One rainy night in central London

After work last night I decided to eschew drinks after work and go for a stroll into a new bit of London. I work near St Paul's, which is just across the Thames from the South Bank where you can find the (New) Globe Theatre (remember Shakespeare in Love?), Tate Modern, the Tower and London Bridges and lots of other London sights. It was actually raining rather than just being the usual overcast, so while that makes it colder, it also makes concrete, smoggy London seem a bit more magical and cosmopolitan.

This is St Paul's from just near my work.






If you then walk around St Paul's and towards the Thames, you come to the Millennium Bridge (which the British Government built for the 2000 celebrations and then took a lot of flak for as the the bridge was architecturally flawed and wobbled). From the bridge you look one way and see the Tate Modern, and the other way, back north to St Paul's.




Here's a better view of the bridge itself.



The galleries and museums are all open till 10pm. I wasn't allowed to take photos in the Tate, but they have some really interesting and sometimes controversial art (being a modern art gallery). A lot of things that you think a 6-year-old could create, but also some really amazing things, and some famous works from people like Andy Warhol, Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Joan Miro. I particularly liked the photos by an artist called Francesca Woodman - a bit depressing, especially because she killed herself at 22 - but very original. So anyway, I took a photo of an installation outside just to get one art photo, and also one of me because I know how dull photos with no people can get. I also took a shot of the escalators because they were kind of beautiful all on their own.








And finally a night shot of St Paul's on the way home to the Tube.

One sunny afternoon in west London, part 2

While it was still sunny, I wanted to make my way to Gunnersbury Park, about 20 mins walk from home. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunnersbury_Park.

On the way things were again looking typically English. The novelty of that is almost wearing off for me.













I came to this:

which sounded better than it looked.



However, Gunnersbury Park was beautiful. You walk off the North Circ into this huge, quiet sanctuary with neverending paths and so many corners to discover. The first part I came to was the creatively named Round Pond (they have one of these in Hyde Park as well) with its 18th century temple. You can just see the Canadian geese (introduced but I think they're more handsome than the native ones).


The park has tennis courts, 36 playing fields, playgrounds, more lakes, even an overgrown bowling green. (It wasn't very photogenic so you'll need to imagine.) After Queensland all that green grass is quite an experience.






This is a ruined boat house (originally a kiln).


The park also still has 2 of the old mansions (from before it was a public park), which sort of remind me of BBC Pride and Prejudice sets, and which might remind Dad of The Lavender Hill Mob, because that's where they shot it!



And ruins of the original Gunnerbury House, which was demolished when the land was divided up. It looks like I've been taking my photos leaning sideways...will have to work on that.

Hello!

Hi family members

I have set up this blog to show you some photos of where I'm living and maybe some of my travels. I would also really like to see your photos and hear what is happening with you all, so maybe if you have some spare time you could set up another blog linked to this one.

Love
Lauren

One sunny afternoon in west London, part 1

Last Sunday I decided to wander around my London suburb, as I hear the sun won't be shining for long.

On the way I saw some of the classic English architecture (over behind the constant traffic jam on the North Circular which is one of London's busiest roads):




And not so classic...I think this must be the modern-day equivalent of boarding up a house to keep out squatters. (You can get a closer look by clicking on the photo.)


I also came across Sid James' old house. It's right near my place -- unfortunately the BBC doesn't screen Carry On re-runs anywhere near as much as the ABC.