Wishing everyone good health and safe travelling today, and all best for the New Year!
24 December 2009
21 December 2009
Christmas Balls and Bike Horns
From Hackney's Lock 7 bike shop and cafe - it's a cyclist's dream - a big kitchen with a bike repair workshop, good drinks and food and warm sunshine through large windows to warm up on a cold day!
19 December 2009
Holiday Cheer in London Fields
LCC Hackney cyclists served up mulled wine, delicious biscuits and minced pies last night in the heart of London Fields. Cyclists are a hardy bunch - the temp was 0 C with a wind chill. Hackney has seen the largest growth in cycling over the past few years of any London borough.
21 November 2009
16 November 2009
Rainy Days for Royal Mail
Poor industrial relations have already degraded the quality of Universal Service. First class UK post is now taking three to seven days or more to arrive; I got a birthday card from my sister recently that took one month via air mail from the USA. Up until a year ago, that card would have arrived within 5 to 7 days.
Failing to address fundamental efficiency issues now and the continuing impact of electronic commmunications will make the difficult decisions Government is facing even more difficult following the general election. Will the iconic pillar box become a listed artifact of a bygone era?
Mordernise or decline - Hooper Report
www.berr.gov.uk/files/file49389.pdf
The report addressed modernisation in two phases - first, transformation, changing culture and breaking down resistance to change, and, second, diversification, finding new sources of revenue. This is a massive management challenge on the scale of modernising the telecomms trunk network by BT in the 1980s.
Failing to address fundamental efficiency issues now and the continuing impact of electronic commmunications will make the difficult decisions Government is facing even more difficult following the general election. Will the iconic pillar box become a listed artifact of a bygone era?
Mordernise or decline - Hooper Report
www.berr.gov.uk/files/file49389.pdf
The report addressed modernisation in two phases - first, transformation, changing culture and breaking down resistance to change, and, second, diversification, finding new sources of revenue. This is a massive management challenge on the scale of modernising the telecomms trunk network by BT in the 1980s.
07 November 2009
Rainy Day City
London's City on a rainy Sunday from the front of a double-decker bus (141). Camera phone set on macro to focus on windscreen raindrops.
11 October 2009
05 September 2009
Priority Crossing
Here's a chance for Hackney to score another first. Why not make this the UK's first priority crossing for bicycles. Move the give way signs to the roadway and install speed humps on each side of the crossing. This is a busy cycle route; let's do it!
26 August 2009
Albert Dock - Liverpool
From a recent business trip to Liverpool. This is the view from the bar / restaurant at the Holiday Inn Express - north towards the Royal Liver building. The massive buildings are a testament to robust construction quality; they are now protected by law as Grade 1 listed properties. The Tate Liverpool museum is at the far end of the block on the left side of the water.
11 August 2009
Church of the Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos Greece
The church is comprised of five separate chapels linked together in the Cycladic style. The oldest parts are from the Byzantine era.
03 August 2009
29 July 2009
28 July 2009
Parthenon
The queen of all classical architecture - a wonder to behold up close. A classical ending to a perfect day in Athens!
22 June 2009
Sunset on the Lee Navigation
Swans and chicks on the Lee Navigation at sunset. Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England
05 June 2009
Hope
Sunlight was the star last Sunday morning in London's Abney Park Cemetery, shining through one of the largest horse chestnut trees I've seen. I caught a glimpse of the sun through the crown and wondered how digital capture would work - I used a full range of exposure compensation on my Nikon D40 - this frame is at +2/3 EV.
02 May 2009
Slow Down London Photo Exhibit
Show at Foyles Cafe, Charing Cross Rd London sponsored by the Londonist and Slow Down London.
http://slowdownlondon.co.uk/gallery/
My entry 'Taste and Chat' second from left, top row
www.flickr.com/photos/d1v1d/3315118693/
http://slowdownlondon.co.uk/gallery/
My entry 'Taste and Chat' second from left, top row
www.flickr.com/photos/d1v1d/3315118693/
18 April 2009
Roses in Regent's Park
Healthy foliage in the Rose Garden in the Regent's Park Inner Circle. Bountiful blooms guaranteed by the end of May!
16 March 2009
After Midnight
Back at home after a week's stay at London Bridge Hospital. This was the view of London Bridge from my window on a sleepless night. Had lumbar fusion surgery. Walking again but still very painful. See link below,
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/spinal-fusion/lumbar-spinal-fusion-surgery
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/spinal-fusion/lumbar-spinal-fusion-surgery
28 February 2009
La Tua Pasta, Borough Market
My favourite pasta at Borough Market, London taken on 21 February 2009. Used my not-so-portable Mamiya C330S Twin Lens Reflex camera (aka the Lee Miller camera) and Kodak TX 400 film for this. There is nothing automatic about this camera - focusing is especially challenging because of the limited depth of field with the available lighting.
You can see the range of products available at:
http://www.latuapasta.com
You can see the range of products available at:
http://www.latuapasta.com
27 February 2009
Clerkenwell in Bloom
Aah - the magic of spring - first warm sunny day in ages. This taken from ground level facing the afternoon sun in a small garden near Farringdon Station, Clerkenwell.
23 February 2009
What is Life?
Ghost Bike at Old St. / St. John St. junction in Clerkenwell - scene of a number of serious / fatal accidents involving bicycles
I am thinking of the George Harrison song, 'What is Life?'
www.last.fm/music/George+Harrison/_/What+Is+Life
I am thinking of the George Harrison song, 'What is Life?'
www.last.fm/music/George+Harrison/_/What+Is+Life
02 February 2009
Snow Drifts in Regent's Park
OK - so time for a bit of Tom foolery. Look closely to see the seams in this British Land photo applied to a temporary wall in Regent's Place. The snow drifted up against the wall but created a cinema-like matte effect.
31 January 2009
Early Gym Day
Up at 5:15 on Thursday - no delays on bus or tube but the facial lines speak to the early hour.
21 January 2009
The Inaugural Poem - by Elizabeth Alexander
Wonderful, spirited writing - see link at:
http://london.usembassy.gov/obama004.html
http://london.usembassy.gov/obama004.html
10 January 2009
Regent's Canal - Icy Morning
Rode on Regent's Canal yesterday from Broadway Market, Hackney to Islington - first time in a long while. No YOBs but lots of ice. Cyclists and peds much more courteous now about slowing down and giving way - bell tings in abundance as well. Where are the waterfowl? Too cold to 'duck' down.
08 January 2009
Accident Hotspot - Northchurch Rd at Southgate Rd
Van failed to give way - in spite of clear road markings and sign. My lights were on and I was wearing my hi-viz vest. Luckily only minor damage but could have been worse. I suspect there was something else distracting the driver - a mobile phone?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)