YesBut Thinking Aloud

2010-01-12T21:31:00.001Z

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2008-07-29T17:24:00.001+01:00

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2008-07-28T08:18:00.000+01:00

Bamboo haiku
Willow sonnet
Grass beat

Just a thought

2008-07-25T08:09:00.000+01:00

Hiku: Haiku for dyslexics?

Haiku Question

2008-07-21T07:29:00.000+01:00

What, where, when

how?

type click Google

Conforming pebbles

2008-07-18T07:05:00.000+01:00

You're so square

Pain

2008-07-14T07:02:00.000+01:00

Dentist smiles

open wide

does this hurt

Big and small pebbles

2008-07-11T07:10:00.000+01:00

Some join groups
others are loners
mean while they are watched

Yes, but what is it?

2008-07-07T08:58:00.000+01:00

What is the subject of the photograph? Is someone walking over my grave, (assuming I had a glass coffin lid)?

In fact it's someone walking over a glass rooflight/ smoke vent which allows a dim stream of daylight into the tunnel connecting South Kensington underground station with the Victoria & Albert Museums, Natural History Museum and Imperial College.

I was walking through the tunnel on my way to Kensington Gardens and a visit to the Serpentine Gallery- one of my favourite art galleries in London.

Pebble ranks

2008-07-04T07:17:00.000+01:00

March on

YesBut help

2008-06-30T07:26:00.000+01:00

This is a short but nevertheless sincere appeal for help.

Mrs YesBut is addicted to bags. Walking past a bag shop she can't resist, she must go in, its the same with market stalls selling bags. Unfortunately it goes beyond looking. She feels the world will come to a catastrophic end if she walks out of the shop having not bought a bag.

I open a cupboard door and I see rows and rows of bags. I open a bag at random and inside I see a bag. I open the bag and inside is . . . yes a bag.

Is there a mantra I can intone or a potion I can administer to cure her of bagmania.?

How I long to be Bag Less in Seattle.

Pebbles on the move

2008-06-27T07:54:00.000+01:00

Left, right, left right
keep in line

Memorial day - 55

2008-06-25T07:51:00.000+01:00

Today’s memorial is located in the Victoria Embankment Gardens, London; it was erected to the memory of Sir Arthur Sullivan.

In the nineteenth and into the twentieth century there were few more famous names in the entertainment world than Gilbert & Sullivan. Their names are still synonymous with Light Opera.

Gilbert as librettist and Sullivan as composer collaborated in the production of fourteen comic operas. H.M.S. Pinafore (1878), The Pirates of Penzance (1879), The Mikado (1885) and The Gondoliers (1889) are stilled performed today by armature operatic societies. Their productions were as popular and crowd pleasers then, as musicals are today.

Arthur Sullivan was born in London in May 1842. By the age of eight he could play proficiently all the instruments of a band. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, then at the Felix Mendelssohn College of Music and Theatre in Leipzig. He was an established composer before he joined forces with Gilbert in 1871. There partnership lasted until 1896. As well as operas he composed hymns, the best known being “Onward Christian Soldiers”.

He was knighted in 1883; and died aged 58 in November 1900.

His memorial is the work of Sir George Frampton, R.A., P.R.B.S. (1860 -1928). The most striking feature is the bronze partially clothed figure of a weeping woman. On the left hand side of the base are a lute and theatrical mask, the symbols of music and comedy. Sullivan’s bronze bust looks forward, a moustached Victorian gentleman.

Click here to see YesBut's Image of the day, and leave your caption.

Is this a proverb?

2008-06-23T07:17:00.000+01:00

We were walking along, when Mrs YesBut turned to me and said "If wishes were horses, man could fly".

I asked, "where did that come from?".

She said she didn't know.

Googled the phrase, while there are similar phrases, nothing exactly the same.

Can you help by providing an explanation?

I'm baffled - though that's nothing new, Mrs YesBut frequently confounds me.

Scattered pebbles

2008-06-20T07:07:00.000+01:00

Let's have some order. Form rows, biggest in the back, smallest in front.

Memorial day - 54

2008-06-18T08:01:00.000+01:00

The most famous memorial to Queen Victoria’s consort is the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. The structure designed in the Gothic style by Sir George Gilbert Scott is located just north of the Albert Hall.

However, the subject of today’s blog, is the less well known memorial to Prince Albert located on a traffic island at the busy intersection of six roads at Holborn Circus. To the east is Holborn Viaduct, the subject of this blog on 25th July 2007; while to the north Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery quarter and UK’s diamond centre.

Albert Prince Consort was born 1819 and died of typhoid in 1861.

The bronze statue showing Albert on horseback was unveiled in 1874 and is mounted on a granite pedestal. The statue, donated by the City Corporation, commemorates Albert laying the foundation stone of the Royal Exchange in 1842.

Isolated on the traffic island, one has to be both quick and reckless to dash between the traffic to take a close-up view of the plaques on the plinth.

On the north side the inscription reads “The Prince laying the first stone of the Royal Exchange 17th January 1842”

On the south side “Exhibition of all Nations 1851. Britannia distributing Awards”

On the west side is the figure of Peace, while on the east side the figure of History, holding a book dated 1851 - 1862.

Click here to see YesBut's Image of the day, and leave your caption.

First Thought

2008-06-16T07:57:00.000+01:00

When I woke up this morning, the first thought I had was "There ain't no books in
America".

Now in the name of green Jelly Babies, where did that thought come from?

Green Jelly Babies why are they so unloved?

All they want is to be eaten, instead they are pushed aside in the bag - how sad.

Blogging haiku

2008-06-13T06:59:00.000+01:00

Egotistical blogger

contemplating navel

me too

Memorial day - 53

2008-06-11T07:34:00.000+01:00

The City of London with a resident population of less than 10,000 is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. The smallest being St David's in Wales with a population of less than 2000. The City is the financial heart of the UK and one of, if not the financial centre of the World. During the working week its narrow roads and allays come to life with the 350,000 bankers, financiers and investment workers, while during the weekend it is like a ghost
town.

The City is also known as the Square Mile, due to its physical dimensions.

To mark its boarder stand on its main thoroughfares the emblem of the City of London, supported by two dragons.

The bollard in the photograph at the top of the page, is one of two identical status that stand on the north and south side of the Victoria Embankment and mark the south western boundary of the City, adjacent to the River Thames. The dragons were formerly mounted above the entrance to the City of London Coal Exchange, which was demolished in 1963.

Just north and running parallel with the Victoria Embankment stands the Strand. The statue on the right stands outside the Royal Courts of Justice, opened by queen Victoria in 1882. When the ruling monarch visits the City, on formal Royal occasions, the Lord Mayor of London stands by the monument to great the monarch.

Shocking - heed the warning

2008-06-09T07:22:00.000+01:00

How have all these electric cables managed to accumulated under my desk?

Day of the Triffids.

YesBut no Haiku

2008-06-06T07:20:00.001+01:00

Three empty lines

on an empty screen

devoid of inspiration - bloggless

Memorial day - 52

2008-06-04T07:41:00.001+01:00

How quick the time has gone, a year since I posted the first Memorial day blog on 6th June 2007. The question was what memorial or public work of art should I choose for Memorial day 52.

The answer was obvious, it could only be - The Monument. The name is sufficient, no need to say what it is a monument too. As can be seen above, it even has an Underground Station named after it.

The photos used in the blog were taken last August before the Monument was clad in scaffolding for it to be given a multi-million pound makeover.

Visitors will have to wait until December, before they can once again climb the 311 spiral steps up to the observation gallery.

