Singing Wall

No its not a new religion the wall does sing, just not on every button. It is addictive.
Next time you are at Kings Cross station give it a whirl.

The Party Begins

As the torch made its way through London yesterday so did accompanying entertainment. This morning at 08:12 bells will ring throughout the country. Olympic fever is high. The party begins.

The Olympic Torch Arrives in London

The Olympic torch has arrived in London. It began its tour this morning leaving Camden at 6:48am weaving its way towards Kings Cross where it arrived by barge along Regents Canal stopping at the steps to Granary Square. For this section the torch bearer was Paris Walker. As she stepped off the barge she was welcomed by a choir of young singers and showered with sparkling ticker tape. The torch was passed on to the next runner at the top of the stairs and left for St Pancras Station. It will continue on around the city arriving at Hyde Park around 4:30pm this afternoon.

Although the majority were delighted others aren't so enamoured with the Olympics.

Granary Square Fountain

Granary Square is part of the Kings Cross redevelopment. It is an area the size of Trafalgar Square that runs between Regents Canal and Central St Martin's College of Art and Design. 1080 dancing jets of water make up the new fountain in its centre. The spouts of water leap and dance and they make sounds as if singing.

London Photo Festival

"Reflections on the public and the private" is the theme for the second London Photo Festival. Eighteen exhibitions, workshops and talks given by international photographers, and the lion's share of it is free. This is a great festival running throughout June, and I strongly urge you to go along if you can.

No Bull

Today I am sharing with you the delivery note I have just received from UPS:
"A correct street number is needed for delivery. UPS is attempting to obtain this information.
A postcard has been sent to the recipient requesting that they contact UPS."

I rang them, and yes the postcard has been sent to the correct address. The same one as on the parcel.

Hardy Tree

Headstones and tree roots create art.
When the Midland Railways planned to build their new railway line, in the area now known as Kings Cross and St Pancras, they had to figure what to do with the bones and gravestones in the large burial grounds surrounding the historic church.

This rather unenviable task fell to Thomas Hardy. He stacked some headstones around this ash tree, meaning to get back to them later, and never did. Probably because he rushed off to help Dickens write a tale of two cities. Time has seen the stones and the tree, known as the Hardy tree, meld together.

Hail

Moments before being pelted with large hailstones. A good time for Greece to offer sunny holiday deals to the English.

Girl does it like the Boys

This piece appeared in Kings Cross recently. The work of German street artist Schmultzfink, who began his street career in the summer of 2011. His first character was skribbel the banker.
Like many street artists he aims to challenge our way of thinking and stereotypes. This one is of a girl peeing standing up.

Another View Of Kings Cross Station

The mezzanine floor of the new concourse at Kings Cross Station. See the view they are looking at here. The architects have create a roof that will become as iconic as the British Museum. A treat for the 45 million annual passengers that will pass through here.

Weird Fish

Grannie in her trendy weird fish hoodie

Breaking News - Three Little Pigs Arrested

Passing the Guardian Offices the other day I spotted the three little pigs and the wolf. What is this all about? seems it is part of the Guardian's advertising campaign for open journalism.
The video clip is a fun watch here.

Kings Cross Concourse Opens

The new concourse at Kings Cross station officially opened yesterday. The orientation of people has moved to the west of the station making the connection between Kings Cross and St Pancras easier and more logical. Now spacious and light with shops restaurants and cafes making your wait a pleasant affair.
When the renovations first began at St Pancras we were told this was to be a destination station with people wanting to come to the station for all that was there and surrounding it. it is well on the way to achieving this.

Annual memorial to Grimaldi

Today the 65th annual memorial service to honour the British clown Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1835) is held. This memorial was originally held at St James where he is buried (above). The service moved to the Holy Trinity church in Dalston in 1959. Traditionally this date marked the beginning of the circus touring circuit.
So don't be surprised if you are overwhelmed by lots of clowns if you are in East London today.

Huggers set new world record

Another reason London is the best city in the world. Hugging couples have set a new world record at St Pancras Station. I popped along last night to see how the hugging couples were faring. With a little over 8 hours under their belts at that stage and still full of enthusiasm that they would go the marathon distance and pass the 24 hrs 34 minutes of the previous record. I've just checked their progress all those taking place at the time I photographed them were all still there a few minutes ago. Yahoo!

After the Rain

Street reflections after the rain.

Night Sky

We had a beautiful clear sky last night. Literally the calm before the storm. Today is grey windy and raining. Storm warnings have been issued.

Lego Xmas

Ok it's now close enough to Xmas that I am now going to bring Xmas images. This year it began in October! Way to early for me. The giant Xmas tree in St Pancras Station is entirely made of lego. One way of being green I guess. It's a hit with the tourists as they arrive on the eurostar.

A Glimpse of the Way it Was

As the regeneration of Kings Cross continues these places will be forgotten. I'm not sure what the deadline for this building is or what the plans for it are. I will endeavour to find out and keep you posted. At present this brick building in Pancras Rd still has a couple of businesses in it. Antiques, A mirror store and a gallery.

Calthorpe Project

The Calthorpe Project is a small community garden that describes itself as “An inner city oasis – a community garden and centre where people grow and learn together taking care of each other and the environment.” Like everything at the moment they have been affected by funding cuts. They are now trying to raise funds to be able to continue. Surely we should be putting more money into places like this that provide spaces and activities for local communities, especially the young and old.