Grandma P's Ramblings Through Life

Looking back to our London trip this evening.
So many photos!
I have picked out my favourites to share.

The first picture was taken underground.

I called it "Reading by the River"

It was taken on a station platform, with  a huge poster for the Maritime Museum on the opposite wall.

























We began our walk at The Angel, Islington.
Islington is smart - an expensive place to live.
The terraces are most attractive.
The terraces tend to form a border to some small gardens - lovely to walk through and lovely to sit and relax in.





















The Regents Canal flows through Islington - under it for over half a mile, through the Islington Tunnel.
The houses beside the canal are lovely.














See the  black cat on the purple boat.





































The tow path is popular for walking and cycling. It is a quick way for cyclists to get around, not impeded by traffic. We saw that in this area the so called "Boris" bikes were well used.








Bill took this picture.



















We both like to photograph windows. The next one, with the dog, is Bill's.























Orange beetle, blue door.


















We walked through streets for a while. The character of the streets changed a little as we reached the area around Hoxton. Old warehousing are now dwarfed by modern blocks of flats - some now decaying.


But Hoxton is far from gloomy.
There is poverty and strife in the east end, but the majority of people are caring and friendly.










Upstairs balcony and laundry.











Obviously not market day in Hoxton.
We found a cafe and had some lunch.
It was an interesting place to watch people.
There had been a funeral of somebody that a few people knew - the funeral booklet was passed around.
A woman began to read out loud...
"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I did not die, I do not sleep"
You probably know this poem.

One of the people who knew the young deceased woman fitted the caricature of what the tabloid press might describe as a typical Hoxton resident - "Scarface of Hoxton".
Except that this person was a fairly old woman.


She must have had a dreadful accident - very recently.
There are sill stitches over the wounds.
She sat at her table alongside another quite elderly woman.....they spoke not a word to each other.











This woman wasn't looking very lively either.
She must have been grateful for a bench to sit and ease her aching legs, in the sunshine.

















I don't think that either of the men walking by this wall of posters would interested in any of the events advertised there.











I called this "Living with Death in the Flats"
Most of the flats are boarded up, ready for demolition.....but a few remain lived in.













I wonder how long the bright modern flats will remain habitable.
I guess these are the slums of tomorrow.

















We were glad to return to the towpath.


At first the canal wound through an urban landscape.




















But soon it seemed almost rural.
Moorhens squabbled on the water, wild flowers were growing by the tow path.
The east end seemed like a lovely place to live.









































Another of Bill's pictures.


This is a reflection of the bridge in the rippling water of the canal.



















What a lovely place to go for a bike ride....or maybe he was just cycling home from work.

















Cobweb on the bridge over the Hertfordshire Canal, with lock gate beyond.


















We walked across the huge Victoria Park. The park is lovely and in Tower Hamlets - a part of London which has a poor reputation.
This is Bill's picture of the fountain in the park.



















It was at this point that we thought, gladly, that were almost at The Olympic park.
But not so!
The Greenway had been shut (for the massive security initiatives going into place round The Olympic Park).
We had to continue walking  a long way round.
Felt weary!

The viewing tube is close by Pudding Mill Lane Station.
It closed only a few days after our visit. We were a bit disappointed with the both the views and the facilities.


Here I am at the viewing tube.














We caught the train to go to the next stop, Stratford.
Goodness, country bumpkin me had no idea that this place existed.
The station is huge and modern and interesting and leads straight into an amazing modern shopping complex.
The architecture is so pleasing, with wonderful shapes and glass and reflections.


We are here inside the station for the underground and the DLR - looking towards the large mainline terminus.

I am just fascinated by reflections at the moment - even simple ones like this.














Part of the John Lewis store building.
John Lewis is a big sponsor of The Olympic Games.


















In the John Lewis restaurant.
I wonder what will become of the Olympic Ring windows.


















I will always smile - but I think I look as weary as I felt.
We had walked about 9 miles.
























From the John Lewis viewing gallery.


The Orbit.

The largest sculpture in the country - with 2 viewing platforms.
It is over 100 yards high.
It had been officially opened just the day we were there - by Boris, of course.













Back to the shapes and reflections.




















If I were the sort of person who enjoyed shopping, then Stratford would be a good place for me.
It is quite stimulating and exciting.
































The bridge linking the shopping centre and the station. More reflections.
That's Ashley in red.

Bill and I took about 200 photographs between us. It was hard not to share all of them!