The Monument was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke. Hooke is less well known by the general public than Wren, the architect of among other great buildings St Paul's Cathedral. But Hooke (1635 ~ 1703) was a brilliant scientist and engineer - his discoveries are well worth reading about. The question arises why isn't he better known? He quarreled with Isaac Newton who at the time was President of the Royal Society.Newton used that position to obscure Hooke's work.

Back to the subject of the blog, the flame-topped monument to the Great Fire of 1666 is the tallest free-standing stone column in the world, and was completed in 1677. The Latin inscription on the north panel of the pedestal translates as

"In the year of Christ 1666, on 2 September, at a distance eastward from this place of 202 ft, which is the height of this column, a fire broke out in the dead of night which, the wind blowing, devoured even distant buildings, and rushed devastating through every quarter with astonishing swiftness and noise ... On the third day ... at the bidding, we may well believe, of heaven, the fire stayed its course and everywhere died out."

You might recall the subject of last week's blog the Golden Boy commemorates the point at the north side of the City where the fire was brought under control.

YesBut its the same but looks different

2008-06-02T07:44:00.000+01:00

After blogging for a couple of months, thinking of subjects to blog about becomes more difficult.

Its the same with photography, you get a new camera and its click, click, click. Subjects appear to jump out at you shouting "photograph me". Everywhere you turn there are interesting shots to take. But with time those inspirational images seem to occur less frequently. Your left, camera in hand with nothing to photograph.

Suggestion:~ photograph the same thing! Familiar scenes can change dramatically with time and weather conditions. The light conditions are totally different at: dawn, midday and dusk. Also dramatic effects can be observed with varying weather conditions - storm clouds forming, blue sky and wispy clouds.

Have camera, will photograph.

Numbed brain

2008-05-30T07:25:00.000+01:00

Haiku, Soduko with words
figure that out
judo, aikido numbed brain

Memorial day - 51

2008-05-28T06:58:00.000+01:00

The subject of today's blog is, like the last two weeks, located in the Smithfield area of London.

Walking south from Smithfield Market along Giltspur Street, towards the Old Bailey - the Central Criminal Court, on the left side you come across an appropriately named road. Look up and you see the figure of the Golden Boy. It was erected to mark the point where in 1666 the Great Fire of London was stopped from spreading further north.

The figure of a fat boy was meant to signify the belief that the fire was God's punishment for Londoner's indulgence in gluttony.

The statue was originally erected in the front wall of the Fortune of War pub. The establishment was notorious for the part it played in former times in body snatching. The Resurrectionists would bring bodies to the pub to be purchased by the surgeons from Saint Bartholomew's Hospital located across the road.

Now for the final question. I made reference to the appropriately named road. What came first the Boy or Cock Lane?

Qashqai Challenge

2008-05-26T07:41:00.013+01:00

The London lap of the Nissan Qashqai Challenge was held on Saturday.

Brilliantly exciting mountain bike riding.
The riders demonstrated their skill and courage to the full.

Took some great photographs, unfortunately their is a problem with Google preventing uploading - will post them when I can.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVING PROBLEMS UPLOADING PICTURES?

On location

2008-05-23T07:10:00.002+01:00

Tuesday afternoon, I was walking along London's South Bank, when I came across a movie being shot outside the Royal National Theatre.

Here are some shots I took with my G9.

I'm Dustin Hoffman, I'm the Star.

I'm a security guard, don't mess with me.

I'm an Extra, but I should be a Star

Is that Dustin Hoffman, he's my favourite.

He's too old, but I love ice cream

I'm really bored.

Who are all these people?

Memorial day - 50

2008-05-21T07:23:00.001+01:00

If you read last weeks blog about the bloody history of the Smithfield area, you wouldn't be surprised to read that Smithfield became the primary retail meat market serving London. In fact the market didn't develop from the gruesome executions past, but from the fact that in former times it was the site of a cattle mart.

With the growth of supermarkets where people buy their meat double wrapped in polystyrene, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of independent butcher shops. This has resulted in Smithfield almost going out of business.

While it is no longer the hive of nighttime activity, nevertheless it is well worth a visit to see the intricate wrought iron grill work in the market.

But today's featured memorial was erected in Smithfield Market in memory of the former workers: butchers, porters and clerks who worked in the market, but lost their lives in World War 1.

YesBut instant gratification

2008-05-19T07:51:00.000+01:00

Most visitors to this blog will not stay long enough even to read these words!

A glance, an impression - a click and move on.

I would really be grateful if you would take just a minute and leave your answer to the question:

Why did you stay on this site long enough to read this question?

This is a serious question, and I'm really interested to know the answer.

Why do visitors stop and read some blogs, yet make an instant decision not to bother to read others?

Please leave your answer as a comment - thanks.

It's still there

2008-05-16T07:14:00.004+01:00

Last August I described the process of demolishing 122 Leadenhall Street in order to build a new office block, already nicknamed the Cheese grater. Well as you can see they are still slowly demolishing it from the bottom upwards. Slow going.

Memorial day - 49

2008-05-14T07:31:00.000+01:00

The subject of last weeks blog was the trees outside St Paul's Cathedral. If you walk north from St Paul's past the Old Bailey you come to a square, bounded on the north by Smithfield Market and on the south Saint Bartholomew's Hospital.

Set in the hospital wall are two plaques which commemorate the gruesome history of the location. In former times this was the site for public executions.

Read the details on the plaques and you will see just how shocking these events were. The objective was to cause as much pain and suffering before the prisoner died.

The plaque behind the iron grill commemorates Christian martyrs who were burnt at the stake. Named on the plaque are John Rogers, John Bradford and John Philpot executed in the years 1555 ~ 1557.

If the prisoner was wealthy he or she would bribe the executioner to provide alcohol and drugs to dull the pain. And to place a small pack of gunpowder at the base of the their spine, which would be ignited by the flames to kill them. The less fortunate would suffer a long lingering painful death.

The other commemorative plaque is to a far more famous, some would say infamous person, Sir William Wallace. A Scottish hero made famous by Mel Gibson in the 1995 film Braveheart.

From 1296 William Wallace led the Scottish patriots in their defense of their homeland against Edward I of England.

He was betrayed by his own countrymen and handed over to Edward.

He was brought to London and held prisoner in the Tower. On 23rd August 1305 he was stripped naked and pulled at the heals of a horse from the Tower to Smithfield. There he was hanged, but cut down before he was dead. His genitals were then cut off and stuffed in his mouth. He was then disemboweled. Even after all this he was still alive. He was then beheaded.

Even then they were not finished, his body was butchered into four parts. His head was dipped in tar to preserve it, before it was stuck on a spike on London Bridge.

He really must have upset Edward I.

Message don't mess with the British establishment!

Not the Great Fire of London

2008-05-12T07:53:00.009+01:00

First we saw the smoke - there's no smoke without fire!

Then we heard and then saw the fire engine.

Then came the police to tape off the area - "yes love its a fire"

Run out the hoses.

Finally the local authority workers cleaned up the mess, after some rubbish had gone on fire.

Motor car repair Haiku

2008-05-09T07:51:00.000+01:00

Motor mechanic sighs
shakes head
expensive

Memorial day - 48

2008-05-07T07:16:00.000+01:00

Memorials can take many forms and commemorate a vast array of events or people.

On the north side of the plaza in front of St Paul's Cathedral there is an arc of trees.

At the base of each tree there is a plaque detailing who sponsored the planting of the tree and the event commemorated.

The tree might survive far longer than the plaque or the memory of the event commemorated.

Just another thought

2008-05-05T08:12:00.001+01:00

If God meant us to use Dental Floss, why did He (O.K. or She) give us nails, to pick our teeth?

