All Eyes And Ears

Battersea Power Station

Barring finding any more vacation photos I want to share, this is it. This is my grand finale. I’ve had what I call an architectural crush on this building for years, (evidenced by this tag on my other blog) and while I have mixed feelings about its conversion into overly expensive condos (they appear to be blocking the views of it with other condos, and I hate that), I am thrilled to pieces that the new owners seem enthusiastic about their love for the building, and that someone is finally taking care of it and bringing it back to life. (And that the river clipper has a stop here now (third picture); very cool, and that can only help.) I want it to last forever.

On my way out of the city on the Gatwick Express, I was so sad about having to leave London, and I happened to look up at the right time and see Battersea coming up. I hadn’t seen it on the way in, probably because I was on the other side of the train, looking in the other direction. It was a lovely surprise and seemed like London’s affectionate goodbye to me. The first picture I took on the river clipper; the second one, I took on the train leaving London.

Earl’s Court Tube Station

“My” tube station for the length of my stay. I recommend the area, I liked it very much, and it was convenient enough to the places I wanted to visit. I have a sentimental attachment to it now.

(Look all the way to the very left and that bit of blue is the previously shown TARDIS; all the way to the right is the convenience store I bought my junk food in all week. Vimto, Wotsits, Topic bars … much snacking.)

Embankment

The station, with the Golden Jubilee Bridge and the London Eye in the background and a view nearby, on a cold, misty Friday morning.

Mind The Gap

You kind of have to take one of these pictures while you’re there. :) This was Westminster Station.

Scotland Yard

I really wanted to see Scotland Yard because of all the detective shows I watch and books I read - regards to DI Greg Lestrade and (post move from Manchester), DCI Gene Hunt, among others - but there is a bonus: look at that stylish oblong roofline, rotating sign, and the standing letters.

Trafalgar Square

To think I wasn’t even going to go. It was vast and amazing, and as I walked past the Canadian embassy, and it opened up in front of me as I kept walking, I was stunned. So worth the short walk from Piccadilly Circus, even in the icy winds of January.

Her Majesty’s Theatre

Arrestingly gorgeous building.

Graffiti Decals

Bollocks Brexit, Bollocks Trump indeed.

Liberty London

I got my mom some fabric here, as you do if your mom (or anyone else you know) sews.

Spirit of Soho Mural

On Broadwick Street, created by the Soho Community, completed in 1991 and restored in 2006.

Carnaby Street

The epicenter of the Swinging Sixties, and a very cool place.

Rainbow

Huge sculpture in Selfridges’ Louis Vuitton area.

3 Savile Row

The old Beatles’ building, at just about exactly 50 years to the hour of their rooftop concert here (January 30th, 2019, right around noon). I wanted to be here just to mark the 50th for myself, but had really hoped someone would be doing something. They were! As I rounded the corner from Vigo St., there was a huge crowd, and traffic was slowed to a crawl. Someone was playing Beatles music loudly. I stayed till it was over, marveling at the whole thing. Cars honking, cops peering down from the roof of the neighboring building, neighbors across the street on the second floor leaning out of their windows and having fun.

What an amazing thing to have walked into. I will always remember this with joy.

Maison Assouline Sheep

Looking it up now, I desperately wish I’d gone in. I thought it was an incredibly posh home decor shop; looks like it’s an incredibly posh art/bookshop instead.

Criterion Theatre

Beautiful.