Xmas at Brunswick

Xmas lights at the Brunswick Centre.
I know you really want me to wait until December before doing any more Xmassy pictures but just sneaking one in.
I am away for a few days in the South of France. While I'm gone I will treat you to more of the Lord Mayor's parade.

Oxford St Xmas Markets

Opposite Selfridges in Oxford St has been a big empty site. A building was demolished some time ago and nothing has gone into the space.
I prefer having the space and have been hoping for a park rather than another high rise building.

As of last Friday until 3 January it will be a Christmas market with a German feel to it. Little wooden chalets selling everything from trinkets, clothing, Xmas decorations, to gluhwein and bratwurst.

Roll - On Beethoven

Very few people notice as a double bass takes a stroll down Oxford St.

Battersea Park Boating Lake

One of the newest of London's great parks. Battersea Park was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1858. A place for the ever expanding population to chill-out. Here you could fight your duels, play sports hold markets or take the family for a breathe of fresh air.

During the war much of the park became allotments, allowing people to feed themselves. Since the 1980's with the aid of government grants the park has gradually been brought back to it's Victorian grandeur.

Ralph

Ralph doesn't muck around with little sticks or balls, no he's out to be noticed and please his dad. Just don't get in his way, he hasn't quite got to grips with how wide this thing is.

Men at Work #14

Time to trim the trees. It always looks so incredibly dangerous high in the branches with a chain saw.

Your Carriage Awaits Sir

As promised here is more from the Lord Mayor's parade last weekend.
The newly elected Lord Mayor is swearing his allegiance to the Queen before the Lord Chief Justice before popping back in his carriage back to Mansion House.

The first few hundred years the Lord Mayor would have ridden his horse here. That was until in 1711 Sir Gilbert Heathcote broke his leg. So a coach and horses was hired for the next couple of years, until 1757 when the golden gilded coach you see here was commissioned.

If you missed the parade you can still get to see this beautiful ornate carriage in the Museum of London

Reindeer in Covent Garden

Are you ready for Xmas lights yet?
There are lots around the city. Nearly everyday now a new street turns on their lights. Xmas markets also start popping up from this weekend.

Bird's Eye View

A giant pigeon viewing passersby in Soho.

Ghost Forest

Angela Palmer's installation of giant tree stumps in Trafalgar square is to highlight the issues of deforestation.
After a week they will move to Copenhagen in time for the UN Climate change summit.

The Parade Must Go On

Sunday was the Lord Mayor's Parade. Each year the newly elected Lord Mayor's procession makes its way through the streets of the city to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the new Lord Mayor pledges allegiance to the crown. Only once in 800 years has the parade been cancelled.
Despite the heavy rain and gusting wind it was a spectacular parade. I will bring you more pictures over the next couple of weeks. It really was worth being drenched and cold.

Mid Month Subway - Blackfriars

Black Friars station opened in 1870. One of the busiest, it has overground trains, the Thames link, and the tube all running through it. Closed for 3 years for major work on the Thames Link -the planned reopening is late 2011.
The pedestrian subway is also being dollied up. When it is finished it will be the first station to span the Thames and you will be able to pop up from the underground either side of the river. You'll miss the wonderful river views going this way, but the bonus is that you won't get wet (or should that be saturated!) on a day like yesterday.

However, the rain didn't deter the Morris Dancers from entertaining us (does anything?) and throwing the St John's Ambulance woman into the air as part of their ritual in front of the station.

Mid-month subway is also shared by:
Peter of Paris

Dee's Diner

Discovered this wee gem the other day. The 4th floor of Debenhams department store. Complete with wurlizter juke box playing Elvis!

Pop-Up Stores

Pop-up stores , guerilla restaurants, they are the new thing. Existing from an hour to a few weeks, they can appear in derilict warehouses or in the best streets.

The marmite store, do you know about marmite? A peculiar black sandwich spread made from a yeast extract that is a by-product of beer brewing.
For children of English, South African or New Zealand background this is as iconic as Noddy, dinky toys or buzzy bees.
As they say you either love it or hate it.
Their pop-up store in Regent St will exist a few weeks (until the end of the year).

The Tower

Ok, so you all think it is too early for Xmas lights. Then I will save them until next week. Perhaps a view of the Tower of London across the Thames.

Temperatures are dropping. It's getting dark earlier. I'm off to take some new pictures for you before it gets too dark.