Poetic philanderer

2008-05-02T07:38:00.001+01:00

Pulsating pelvis

popular paramour

pervasive passion prevails

Memorial day - 47

2008-04-30T11:43:00.005+01:00

The statues featured in Memorial day blogs are normally erected in memory of famous people, though last weeks was to the 202 people killed by the Bali bomb.

In the UK, from Victorian times to about fifty years ago, most people would have some form of memorial as a permanent mark of their existence - namely their grave.

Depending on your status, graves varied from very ornate structures down to a plain headstone detailing only the deceased name and dates of birth and death.

Now more people are cremated and the only mark of their existence is an entry in a memorial book or a small plaque in a garden of remembrance.

Due to the grave copings, graveyards are not easy to maintain, and many are now overgrown with brambles and wild rhubarb . In some graveyards, to facilitate maintenance, the copings have been removed, leaving just the headstones and the area laid out as lawns.

R.I.P.

Those blog nights

2008-04-28T16:24:00.001+01:00

I had a "blog night" last night. As soon as I closed my eyes a topic for a blog bounced into my brain.

Learnt long ago not to think, "good topic, write about it tomorrow morning". Because come the morning, all I remember is I had thought of a subject for a blog, but can't remember what it is about. So now I take the precaution, as soon as I think of a subject I write myself an aid-mémoire. But last night the thoughts were coming so quickly I was in and out of bed all night.

Ha you might say, why not have a note book and pen by the side of the bed. Answer - Mrs YesBut. She would object to me switching on the light to write the notes. In her shoes I'd complain myself, because last night the bedroom light would have been on and off like a lighthouse flashing.

Tried to analyse what causes me to have "blog nights". I think its to do with visiting art galleries! Spend a couple of hours in an art gallery and my mind seems to flip. When I come out of the gallery I have a more intense sense of perception, (true). Colours are brighter, images appear sharper. The experience is (I would image, having never tried any form of drug - even grass) as if I had taken a mind altering drug. I'm really on a high, I see even in the ordinary, things to photograph. Yesterday afternoon, after visiting a gallery, I took 160 shots in less than 2 hours. So the creativity just continued throughout the night. Only one problem - this morning I feel knackered! Going for a little nap.

Follow the signs

2008-04-25T18:11:00.006+01:00

Walking through a local park, on a recent visit to Wales, I saw a signboard at the junction of a path.

Taking a closer look I saw the signboard not only gave directions in English and Welsh, but also in braille.

Now I must admit I am puzzled. The question which I cannot resolve is, "how would a blind person know that there is a signboard there to obtain direction?"

Memorial day - 46

2008-04-23T11:15:00.003+01:00

The subject of last week's Memorial day blog was the Clive of India statue located on the steps at the west end of King Charles Street.

At the base of the steps is a memorial that defines the start of the 21st Century, it is to the 202 victims of the Bali bombing.

They were killed in Kuta beach resort by a terrorist bomb on 12th October 2002.

The memorial designed by Gary Breeze, was unveiled by the Prince of Wales on 12th October 2006 and consists of a granite globe carved with 202 individually designed doves representing the individual victims who were from 28 countries, and an elegant sweeping wall carved with their names.

Garden pond

2008-04-21T09:31:00.004+01:00

Golden carp

reflecting water

tranquility

Conspiring pebbles

2008-04-18T11:59:00.001+01:00

Break it up you lot!
What are you whispering about?

Memorial day - 45

2008-04-16T09:58:00.003+01:00

At the east end of St James's Park there are steps that take you along King Charles Street from Horse Guards Road to Whitehall. Walking along you pass through the heart of the British Government, flanked by the Foreign Office and the other major Ministries of State.

But the subject of today's blog is found midway up the steps, it is the statue of Robert Clive, 1st Barron Clive of Plassey - more famously known as Clive of India. If you know of Clive's achievements you might be struck by the dates on the statue 1725 ~ 1774. Clive was only 49 years old when he died!

Aged 18 Clive went to India to work as a clerk (a junior official) in the East India Company. Soon after reaching India he was soon caught up in the conflict between France and Britain over territory in the subcontinent. This was the start of Clive's career not as was first attended in the civil service, but in the military.

From 1755 Clive's name was closely associated with the East India Company's military campaigns. Clive owes his fame and fortune to his participation in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies is seen as the defining event which established British rule of India which lasted to 1947.

In 1760 Clive returned to England a tremendously wealthy man and devoted his energies to politics. In 1765 he returned to India, where he established the Empire of British India. He left India for the last time in 1767.

On his return to Britain, his fast wealth, and more particularly how he acquired it was questioned. Although he was vindicated of any impropriety in 1774 he committed suicide by stabbing himself with a penknife.

Taking a closer look

2008-04-14T16:42:00.001+01:00

The weather wasn't all that great, Mrs YesBut didn't want to go for a walk, so I amused myself playing around with my new camera.

Thought I test its macro capability. Took a shot of a pebble which was just over two inches long.

Trapped inside the pebble was another pebble, about 1/4 " long.

But taking a closure look, what are those shinning specks?

Eggs, tinny wee insect eggs.

While the eggs might be small, but what might pop out of them could be . . .

- will Mrs YesBut and myself wake up one day to find we're sharing our home with baby dinosaurs?

Watch this space

Its the name

2008-04-11T10:12:00.001+01:00

I'm sure I haven't uncovered the Mafia's money laundering operation.
But names can be so misleading.

"Men on top" not a massage parlour but a hairdressing salon.

Do you know of any quirky business names?

Memorial day - 44

2008-04-09T17:52:00.007+01:00

The highly successful First Emperors Exhibition in the British Museum has just finished.

China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi was buried in Xi'an with the now world-famous terracotta warriors.

In conjunction with the exhibition, there was a piece of Chine's modern art on view in the Grand Court - interestingly the Court with its high tech roof, is the largest covered public square in Europe.

The sculpture entitled Rock Number 59 is the work of Zhan Wang.

For centuries rocks have been an aesthetic element in Chinese life. Craggy rocks representing mountains have been placed in gardens.

Zhan moulds stainless steel sheets over actual rocks, which he welds together to form highly polished hollow sculptures.

I guess Rock 59 is ten foot tall.

Olympic torch parade protests

2008-04-07T20:50:00.004+01:00

Its Spring, but yesterday we saw the first fall of snow of the winter.

Although it was very cold, in the afternoon I thought I would take a stroll across Blackfriars Bridge to watch the Olympic torch pass St Paul's Cathedral.

Got there early, not much for the French TV crew or myself to see. More policemen than protesters.

Then suddenly, when I looked down Ludgate Hill I saw a tidal wave of humanity running towards me.

They were closely followed by police reinforcements, on foot and motorcycle.

Even though the crowed was a mixture of protesters opposed to China's human rights record and its occupation of Tibet, and pro-china supporters, the demonstration was good natured.

I only saw one argument, between a very angry pro-Tibet protester and a Chinese supporter.

The police were very quick to move in on any threat to the passage of the Olympic torch.

Unfortunately I did not see the torch. The plan had been for a team of runners to transport it from the Royal Festival Hall to St Paul's , but due to the number of demonstrators that plan was abandoned and the torch transported by bus.

I had been waiting over an hour to see the torch, my hands were freezing. I struggled to change the battery in my camera. Thought "lets go home for a cup of tea".

Road closed

2008-04-04T20:04:00.001+01:00

So that is why it takes so long for them to complete road repairs!

Memorial day - 43

2008-04-02T11:51:00.020+01:00

Some years ago, walking along the Victoria Embankment, on the River Thames north bank, just downstream from the Boudicca monument - the subject of Memorial Day 41 - I saw a notice attached to a large block of granite. It was an official notice enquiring if anybody had claim to ownership of the block and site. Apparently it was one of those anomalies where there was no ownership on record. Fortunately no one claimed ownership, and the location became the site of the Battle of Britain monument unveiled by Prince Charles in September 2005.

