Commuter Envy

Had a meeting in Greenwhich last week and was dreading the drudge from Chiswick so much that I was moaning about it loudly in the office. Someone suggested Thames Clippers and a journey of dispair became one of absolute joy.


They run regular boats from Putney through to Royal Arsenal at peak times and weekends. I was whisked past all of London's finest sites in absolute comfort.

I have rarely enjoyed a journey more, those who get to travel this way every day have a truly wonderful commute. The view from the top of Greenwhich park wasn't bad either...

Twisting My Mellons

Bit of a lifetimes ambition filled last Thursday night, I got to see the Happy Mondays play live in all their glory.


T-Mobile sponsored the mighty Great Escape Festival - we were lucky enough to design the identity and look after the T-Mobile branding across the event - including a wonderfully kitsch Beach Hut that acted as the ticket office.


As part of the festival the Mondays played a Street Gig to 300 lucky punters on the end of Brighton Pier.

Considering the life they've been living for the last couple of decades they were surprisingly together (all be it with a little bit of help from an autocue to get the words right). All the classsics were present and correct and some great new tunes got an airing - Shauns voices still powerfully poetic and Bez "having it" on vibes as always.


Great night had by all, can't believe this was work...

Young Man

Well we got one..


I am now the proud tennant of half an allotment (16b). Not the one written about below with the luxury shed but a slightly smaller plot with what can only be described as a very un luxury shed.


On Sunday, my green fingered partner in crime and I spent our first day toiling the soil. It was wonderful on many levels, we are throwing ourselves headfirst into the allotment life style, highlights as follows...

1 - We listened to Test Match special on long wave Radio 4
2 - We met several of neighbours, all of whom were more than happy to offer advice, tips and general banter - we pretty much ignored it all and ploughed on
3 - We shared a pack of Werthers Originals during our tea break

Other highlights include the fact that because all the other tenants are of a certain age we get refered to as "young men", something that hasen't happened to either of us for a while.


In all we managed to dig and weed about half of our patch. Next steps are to build the raised beds and then get planting.

We have a clearly defined mission for year one - to grow our own Christmas lunch, we're even investigating how much space a turkey needs to grow. I'll keep you posted.

Steaming

Am fascinated by this...

As always with "stuff" of this nature I'm in awe of the time, dedication and innovation put into something without any obvious purpose.



Full spec and more photos here.

Via the ever eclectic vi-R-us

Skyline Sculpture

Antony Gornley has managed to get permission to install thirty sculptures of himself perched on rooftops across London. Each likeness faces his exhibiton at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank.


To my mind they are magnificent additions to the London skyline and visible from a surprising distance. I spotted a couple while travelling along the Embankment on Sunday afternoon and was wowed by thier pose and elegance.

I had a powerful urge to go and stand alongside them, as though they had some pied-piper type power drawing me towards them (though this may well have had something to do with the couple of sherries I had enjoyed at the magnificent El Faro in Limehouse).

I think it's wonderful that this can happen accross so many sites in London as does Mr Gormley...

"it's a tribute to everybody that I've been allowed to get away with it. I feel so grateful to all the people who said, 'Why not?' That attitude - 'Let's do it' — seems to be possible in Britain at the moment"

You can see them for yourself at the following locations…

80 The Strand,
Arundel Great Court,
Brettenham House,
Bush House,
The Howard Hotel,
Thistle Hotel,
Waterloo Bridge (Westminster side)
Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward at the Southbank Centre,
Southbank Centre Square,
Union Jack Club,
White House Apartments at the Shell Centre,
Waterloo Bridge (Lambeth side),
The National Theatre,
King's College London - Franklin-Wilkins Building and the Waterloo Bridge Annexe,
The London Television Centre
United Grand Lodge of England