Tax Return

It's tiring doing the accounts.

America Street

Thank you all for your well wishes yesterday, I feel much better after a day of rest.

Recently on a walk through the borough of Southwark I came across America Street. I felt certain there would be an interesting history associated with it. I can't find anything. The best I can offer is the the nearby Cathedral has close ties with America. John Havard a parishioner lost most of his family members during the Southwark plague, he and his wife then left for Massachusetts in 1637. Unfortunately John died a year later of consumption.

There are also connections with the cathedral of settlers who went to Connecticut and in typical colonist fashion appropriated land from the indigenous tribes.
A petition was presented to Queen Anne who ruled in favour of the indigenous people. this ruling was ignored.
In 1735 a group comprising both indigenous and settlers came to London to petition King George II to restore their lands. Disaster struck and the entire party died of smallpox before meeting the King. The lands remained with the settlers.

Gossip

Guess whose zooming down for a cut, cuppa and chat.

Spiderman Band

Do not try this at home!

Winchester Geese

Winchester Geese is how prostitutes were known in the middle ages when the Bishop of Winchester ran licensed houses of 'geese'. An area in Southwark became the burial ground for these women. Later a burial ground for those with cholera, smallpox and similar diseases. By Victorian times it was an overcrowded burial ground for paupers, finally closing in 1853. In recent years this shrine on the gate has appeared to remember all those who lie here.

Parking Space

No sign of the rider but I felt certain she would be wearing a pink dress.

Garden Guys Hospital

A peaceful spot in Guy's Hospital (Southwark) with a statue of Viscount Nuffield, a Victorian benefactor. The hospital one of the oldest in the world, its history dates back to 1170. A charitable hospital until coming under the National Health Service (NHS) in 1993. It survived the black plague, the war of the roses, the great fire of London, the blitz. Think I'll head straight there for the next major catastrophe!

The Shard

A bird's eye view of progress on the Shard. It started life as London Bridge Tower, designed by Renzo Piano, the Italian architect who also designed the Pomidou Centre in Paris.
Controversial, loved by some hated by others.
It will change London's skyline, becoming the tallest building in the European Union and the 45th highest in the world.
Currently scheduled to be finished in 2012.

Sunday Bridges - Stroll across Sothwark

Currently receiving a new coat of paint. Southwark Bridge is next up river from London Bridge (rail).

Best news today - My suitcase has finally turned up. Lost by the airlines on 23 December! I do hope the man I chatted to at the airport has found his. His went astray on 18 December.

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache visit other Sunday Bridges

Sunday Bridges - Southwark Bridge

Southwark Bridge has the longest iron span ever made 240 ft (73 mtrs).

Also gets a mention in a couple of Charles Dickens books, Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend.

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache visit other Sunday Bridges.