The bronze panels on the monument are the work of Paul Day. He was also the sculptor of The Meeting Place the subject of Memorial Day 37.

I must admit, due to its shape - a 25 meter long block of granite - it was not an easy monument to photograph, so I leave you with a number of thumbnail shots.

Has bin

2008-03-31T19:13:00.001+01:00

Am I the Man in the Iron Mask?

Nope, but I have to survive on a disgusting diet

Glad I have something to illuminate my life.

Protect Tibet and its people

2008-03-28T18:41:00.002Z

Tibetan Peace Garden, Imperial War Museum, London

Tibetans and their supporters are taking advantage of the Summer Olympics being held in China, to bring the world's attention to China's systematic destruction of Tibetan culture. The Chinese Government vilifies the Dalai Lama, while he preaches peace.

Unfortunately governments in the West are more influenced by commercial considerations than morality. Now is the time for leaders of so called democracies to stand up and declare their abhorrence of China's treatment of the Tibetan people and for individuals to register their support of the Tibetan cause.

Memorial day - 42

2008-03-26T16:10:00.009Z

The subject of Memorial day 35 was "Waterfall" by Antony Donaldson, located in Shad Thames.

From Shad Thames, you can pass through any one of a number of narrow alleyways to get to the Thames riverside. Walking east, you will come to a sculpture by Eduardo Paolozzi, located outside the Design Museum.

The large bronze abstract sculpture of a head resting on its side, stands on a wooden plinth. At the base of the head is a quotation by Leonardo De Vinci

Though human genius
its various inventions
with various instruments
may answer the same end
it will never find an
invention more beautiful or
more simple or direct than
nature because in
her inventions
nothing is lacking
and nothing superfluous.

Eduardo Paolozzi was born in Scotland in 1924 of Italian parents. He studied at both the Saint Martin's School of Art and the Slade School. He became Sir Eduardo Paolozzi on receiving a knighthood in 1989. He died aged 81 in 2005.

Moral Maze

2008-03-24T15:15:00.003Z

The Roman Catholic church in Britain has come out hard with the message Members of Parliament and even Ministers of the Government should vote against the Governments proposed Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

The content of the bill is not the subject of the blog, but rather the reaction to the Cardinals and Bishops attack on the Bill.

No one has questioned the right of the Catholic Church to try to influence legislation. Rather observers have concentrated on whether Members of Parliament should be allowed to vote according to their own conscience, against the dictates of their party.

How different to the reaction of the Establishment to Islam over the last couple of years. Where there has been a fear of the potential influence it might have, especially in conurbations with a large Muslim populace.

Thank goodness we live in a democratic country where free speech is allowed, and hopefully where morality will prevail.

Bridges

2008-03-21T17:27:00.003Z

This is a photograph of some of the bridges that cross the Thames in central London.

Today's question is - how many bridges are there in the photograph?

(The answer is given as a comment, together with their names)

Memorial day - 41

2008-03-19T14:51:00.011Z

If there is one prime location for a monument, it is at the end of Westminster Bridge within the shadow of the Houses of Parliament Clock Tower, (sorry for being so pedantic in not referring to the Tower as Big Ben - that is the name of the bell that chymes the hour, not the clock nor the towers).

Queen Boudicca (formerly known as Boadicea) was the ruler of the Iceni, a tribe who lived in eastern England. She is famous for leading the British (though technically they weren't British at the time, but a collection of tribes) against the Roman Empire. And like present day British sports persons, she didn't win but came in a good second best. Though in her case the Romans killed her in 61AD.

The statute was commissioned in 1850 by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort - I wonder what devious reason he had for doing that? It was made by Thomas Thornycroft.

Standing in the chariot with Boudicca are her two daughters - no wonder they lost, three women driving a chariot, it would have taken them hours to park it.

Legend has it that Boudicca is buried under Platform 10 King's Cross Station. And if you believe that, you'll also believe Harry Potter boarded the train for Hogwarts from Platform 9 3/4.

Two demonstrations

2008-03-17T14:32:00.012Z

On Saturday there was an anti-war demonstration in Trafalgar Square.

I don't understand, who would arrange a demonstration on the same day as Wales were playing France at rugby.

This was no ordinary game. Having beaten Ireland the Saturday before to win the Triple Crown, Wales was going for the Grand Slam (beating England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and France in one season).

Last summer Wales were humiliated when they were knocked out of the World Cup. But on Saturday the same squad of players were triumphant. How in such a short time was such a miraculous turnaround achieved? Through the guidance of the newly appointed coaches Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards. They introduced discipline into the Welsh game, without inhibiting the natural talent and flare.

How good the team really is, will not be known until the summer, when Wales tours South Africa and play test matches against the World Champions.

Back to the demonstration. Prior to the Iraq War a series of anti-war demonstrations were held in London. People who had never thought of, no need, attended demonstrations, were there to publicly declare the opposition to the invasion of Iraq, but Blair treated them with contempt.

I wonder what if any influence Saturdays demonstration had? - I fear none.

Not a good night for photography

2008-03-14T10:43:00.001Z

Tuesday night after dark, I went out to take photographs for the Digital Camera Review's Canon Forum Mini Challenge - shots to be taken between dusk and dawn.

I started at the Royal National Theatre foyer. There is live music there every night to entertain the audiences before they go to see plays in the three theatres.

The Theatre is on the South Bank, next to Waterloo Bridge. When I got onto the bridge I realised I had made a big mistake. The wind was gusting so strong I couldn't use a tripod. I had to cling on to the railings to prevent myself and camera being blown into the river.

Looking east from the bridge, St Paul's Cathedral can be seen together with the office lights in the City of London.

Looking west, you can see the Queen Mary, which is permanently moored there - I think its a bar and restaurant, though on Tuesday it was closed. In the distance you can see the London Eye Wheel and on the right the Houses of Parliament.

Walking north, I was glad to get off the bridge and stand in the entrance to Somerset House.

Parts of Somerset House date from the eighteenth century. Though the east wing shown in the photograph dates from the 1830's.

The building has a long and interesting history with a varied usage.

By now I was feeling cold and windswept, so I decided to go home, passing on the way The Royal Courts of Justice.

I saw these railings, when taking a short cut through Milford Lane, which is in spiting distance of the Temple Church, made famous by Dan Brown in his book the Da Vinci Code.

Walking along the Victoria Embankment, I came across these workers, doing preparation work before resurfacing one of the road lanes.

I was glad to leave them to finish their work and hurry home to get warm.

Memorial day - 40

2008-03-12T14:01:00.007Z

In 1988, the bronze statue "Young Dancer" by Enzo Plazzotta was erected by the Westminster City Council in association with the Plazzotta Estate at the junction of Bow Street and Broad Court.

The now closed Bow Street Magistrates Court is next to the statue. This was the most famous magistrates court in the UK. With many famous people having stood in its dock, including: Oscar Wilde, William Joyce, Giacomo Casanova, General Pinochet to name but a few.

In 1741 Henry Fielding, the author of Tom Jones became a Magistrate. Together with his brother they formed the Bow Street Runners, the first full-time, paid police force in London.

It is no coincidence that there is a statue of a young ballet dancer at this location, for across the road stands the Royal Opera House, which is also the home of the Royal Ballet Company.

Enzo Plazzotta was born in Mestre, near Venice. He spent his working life in London. Gaining a reputation for his fine studies in bronze of movement and the human form. He died aged 60 in 1981.

What a day

2008-03-10T17:23:00.009Z

Back in early January I wrote about the filming on Blackfriars Bridge. Well they were back again this weekend, but 300m further downstream, to the Millennium Bridge.

