Sea of Umbrellas

The rain's back.

Jubilee Finale

Thousands lined the streets for the final parade for the jubilee weekend.
The news reports are full of how wonderful the event was. Around the outside was a different story. Barriers were in place to prevent thousands from getting in. Police corralled people sending them on long walks. Children were disappointed with many in tears. I witnessed a group of elderly people break through a set of barriers in sheer frustration as they saw large empty spaces on the inside of the barriers.
This young girl had her special day however when Mexican TV filmed her and interviewed her dad.

The Queen has more jubilee functions today. She must be worn out by the festivities. I've certainly reached jubilee overload and will be back to normal life from today.

Action Man

Clive made this look really easy. I can't say the same for one of the men putting them on for the first time. Pop on your powerbocks then leap 7ft high and run at 20mph.
Staying upright unassisted would have been a big enough achievement for the teetering first timer.

Vaisakhi in Trafalgar Square

Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year. Celebrations include partying, bathing and worshipping. London's sikh community put on a fun and colourful party in Trafalgar Square yesterday, but there was no bathing in the fountains as it was too cold.

Pretty Shortcut

A bit of respite from the rain and we're all out walking in the sun. This alley is a pretty shortcut down the side of the National Gallery into the back of Leicester Square. Seems that the gates are only open on weekdays though when it's used by people and pigeons alike.

Sweet Smelling Cakes

Very talented florists created these divine cakes. Yes they are all flowers.

The Martyrs

I heard the drums roll and then saw these gentlemen marching by. Who are they? The sashes and banners say Martyrs, from various places, Essex, Kent, Medway. I found a little information from a google search that tells of a protestant martyr burned to death in 1555, for not attending a catholic mass, then I found contradicting information, saying those who were catholics were the martyrs.
I'm still none the wiser as to the organisation represented here.

I can tell you though they were not keen on being photographed. Come on guys if you are going to march through the streets of London dressed like this and banging drums, expect to be photographed.

St Georges Day

St Georges Day celebrated in Trafalgar Square.
Now I'd be happy if St George would slay blogger and make them give us back the old template.

Update: I've found how to get the old interface back. Under design there is an option to revert to old interface.

Rocking Horse

The current work on the fourth plinth is the rocking horse by artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset. Love it or hate it, its hard to ignore.

Paddy's Party

Thousands celebrated St Patrick's Day in Trafalgar Square yesterday.

Four Lads

Four Lads on holiday in London having a great time.

London is a great place for a holiday and tomorrow I am running a wee competition to give away some tickets to one of the famous tourist attractions, so drop by.

Light and Shadow

Another arty farty picture for you today.

Beauty in Freeze

Generally during the winter months the fountains at Trafalgar Square are drained. We've had such a mild winter that this has happened. The cold snap we had last week has resulted in the fountains partly freezing. Rather beautiful, don't you think?

St Martin's Baby

Thousands visit Trafalgar Square every week, how many know about this baby overlooking the square? In the entrance to St Martin's in the Field (the church across the road from the square) lying on the top of a 4.5 tonne block of Portland stone is this sculpture of a baby. Connected to the earth by its umbilical cord. Commissioned for the millennium, sculptor Mike Chapman wanted to create something that would remind people just whose birthday the celebration was all about.

Syria in Trafalgar Square

A young protester in Trafalgar Square yesterday supporting the Amnesty rally as part of the global day of action in solidarity with Syria, Egypt and the wider middle east.

Excess Food

While millions starve around the world wealthy nations waste food. Yesterday in Trafalgar Square "feeding the 5000" , an organisation set up to hightlight this waste, invited the public to a free lunch made with food that would otherwise have gone to landfill or pig food. They handed out a booklet of recipes on how to make delicious meals with left overs, invited you to pat a pig and invited you to join the pledge on their website to reduce your food waste.

Diwali on the Square

The annual festival of light celebrated its 10th year in Trafalgar Square on the weekend.

Monopoly - Trafalgar Square

Monopoly red square. £240.
Trafalgar Square one of the world's most famous places for protests and gatherings. Even the pigeons attempt large assemblies which hawks are brought in to manage.

Count Down

Keeping an eye on the Olympic count down clock recently installed in Trafalgar Square.

Happy St Patrick's Day

For the little bit of Irish in you all.