2012 London Olympics Precinct - Street Circuit Original Concept

The Heron Tower

The view from the Duck and Waffle on the 40th Floor of the Heron Tower looking south towards the Shard. 

Looking east along the Thames with the Gerkin to the right.

Looking north. The alfresco dinning experience provides breath taking views but is cold and windy even on a sunny September afternoon.

Panoramic view East to West
 

AA Gill's London

The perfect visitors guide to London as written by A.A.Gill -"My London, and Welcome to It", New York Times, 21 April 2012

He sensibly prepares visitors not to expect to see “stiff-lipped men in bowler hats and cheeky cockneys with their thumbs in their waistcoats and fish on their heads”.

Street piano

A solitary business man, briefcase by his side, playing Radiohead's 'Creep' on a ‘Street Piano’ in St Pancras station. 

Don’t you just love living in London

Masion House

I visited Mansion House as part of Open House London 2012. My first choices were the Bank of England or the Lloyds Building but these were so popular, with queues going way around the block that I settled for the Lord Mayor of London’s residence.

Mansion House was built in 1739-52 and was designed in the Palladian style by architect George Dance the Elder. It is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, currently Alderman David Wootton, and is not to be confused with the position of Mayor of London, which is held by Boris Johnson. I’m sure Boris would like to live in Mansion House but thankfully that can wait until he has cashed in on his popularity with the British public, won the Eurovision song contest and can afford to buy something more opulent.

The Lord Mayor is leader of the City of London, a member of the Privy Council and within the City the holder of rank second only to the Queen (ahead of Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family). The post dates back to 1189 and King John granted a charter in 1215 permitting elections to choose the next mayor. Dick Whittington is London’s most famous Mayor. Incorrectly thought to be penniless Mayor Whittington died childless leaving all his wealth to the Corporation of London from which the City is still benefitting to this day.

The Lord Mayor is elected annually by the Court of Alderman and must first have served as Sheriff. Needless to say only the affluent need apply.

Mansion House is interesting in a faded, bygone lavishness sort of way. All the decoration, pictures state rooms and chandeliers are designed to impress men wearing powdered wigs, embroidered waistcoats and breeches rather than unimpressionable money men from emerging economies.

On the Friday preceding the second Saturday in November the new Lord Mayor is admitted to office. The ‘Silent Ceremony’ is performed when the old Mayor hands over the sword and mace of office to the new Mayor without a word being spoken. This job would never suit Boris.

Camden Lock

Camden Lock, where you can get a piercing, a tattoo, or even a piercing on your tattoo. The shops are strictly for the tourists and Goth’s but make the place look suitably bizarre. It's London's fourth most popular visitor attraction with over 100,000 visitors each weekend. That's a lot of Goth's.

The lock at Camden.

A stencil of the Queen of Camden.

Bob Dylan - "Subterranean Homesick Blues"

Bob Dylan filming "Subterranean Homesick Blues" at the junction of Savoy Hill Road and Savoy Steps at the back of the Savoy Hotel.