And I can confirm, they were filming the new Harry Potter film

How much does it cost, not only for the film crew, but all the extras walking across the bridge, security (both police and private security staff), and a helicopter (which you can just about see if you look closely at the upper photo)?

Movies don't come cheap

Moving 300m upstream of Blackfriars Bridge, yesterday morning they found a WW2 hand-grenade which the police blew up with a controlled explosion.

How can you improve on all that excitement?

Well Mother Nature can. After an afternoon shower, a brilliant rainbow over St Paul's Cathedral

Thinking Haiku

2008-03-07T10:18:00.001Z

Are Haiku’s “one liners” with ambition.

Oriental words precisely selected
Reality concisely reflected
Feelings cogently projected.

Memorial day - 39

2008-03-05T12:24:00.008Z

Is it a piece of graffiti or a memorial?

Outside the entrance to the Imperial War Museum in London stands a section of the infamous Berlin Wall. The section formerly stood near the Brandenburg Gate.

The graffiti on the wall is by the graffiti artist Indiano.

The wall was erected in August 1961 by the East German security force to isolate the East German sector of Berlin.

On 9th November 1989, following a civil unrest, the East German Government announced that it would allow its citizens to visit West Berlin and West Germany. This was the signal for the citizens of both East and West Berlin to demolish the hated wall.

Between 1961 and 1989, 80 people died while attempting to cross from East to West Berlin.

Unhealthy thoughts

2008-03-03T12:02:00.003Z

This morning I visited a hospital.
It must be an unhealthy place,
every direction I looked there were sick people!

Leap Year

2008-02-29T18:20:00.002Z

You have me in a swirl
marry me.

Memorial day - 38

2008-02-27T11:31:00.001Z

Walk north from Queen Victoria Street, the City of London, (not to be confused with Victoria Street, Westminster), along Friday Street, and as you approach the junction with Cannon Street you see an area landscaped as a garden, with tropical plants and trees. Look closer, no, your eyes do not deceive you, in the midst of the bushes sits a life sized leopard on a log waiting to pounce on a passer-by who approaches to close.

The bronze sculpture "The Leopard" is exhibited by the Wates Group of Companies and is the 1985 work by Jonathan Kenworthy.

Pebbles

2008-02-25T11:41:00.007Z

Created under searing heat and pressure
scorched by the sun
weathered in winter storms
pounded by the sea
tickled by a babbling brook
caressed by the breeze
you intimately rubbed each other
so were you formed.

Empty jar

2008-02-22T11:36:00.001Z

I really hate having to scrape the bottom of the jar to get peanut butter for breakfast.

Memorial day - 37

2008-02-20T11:28:00.008Z

The subject of last week's Memorial day 36 was the statue of John Betjeman in the recently renovated St Pancras Station. I mentioned in passing another new work of art installed in the station - Paul Day's The Meeting Place.

Unfortunately, this is one work of art which does not work. Standing 9 metres high, the 20 tonne bronze statue is out of scale for the location. Standing in the centre of a large square surrounded by buildings, it might just work. But located in a indoor concourse, it stands up like a sore thumb.

Because of its hight you have to stand well back to see it. But in doing so you are distracted by the public address speakers and more so by the magnificent roof structure. At eye level all you see are the shoes, which make an interesting photograph.

Regrettably it fails to convey the intended representation of the romance of travel. It should have been just over life size, with the figures standing on the floor, not on a plinth.

Spring 2008

2008-02-15T16:39:00.006Z

Spring has come early this year. For the last two years, the daffodils haven't bloomed in London's St James's Park until April.

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T15:54:00.002Z

In England the price of love is quite expensive this year £75 (US$145) for 2 dozen red roses.

Memorial day - 36

2008-02-13T11:47:00.001Z

St Pancras station was opened in 1868 as a monument to the age of Victorian architecture and railways. It has had a chequered history, while being a landmark Victorian building, operationally it was overshadowed by its neighbour Kings Cross. There was a debate during the 1960's on whether it should be demolished. Fortunately it was saved and now has a promising future as the London terminus for the high speed rail link to the Euro Tunnel. Following a £800 million pound makeover it has now reopened- all be it on the occasions I've been there, there have been as many photographers photographing the splendid structure as passengers waiting to board the Euro Train.

Two public works of art have been installed in the concourse: the 9 metre high bronze sculpture The Meeting Place by Paul Day, and the subject of today's blog a bronze sculpture of Sir John Betjeman by Martin Jennings.

The statue captures all of John Betjeman's youthful enthusiasm for all things Victorian and especially steam engines and the railway system. Much to the joy of the British public he was appointed Poet Laureate in 1972. In the 1960's he led the fight to save St Pancras from demolition.

In life he brought a smile and a laugh to peoples lives, this statue will continue to do so in perpetuity.

Turbulent times

2008-02-11T04:13:00.000Z

With reference to Reynold's Number, more a case of I come to bury Caesar not to praise him.

For the last three weeks Mrs YesBut and myself have been in the grips of a cough and chest infection. Despite four hourly onslaughts of codeine and paracetamol the virus remains stubbornly resistant. Having to remain in the apartment, I'm unable to take my camera out and about on the streets of London, and am suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

To prevent my camera from disappearing under dust and cobwebs and my brain from seizing from lack of activity, I've been experimenting with still life photography - or more accurately "I'm still alive photography".

Despite knowing, fluid flow is laminar for Reynolds numbers below 2000 and turbulent for Re > 4000, I haven't achieved the desired results. Last Saturday I posted the least objectionable on My Shared Images.

I'm now beginning to believe that the old brain cells are ceasing to function, and I can no longer judge what is or isn't a good photograph, nor take decisions on what is required to get a better result - I guess it is inevitable after three weeks of sleep deprivation. It wouldn't surprise me if I read this in a few months time (assuming I survive that long) and find it's a load of gobbledegook. If it is, I apologies for wasting your time.

And yes, Mrs YesBut has pointed out to me playing with smoke isn't the most conducive thing to do to clear a chest infection.

This blog is dedicated to Chewy's pebble paintings posted on her blog

Camera haiku

2008-02-08T11:13:00.000Z

Narcissistic camera

keeps photographing itself

over exposed

Memorial day - 35

2008-02-06T11:22:00.000Z

Walking east along The River Thames south bank after passing City Hall, the Mayor of London's office, you come to Tower Bridge.

At this point most tourists climb up the steps to cross the bridge. But if you pass under the bridge, you'll see before you Shad Thames. More of an alleyway than a road looking like a canyon bounded by old warehouses interlinked by bridges.

Fifty years ago, this would have been a hive of activity with cargo ships unloading in the Pool of London. Now the warehouses are converted into apartments (you can rent a 2 bedroom apartment for US$1000 per week). But rather than looking straight ahead, look diagonally towards the right, you will see Horsleydown Square, Tower Bridge Piazza. In the centre stands the work of art commissioned by Wickham and Associates in 1988.

The bronze sculptor Waterfall by Antony Donaldson depicts nubile young ladies playing in a pool. The work of art appears more realistic when seen on a warm summer day rather than a cold February day. Their deportment seems so natural, they are having fun . One of them rests by the side of the pool completely uninhibited drying her body in the sun.

The great joy of this work of art is enhanced by the minute detail of the items, cast in bronze, scattered around the pool's edge: a Nikon SRL camera, mouthorgan, ballet shoes, watch, Walkman cassett and books.

Technical wizardry

2008-02-04T18:08:00.000Z

What piece of high technology was used to obtain the image below.

I tell you the boffins feel a glow of success after last Friday's blog. They've been working all the weekend on a modification of the woolly hat.

