part of London, with a rich history."- Ric

* Photo by kotomigd, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London museums - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite museum to recommend?

"I know that everyone knows about the British Museum, but it's good to be reminded about just how fantastic it is. In it you can find something from every age of humanity, from earliest stone tools to modern Hmong dress and art, and that's just in one room.

As it's on your way between the London Centre and the flats, take the opportunity to drop in and look at something you know nothing about.

You might not like all of what you see, but you may find yourself fascinated by things you never knew existed."- Kris

(P.S. from Miss Alice - check out their History of the World in 100 Objects series - the short radio/audio pieces are fascinating, the more so when you go and see the actual objects as well.)

* Photo by gGViciano, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London in verse - Catherine

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite London poem or nursery rhyme?

"While keeping with the topic of Nursery Rhymes, this one is not so much my favourite as something that terrified me when I heard it as a child. Imagine London Bridge falling down! I remember looking up the additional verses as reassurance that this was just a story to scare kids going through tunnels and overpasses, only to have my fears confirmed that the bridge was not always as sturdy as it seemed.

Now this rhyme haunts me in a whole new way ... because of Fergie (Black Eyed Peas, not the Duchess of York!) Is her song an homage to the popular nursery rhyme, or a bastardization of the cultural image? Whatever you think, I bet more of you have heard her lyrics (Oh Snap!) than have heard anything past the first “My Fair Lady” in the nursery rhyme.

The following verses are worth looking at, covering the history of the bridge from clay to brick to metal... even if it will make you think twice about going under the next bridge you come across!"
- Catherine

* Photo by andrew j w , used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Excited about the World Cup? - Ric

Then you might be interested in this email that I just received:

"We thought that you might be interested to know that tickets are now available for a brand new series to follow each World Cup Match! As with all of our shows, the tickets are FREE!

JAMES CORDEN'S WORLD CUP LIVE
The biggest show on earth just got bigger! James Corden presents his unique take on the World Cup along with some big name celebrity guests, football legends and fantastic regulars on his brand new ITV show James Corden’s World Cup Live.

This will be the hottest ticket in town; the best place in the country to watch the World Cup - and you could be there!

James Corden’s World Cup Live is an entertainment show that combines comedy, glamour, sport, music and all the colour of the tournament to create the ultimate celebration of the World Cup.

James wants to create a month-long party through an incredibly vibrant, energetic and atmospheric studio. As well as being a live studio show, we will interact with our viewers at home and the studio audience. This show isn’t just for football fans; it’s got something for everybody. Bring on the World Cup!

Some episodes will take place at The ITV London Studios, and some at BBC TV Centre. If you'd like to join James, then apply now!

Booking is now open and you may apply via our website at http://www.sroaudiences.com

The minimum age for attendance at this show is 18. We shall notify successful applicants as quickly as possible by email with their eticket. Do apply as quickly as possible. We may not be able to issue tickets to everyone who applies. All tickets are issued free of charge and are strictly non-transferable.

You may also apply for tickets online where you'll also find details of all the shows for which we are booking. You may also add yourself to the mailing list for upcoming shows. Tickets for all of our shows are FREE. To see all the other shows for which we are currently booking, please visit our website at http://www.sroaudiences.com"

- Ric

London in verse - Ric

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite London poem or nursery rhyme?

""N.W.2 : Spring"

The poets never lied when they praised
Spring in England.
Even in this neat suburb
You can feel there's something to
their pastorals.
Something gentle, broadly nostalgic, is stirring On the well-aired pavements.
Indrawn brick
Sighs, and you notice the sudden sharpness Of things growing.
The sun lightens
The significance of what the houses
Are steeped in,
brightens out
Their winter brooding.
Early May
Touches also the cold diasporas
That England hardly mentions.

A.C.Jacobs (1927-1994)"

- Ric

* Photo by meophamman, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London in verse - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite London poem or nursery rhyme?

"Prof O'Boyle beat me to the Milne, so I shan't say 'Milne's Changing the Guards', and, instead, go for John Gay's Trivia: Or, the Art of Walking the Streets of London (1716).

It's an epic effusion on the subject of walking London's streets by day and night, in all weathers. Nigh on 200 years later, walking is still the best way to enjoy London, I think. (Good shoes and the right coat are important yet!)

Here's a taste:

"Nor do less certain Signs the Town advise,
Of milder Weather, and serener Skies.
The Ladies gayly dress’d, the Mall adorn
With various Dyes, and paint the sunny Morn;
The wanton Fawns with frisking Pleasure range,
And chirping Sparrows greet the welcome Change:
Not that their Minds with greater Skill are fraught,
Endu’d by Instinct, or by Reason taught,
The Seasons operate on every Breast;
’Tis hence that Fawns are brisk, and Ladies drest.
When on his Box the nodding Coachman snores,
And dreams of fancy’d Fares; when Tavern Doors
The Chairmen idly croud; then ne’er refuse
To trust thy busie Steps in thinner shoes.

But when the swinging Signs your Ears offend
With creaking Noise, then rainy Floods impend;
Soon shall the Kennels swell with rapid Streams,
And rush in muddy Torrents to the Thames.
The Bookseller, whose Shop’s an open Square,
Foresees the Tempest, and with early Care
Of Learning strips the Rails; the rowing Crew
To tempt a Fare, cloath all their Tilts in Blue:
On Hosiers Poles depending Stockings ty’d,
Flag with the slacken’d Gale, from side to side;
Church-Monuments foretell the changing Air;"

- Miss Alice

* Photo by ogoco, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London in verse - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite London poem or nursery rhyme?

"Okay, you wanted rhyme, you get rhyme... The Canterbury Tales

The name is deceptive - the Canterbury tales do not take place in Canterbury, but on the road between Southwark and Canterbury. The frame story is that of pilgrims travelling to Thomas Becket's shrine, and the stories they tell to keep themselves entertained along the way. Chaucer's poem is a wonderful read, either in the original Middle English (for the rhyme) or in a good translation (for the stories).

There are a number of references to London throughout the poem, but it starts as soon as line 19. Here's a bit to get you started. (GP stands for General Prologue, the numbers are line numbers.)

GP 19 Bifil that in that seson on a day,
GP 20 In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay
GP 21 Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage
GP 22 To Caunterbury with ful devout corage,
GP 23 At nyght was come into that hostelrye
GP 24 Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye
GP 25 Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle
GP 26 In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle,
GP 27 That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.
GP 28 The chambres and the stables weren wyde,
GP 29 And wel we weren esed atte beste.
GP 30 And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste,
GP 31 So hadde I spoken with hem everichon
GP 32 That I was of hir felaweshipe anon,
GP 33 And made forward erly for to ryse,
GP 34 To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse.

One day in that season, as I was waiting at the Tabard Inn at Southwark, about to make my pilgrimage with devout heart to Canterbury, it happened that there came at night to that inn a company of twenty-nine various people, who by chance had joined together in fellowship. All were pilgrims, riding to Canterbury. The chambers and the stables were spacious, and we were lodged well. But in brief, when the sun had gone to rest, I had spoken with every one of them and was soon a part of their company, and agreed to rise early to take our way to where I have told you.

Sorry about the middle English. Both the text and the translation are courtesy of E Chaucer"
- Kris

* Lydgate and Pilgrims to Canterbury. Troy Book; Siege of Thebes, John Lydgate) Eng. 15th century. MS Royal 18D II f148r. British Library Photo by jimforest, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.