The Vikings are in Town

No not a stag do, nor football supporters, this IS the Swedish team.  Now I have to confess I didn't get details of the game they are here to play.  Football fans please fill in the blanks.

Jazz at the Station

The third "play me I'm yours"piano, a jazz band (the Ned Bennett Jazz quartet) and a book promotion all combined, resulted in a load of fun at St Pancras Station for commuters on their way home.

The "play me I'm yours"  pianos are an artwork that began in 2008 and now is found in major cities around the world.  Pianos are placed in train stations, parks, in the streets and other public spaces.  In London we see them spring up all over the city in the summer months. Many are painted by other artists.  Some days I think the city is crammed full of talented musicians when we hear these  pianos being played by passersby.

Muswell Hill

So much happens in central London getting to those outer zones doesn't happen very often.  So time to explore a little further out. Muswell Hill is five and half miles north of central London in the borough of Haringey.  Earliest records date back to the 12th century when the Bishop of London who owned the land allowed an order of nuns to build their chapel on the site.

The name Muswell originates from a natural spring, the "Mossey Well" that supposedly miraculously cured the King of Scotland after he drank the water.

The hazy view of London in the distance makes it feel even further away. It would have been very pretty when all farm land and trees 100's of years ago.

Jones Bros

The entrance to Jones Bros, closed now but still hints that once this was a grand department store.  William Jones a draper's apprentice arrived in London in 1867.  He and his brother eventually opened a small store on Holloway Road in Camden.  Within 30 years the brothers had expanded to include several workshops, warehouses, stabling for 50 horses and accommodation above the store for his workers.

These days part of the building houses a Waitrose supermarket.

Clapton Pond

A small tranquil spot I discovered at the end of the number 43 bus route.  What is the history of Clapton Pond?  Let'a start with the name.  It means farm on the hill.  In old English "clop" means lump or hill and "ton" means farm.

Many centuries ago this (then) rural farming area was owned by the Bishops and was very posh.  Tenant farmers grew hay and food for the city of London.  During the 18th century it became a very desirable area for rich merchants to build their country houses.

Industrialisation and the railway with a new stop at Clapton saw a boom in housing and new suburbs sprang up all around.

By the early 20th century, war and a downturn in the economy changed the area completely.  It looks as if some of the 18th century houses are getting a bit of a makeover at present.  And with it a new history for the area begins. 

Magic

Just the place to load up with all your magic tricks. Oh and even a pigeon hanging about incase you need an extra for that bird in the scarf trick.

Nifty Gadget

Checking the traffic behind you can be a bit tricky for a cyclist, especially if you have youngsters on board.  A rear vision mirror is just what you need.

Pretty nifty huh?

Fun at the Fair

Who could resist an invitation to the fair and with a pocket full of pennies thrown in.  (Thanks bgo) The Carters steam fair lets you step back in time to the way the fun fair was in Victorian times.  The penny arcade, the rides and games are all beautifully hand painted and offer good old fashioned thrills.

Try your luck on the slot machines.

Feel the tension mounting trying to control that ball around the barriers.

Then just have fun on the dodgems.

Impress passersby with your strength.

Deelooded

Who or what is deelooded?  Me some mornings, no it seems deelooded is a DJ favoured in the gay clubs.  I guess the clue should have been this scene is in Soho.

Note for City Daily Photographers:
Julie has not been able to work on the CDP portal as she has been very ill.  Peter from Sunshine Coast Daily Photo is stepping in for the moment but is only communicating via facebook at present. He is initiating a theme day for September which will be "pink"

Pretty at the Workplace

Pretty hanging baskets of flowers next to a worksite make all the difference don't you think?

Ye Old Coffee House

London is unique in offering places that can give you a sense of stepping back in time.  Ye Old Coffee House in Soho is a pub that gives you that sense of stepping back a few decades.  You might even believe the war hasn't finished given all the memorabilia adorning the walls.

Metropolitan Line

How do you like the new big walk through carriages on the Metropolitan line? Me I love them. Let's hope all the rest of the lines will get nice new carriages soon.

Afghan Summer Festival

I ventured out to South Harrow to participate in the Afghan community summer festival.
It is always fun to see what activities are unique or special to different communities.  Without a doubt kite flying is the most popular activity.

First is the serious business of selecting the right kite. No matter if you are big boys or

little boys.

And not forgetting the girls.

Then the pure joy of having your kite fly higher than anyone else's.

Chess in the Park

Chess in the park and if the bishops go missing there is always a handy traffic cone.

Floral Bike Lane

A bike lane that white van man can't enter! What a great idea.  We need more of these in London. Well done Camden Council.

St Pancras Public Baths

A grand Victorian building in Camden, originally public baths and public hall.  A further indication to life at that time is seen via the two separate entrances, "mens first class entrance and mens second class entrance".  

3-2

The afternoon confidence of the kilts was lost to the final score of England 3 Scotland 2.

Koko and the Goons

Prince Charles is one of the biggest fans of the Goons and their unique humour ever since he was a boy.  Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe played the very last Goon show here at Koko Theatre in Camden in 1972.

A Little bit of Latino

Taking in the music at the Latino Festival at the Calthorpe Project (a community garden) in Kings Cross on the weekend.

Roundhouse Beach

It's hot and you want to go to the beach and you live in London.  No problem we custom make beaches here.  On the terrace of the roundhouse, in Camden, add 150 tonnes of sand, deck chairs, umbrellas, beach huts and food and drink - wallah instant beach.

Good to be Back

Oh it is good to be back in London.

Blue Skies

Heading home.  Flying over the mountain.

A Year Long Birthday

It is a pretty impressive milestone, 150 years the London tube has been running.  And celebrations have continued throughout the year.  This sign at St Pancras is one of the latest markers. We've had posters, poems and pictures.  Films, buskers and books.  I'll keep you posted on others as I catch a glimpse of them.

The Strand

In London this is an A road, not what you'd expect in America I'll bet. However the Strand has been an  important route since Roman times and the main road between the City of London and the Palace of Westminster since medievial times.  It has inspired, songs, books and films.  Think Jethro Tull in requiem, Virginia Woolf in Mrs Dalloway and C S Lewis in Chronicles of Narnia for starters.

Allotment Week

It's national allotment week.  If you don't already have a plot somewhere now's a perfect time to start, with plenty of green fingers spreading the word and having a jolly good time and inviting you to join them.  Check out the Allotments week website for more details.

Sugar Dog

A sugar spun necklace around the neck of a sugar dog.  A tribute to the man who became famous for molecular cuisine, Ferran Adria.  Is it art or food? An exhibition the art of food a look at the chef, his team and the restaurant El Bulli is on at Somerset House until 29 September.

Hackney Marsh

Once a true marsh but drained and turned into usable land in medieval times.  Then a dumping ground for rubble from WWII.  Now a lovely park alongside the Lea River. 

This One Dad

He's picked out the car he thinks dad should buy when he wins the lotto.

Children and Drunks

An interesting shop window, someone having a bad day maybe?

Which Movie?

It's driving me crazy which movie is this from? Not sure how they got to be floating under the water lilies but maybe a good start for the sequel.

Theme Day - Street Lights

Not strictly streetlights, but so pretty they ought to be included in this months Daily City Photo Communities monthly theme of "street lights".  The Royal Arcade is one of the oldest in London and as yet still undiscovered by tourists.  The chocolatier to the queen is just one of the specialist shops you'll find as you stroll through.