Do you remember when back in the good old days when men were men and women looked like Doris Day. Those were the days when Cowboy films were shot in black & white - there was no confusion, the good guys wore white hats while the bad guys black. Roy Rogers rode Trigger and Hopealong Cassidy Topper. They would ride down to the crystal clear brook, dismount dip their stetson hat in the stream, fill it with water so their faithful horse could drink. What was it with those horses? Was it because they were stars, it was below their dignity to bend their neck to drink from a stream?

Well I've been thinking - an event that occurs less frequently these days, and here I must give credit to to Alphonse for asking "Do I ship for free?". I know your there before me - if hats can hold water then woolly hats can keep water out. So when someone places an order for a photographers ventilated pullover or IS / GPS string, they can be put in a woolly hat and floated to the purchaser. Just think of the excitement as each day the purchaser goes down to the beach to see if his or her parcel has arrived. OK I recognise delivery time will depend upon prevailing current directions. And like conventional postal systems the hat might finish up on the wrong beach - a parcel due for Nebraska might finish up in Fiji. But think of the joy when the Fijian sends the parcel on, and a new friendship is made for life.

But I've left the best to the last. If you go diving and want to take photographs of coral formations and fish you need a Camera Waterproof Case. All you will need do is wrap your camera in the woolly hat.

Now returning to my original question - What piece of high technology was used to obtain the image above?

Photographic gadgets test report & review

2008-02-01T12:26:00.000Z

Last week I wrote about the difficulties encountered using a camera tripod around London.

Someone posted on Digital Camera Review
a suggestion to use string to stabilise a camera when taking a long exposure shot.

YesBut has had his boffins' working on the suggestion. And here are the results.

Rather than just using one length of string stretching taught from the tripod socket to the ground. The string 'A''A''A' is wrapped around the waist, threaded through the waist band and secured tightly to the camera wrist strap and pulled tight over the lens.

This image stabilization system retains the tripod configuration, providing longitudinal and lateral constraint - while allowing the user to pan the camera.

YesBut's boffins, the geniuses they are have come up with other world beating pieces of technology.

Firstly the piece of string marked 'B'. Unfortunately the top end of the string is out of view. It is tied to a Global Positioning System satellite - or rather it will be as soon as they overcome some minor difficulties. In addition to giving the exact location a photograph is taken, it can also be used to dry cloths. The boffins assure me it will be available for general release after July.

You buy a shoulder bag or haversack and it cost £5, may be £10 or £15. Sew a couple of straps inside, call it a camera equipment bag and multiply the price by a factor of 5 or 10 . YesBut's boffins reassure me they will not set exorbitant prices for their new range of purposely designed photographers clothing.

The Photographers Pullover incorporates unique ventilation ports 'C', these will ensure photographers arms are maintained within an optimum temperature range irrespective of camera settings.

They have also designed a photographers wo0lly hat 'D'. Naturally a SRL woolly cap will cost more than a point & shoot cap. Also the price must naturally reflect the model of SRL used.

Memorial day - 34

2008-01-30T10:42:00.000Z

I consider for a memorial or public work of art to be successful it must interact with its surroundings and most importantly the general public. Based on that criteria, one of the most successful is the bronze sculpture London Pride standing outside the Royal National Theatre on London's South Bank. Whether its a cold wet winter morning, or warm summer night, rarely do I pass the sculpture and not see someone having their photograph taken with the two figures, or interacting with the work of art.

The bronze sculpture was cast from the plaster original commissioned for the Festival of Britain. Two larger than life-sized women are seated on a plinth with a bowl between them. The plaque is set on the walkway before it reads: "London Pride" Frank Dobson (1886-1963). Commissioned for The Festival Of Britain 1951. Given by Mary Dobson 1987 and placed on the South Bank. Assisted generously by Lynton Property & Reversionary Plc and The Henry Moore Foundation. Arts Council Of Great Britain.

While receiving many prodigious commissions, Frank Dobson was not as well known to the British public as his contemporaries Henry Moore, Jacob Epstein and Barbera Hepworth.

The photograph on the right was taken last Wednesday morning as I walked along the South Bank, and shows the British comedian Sean Lock having his photo taken next to the two, appropriately clad figures. Sean Lock is a frequent guest on the popular TV panel game QI, and won the British Comedy Award in 2000.

Bad taste

2008-01-28T09:42:00.000Z

Two weeks ago I attended a private viewing at an art gallery. When leaving guests were presented with a small box containing four very exclusive handmade chocolates.

Lying in bed last night I asked Mrs YesBut, "where are the chocolates?"

"What chocolates?"

"The ones I brought home two weeks ago"

"Oh those, I ate them"

"When?"

"Last week"

"You didn't offer me one"

"No I put them in a sandwich"

"Did you say sandwich?"

"Yes"

"A sandwich!"

"Yes why?"

"No, nothing, but a sandwich. What did they taste like?"

"I could only taste the achar"

"Wait, your telling me you made a sandwich out of handmade chocolates, which you covered in garlic tasting, hot spicy peppered, mustard oil soaked gunk!"

"Yes, what's wrong with that?"

"Goodnight dear".

Offensive weapon

2008-01-25T02:17:00.000Z

I took the above photograph last week. I subsequently spoke to the photographer in the picture - she works for a company specialising in architecture photography, she was spending all day taking time lapse shots of the City of London. The 0ther two figures are Community Wardens, this was the third time that day she had been asked to prove her identity and give an account of what she was doing.

Last Saturday I walked around unchallenged taking shots with my G9 camera. Unfortunately the images were not as good as I desired, so Tuesday afternoon I retraced my steps in the hope of achieving better results.

But things were different, three times I was challenged by security staff. I knew the reason, even before they spoke.

"You've stopped me because I'm using a ******?"
"Yes".

What had made me such a security risk?

The photos taken were, above passengers waiting to board a London Underground train, and below part of the River Thames flood control barrier at sunset.

The difference between Saturday and Tuesday - as with the young photographer - I was using a tripod!

A hand-held G9 camera, no problem. A G9 attached to a tripod, judging from security personnel reaction it becomes as threatening as a weapon of mass destruction.

Reading various message boards and forums it can be seen photographers are increasingly being harassed by the police and security staff, particularly if they are using tripods.

Its still not against the law in the UK to photograph in public - well in theory, in practice its a different story.

Memorial day - 33

2008-01-23T10:49:00.000Z

The subject of today's Memorial Day blog is one of my lifelong heroes. Its difficult to put into context his achievements. It took thousands of NASA scientists, engineers and managers to get a man to the moon - just imagine if that had been achieved by one man.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel achieved the equivalent of that in the development of the railway system in Victorian Britain.

In 1826, aged 20 he was appointed chief assistant engineer on his father’s project constructing the Thames Tunnel which runs between Rotherhithe and Wapping. Which is still one of the main road traffic crossings downstream of London.

But his greatest engineering achievement was the construction of the Great Western Railway - the mighty GWR. He was appointed chief engineer in 1833, to build a railway to connect London to Bristol and South Wales. He designed Paddington station as the terminus in London - a temple to the power of steam.

He was also jolly good at designing bridges the most iconic being the Clifton Suspension Bridge which spans the Avon Gorge.

If that wasn’t enough in 1837 he designed and built the Great Western, the largest steamship in the world. This was followed in 1843 by the even larger Great Britain, the first iron-hulled, propeller-driven ship to cross the Atlantic. She did the return trip to New York in 29 days compared to the average time of 2 months for sailing ships.

Its worth taking time to Google Isambard Kingdom Brunel ( isn’t that a great sounding name) and read about him. Many monuments have been erected in his memory, the one photographed is located at the junction of Temple Place, City of Westminster, and Victoria Embankment.

He achieved so much, but there is still one striking fact he was born 9 April 1806 and died 15th September 1859. He died just aged 53, but in his 33 years working life accomplished so much.

YesBut birds the word again

2008-01-21T11:11:00.000Z

For YesBut’s Image on 4th August 2007 Pope Terry 's posted the caption -

"if all these people weren’t around I could eat that pigeon"

The photo and caption suggested the story to me:

The last time I spoke to you I was at Paddington Station. I had to make a quick get away from there due to talk of a pigeon eradication program. I thought “well every cloud has a silver lining” (whatever that means, humans have sum stupid sayings - they say "birdbrain", they should be so lucky to have my brain).

Now where was I? Yes, I remember, having to make a quick exit from Paddington. Well I’d heard about Heathrow and the places you can go to from there, so I thought, right I’ll catch the Heathrow Express.

OK, OK I should have been more careful which train I got on. And OK I shouldn’t have drunk the beer spilt on the train floor. But from there on I’m not to blame.

I fell asleep. When I woke up the train had stopped, so I thought I’d arrived at Heathrow airport. How was I to know I’d got on the Great Western train to Wales. Finished up in, now let me think, always forget the name of the place, name something to do with birds? Yes, Swansea.

Well I looked around for a little bit, but didn’t think much of it. Thought lets get back to London. Tried to catch a train back but those people at the station were too smart for me. Demanded I bought a ticket. How did they expect a bird to buy a ticket? Stupid Swansea Jacks - I found out they call themselves Jacks, have you heard of anything so stupid - birdbrains.

Met some pigeons and asked their advice. They looked at me as if I was mad. They asked if I was a pigeon. What a stupid question, couldn’t they see my fine plumage - mind to be fair to them I had left myself go. Since that first drink of beer I’d acquired a taste for it. They said if I was a pigeon I’d be able to find my way home - just fly. So I did.

Well perhaps I wasn’t as fit as I should be, but after a couple of hours I was well and truly knackered. Had to land. Don’t ask me the name of the place, its got a lot of Ls’ in it. Learnt most Welsh town names are the same. Ll this and Ll that. And the pigeons here are a horrible lot. I hear them talking to each other in English, but as soon as they see me coming they switch to Welsh so I can’t understand them.

Hang on a minute, I don’t like the way the girl in red is looking at me, reckon she’s going to hit me with her umbrella.

Sorry I’m can’t stop here talking to you. I’m off.

Sky watch Wednesday on Friday

2008-01-18T22:26:00.000Z

Wednesday 16th January 2008, 07:23 am, sunrise over the City of London
and

Wednesday 16th January 2008, 04:16 pm sunset over the City of Westminster

Separated by a mile and nearly nine hours in time. The sun rose in the east over the City and set in the west over another of the cities that make up London, the City of Westminster.

London, the City of London, the City of Westminster all very confusing. Just like New York - its so nice they named it twice.

Really great skies the last couple of days, as can be seen from yesterday afternoon's posting.

London sky

2008-01-17T17:06:00.000Z

London, 4:20 pm, just after a heavy rain shower

Memorial day - 32

2008-01-16T17:09:00.000Z

Walking east along Fleet Street, towards St Paul's Cathedral, you might miss the entrance of a number of passageways. These are relics of old London. Between Oliver Bonas shop and Ye Old Cheshire Cheese is the entrance to Wine Office Court. Walk along the passage and you come to Gough Square, one of a maze of courtyards and passages that are a reminder of historic London. Standing in the north west corner is Dr Johnson’s House, one of the few residential houses of its age still surviving in the City of London. Built in 1700, it was a home and workplace for Samuel Johnson from 1748-1759, and it was there he compiled the first comprehensive English Dictionary.

Standing in the square on plinth is a 50 cm high bronze sculpture of a cat, by Jon Bickley. Dr Johnson's cat Hodge, sits on his masters dictionary, before him is an oyster shell - the contents of which we must assume he has consumed.

Action Take 2

2008-01-14T09:28:00.000Z

I was going to write - "a couple of weeks ago . . ." - but on checking I see it was back on the 16th December I wrote about Blackfriars Bridge, London, being used to film a movie.

Well they were back again on Saturday evening, filming until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Previously I speculated they were filming the yet to be named new James Bond film, though I did edge my bet by suggesting it could be the new Harry Potter.

Well unless master spies travel in a large wooden caravan drawn by four horses, then its not James Bond.

That leaves Harry Potter or some other fantasy film.

Any ideas?

I was amused to see, that even though it was raining, they were employing a rain making machine - guess they had to have the "right" type of rain.

2nd Post of the day: Friday sky - London

2008-01-11T16:42:00.001Z

We had heavy rain this morning - stopped before lunch.
This afternoon there were some dramatic threatening skies.

YesBut I didn't vote for him

2008-01-11T10:16:00.000Z

Democracy is imperfect
George W. Bush
say no more

Memorial day - 31

2008-01-09T12:33:00.000Z

The sculptor of both the Nelson Mandela memorials, described in Memorial day 24, was Ian Walters. Another of his works can be seen across the Thames from Parliament Square, in the Jubilee Gardens at the foot of the London Eye.

The International Brigade Memorial was unveiled in October 1985 by Michael Foot, one time leader of the Labour Party. The inscription on the front reads:

"INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE. In honour of over 2,100 men and women volunteers who left these shores to fight side by side with the Spanish people in their heroic struggle against fascism, 1936-1939"

The bronze sculpture shows a figure being lifted up by four other smaller figures. The main figure is larger and has a blindfold or bandage across its eyes and around its head. The left hand is missing, severed at the wrist; the right hand trails on the ground palm up.

The arms of the four smaller figures, two on each side, combine together to cradle the dying figure, raising it up. On the left side the arms of the smaller figures are raised, palm open, in an upward defensive gesture; on the right side a hand is raised in the defiant, clenched fist salute of the Republican cause. From a distance the arms and hands look like wings stretching upwards to the sky to lift the fallen figure.

I should mention a personal connection, albeit very very tenuous, with the sculpture. It might have been late 1983 or 84 walking across Jubilee Gardens I was approached by a man with a camera and a long stick. He explained he was a sculptor who was making a memorial to be positioned in the gardens. He wanted to take a photograph to judge the scale of the monument in relation to the adjacent (then Greater London Council HQ office, now hotel, aquarium, etc, etc,) building. Some where there exists a photo of YesBut holding a tall stick.

London Eye

2008-01-08T08:51:00.000Z

In response to Alphone's question - "What is the London Eye?". I am posting some photographs, taken back in 2000, soon after the Eye came into service.

Eye pod

Looking east towards the "City of London". The Royal Festival Hall can be seen in the foreground. St Paul's Cathedral in the middle distance.

Looking west up the Thames.

The Houses of Parliament.

Irrational dislike

2008-01-07T09:29:00.000Z

I really dislike walking across Waterloo Bridge.

I really dislike walking across Westminster Bridge. But that's perfectly rational, its such an unpleasant experience. Trying to make your way along the pavement congested with tourists standing in the middle, having their photograph taken with the backdrop of Big Ben or the London Eye. Then there are all the touts selling: honey roasted peanuts or smuggled cigarettes. Then there's the group of Chinese who make postcard holders out of aluminium wire bent in the shape of the purchasers name - please write your name on paper, oh sorry wire too short for Isambard Zaccarious Moonwalker.

But there's no rational reason for my antipathy towards Waterloo Bridge. In reality Waterloo Bridge offers one of the best views of St Paul's Cathedral and the City of London. And in the winter months you can see some brilliant sunsets - even the Kinks had a hit song about them.

The view west in the night is breathtaking. Click here to see.

Anthony McCall

2008-01-04T19:18:00.000Z

I might get myself in trouble posting today's blog - because you are not allowed to take photographs in the Serpentine Gallery.

But what the heck, I think the current exhibition, which closes on 3rd February, is so brilliant I urge you to go and see it.

In a darkened room three dimensional light beams are projected. Standing enveloped by the light you can see the swirl of patterns generated by a smoke haze.

Memorial day - 30

2008-01-02T09:14:00.000Z

David Batchelor's popular festive lights display Festival Remix has returned to the Southbank Centre London for the Christmas, New Year season.

The works include neon-outlined concrete mixers, a waste skip full of lights and colourful recycled bottles.

Through his artwork David Batchelor explores the concept of colour as a unique phenomenon: how colour’s omnipresence in everyday experience transcends function and aesthetics to create its own symbolic orders. In 2008 his 'Found Monochromes' series will be included in 'Color Chart' at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – a major exhibition of post-war colour-based work.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T09:04:00.000Z

Happy New Year everybody.

The rain at midnight did not put a damper on the super spectacular firework display at the London Eye, which welcomed in 2008.

Fortunately it held off for the 22nd New Year's Day Parade London. These are some of the photographs I took.

What a poseur!

I can't see!

Apologies for the image quality but it gives an indication of the sound of the parade.

And the bands played on

Full steam ahead

Stop clowning around

I'm only here for the ride.

I wonder how long this is going on for?

Waiting to move off

Two hours after the parade started, the final band moved off.

Boys' toys

2007-12-31T11:39:00.000Z

The last couple of days I haven't spent much time in blogland - other distractions

Last Thursday - I think it was Thursday, that's the trouble with the Christmas /New Year period, days merge - I bought myself a new toy, a Canon G9 camera. I'm afraid I haven't got any shots to show you - still working my way through the 273 paged instruction manual. The display on the LCD monitor looks more like the cockpit of a Eurofighter jet than a camera - my old box camera only showed the number of photographs taken.

I reckon after I have worked out when to use Raw data and ND filter, not to mention AE lock and AF frame, I will be able to take my first photograph in about three days. But then I've got the 88 page Software Starter Guide to work my way through, before I will be able to download the images to my computer.

Perhaps it would have been better to have bought one of those disposable cameras!

Spot the connection

2007-12-28T11:43:00.000Z

Thank goodness it's over for another year - the turkey finished,
the batteries in the kids toys dead,
the relatives gone home.

Peace perfect peace.

But what to do know? Nothing worth watching on TV! Don't feel like going for a walk.

How about doing a puzzle?

The photos are details taken from photographs posted in My Shared Images and this blog in the last seven days.

What are the photos?

What is the link between the two?

What other photo posted this week shares the same link?

Memorial day - 29

2007-12-26T18:53:00.000Z

People plant trees in memory of loved ones.

The Christmas Tree in London's Trafalgar Square is of historical significance.

Since 1947 a tree has been given annually by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance provided during the years 1940 ~ 1945.

Ephemeral art

2007-12-24T17:06:00.000Z

The photograph was posted on My Shared Images

It was a cold wet Monday afternoon in early November, London's South Bank was blessedly free of tourists. Passing by Festival Hall I saw two figures under the Queen Elizabeth Hall podium - this area is normally crowded with skateboarders, trick-cyclists and graffiti artists. One was spraying while the other watched.

I stopped to watch as he meticulously applied the final touches to his painting. I was struck by the time and effort invested in the work - particularly as the graffiti would not be seen by many, or last very long. A Tag painted on the wall lasts on average at most a few days, before it is covered by another tag, or the daub of some paint toting young yob. I was inquisitive to know - what was his motivation.

I went to speak to the artist, who turned out to be a German visiting London for the day. Why paint graffiti? Why not put his obvious talents to another form of painting?
The answer was simple - it's what I do.
But it will only last a few hours.
It doesn't matter, I know for a few hours my work will have appeared on a wall in London.

At the time I couldn't understand the motivation, but on reflection I realise a large section of performance art is ephemeral - music, ballet and drama. Appreciated by the audience at the time of the performance, then just a memory.

The next morning I walked past the wall and as anticipated the graffiti had been obliterated by another.

The photo on the right? Well that's what the same piece of wall looked like yesterday afternoon - but there's a good chance its already been painted over by more graffiti.

As I said in Friday's blog "Artists give a representation of perceived reality", so it is with graffiti - we live in a disposable world.

The answer

2007-12-21T16:15:00.000Z

In the blog on the 26 November I sought to address the question what am I trying to convey with my photos posted on My Shared Images?

Last Saturday evening while watching the final program in Channel 4's series "This is Civilisation" I had an epiphany, a realisation not only of the answer to my question, but the underlying intent of modern art.

Artists by means of the visual arts give a representation of perceived reality. In former times there was no ambiguity - we were made in the image of God, who we should worship. The Christian church was the main patron of artists, to represent the reality it wanted the populace to perceive.

With the, if not demise, certainly reduction in the role of religion in daily life; art now has to address a new reality. But what is that reality? There is no clear answer. In fact we live in a World of uncertainty - global warming, lack of a faith system, and in the Western World a life driven by consumerism. Modern art reflects that. For the first time ever the price of living artists work is greater than those of the Old Masters! Looking at a piece of modern art there is no obvious meaning being conveyed, other than ambiguity.

Through my photographs, I hope, I encourage the viewer to realise the multiple levels of meaning that exist, all of which are relative and not absolute. As in the above photograph reflections provide sufficient distortions to raise questions of what is being seen.

The camera does not lie, neither does it tell the truth. The viewer provides the label and judgement, of what they think they are looking at.

Am I succeeding in meeting that objective? Click here and judge for yourself.

Memorial day - 28

2007-12-19T08:49:00.000Z

Women of World War 2 statue, the subject of last weeks blog, is the work of the sculptor John Mill. Another of the 74 year old London born artists work is the subject of today's blog.

One of the iconic images of World War 2, shows the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, the night sky behind it is light up by the flames of London dockland burning during a German bombing raid. How appropriate that now within the cathedrals shadow stands UK Blitz - The National memorial to the fire-fighters who died during World War II.

The work was unvailed by the Queen in May 1991.The sculpture tells the story of three firemen, a sub-officer and two branch-men in action as in any great fire any where in the country during the blitz. The interdependence of these men and their comradeship, so typical of this service, intensified by the horror of welfare on the home front, gives the reason for this compact grouping. The uniform and details of the posture and method of holding the branch hose are those of that time. The style of lettering used around the octagonal base,to list the 1,027 names of men and women who died, is the same as that used on the wartime ration book.

Looking at not through

2007-12-17T11:07:00.000Z

I returned last Wednesday after spending two weeks in Holland. I had intended to spend the time photographing house windows. House windows! Why?

I am intrigued by the glaring contradiction between the Dutch liberal attitude to sex and drugs, and their steadfast conformity and uniformity when it comes to the "face of their homes", they want to project.

The little gardens in front of their houses are laid out in neat geometric patterns which are meticulously manicured. While the windows have to be adorned by pots and plants. But importantly the objects have to be precisely and uniformly placed.

Well that had been the planned photographic project. Why is it all my "Master Plans" fail before starting. In this case on the second day in Holland Mrs YesBut and myself managed to contract the dreaded "oh-be-joyful" bug. As a result I spent the first week vomiting and - enough too much information!

The second week, and by then 2kg lighter, I did manage to get out to take some shots - see a sample below.

Second thoughts

2007-12-16T20:57:00.000Z

It might not be Bond 22 but Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

But what the heck, what does YesBut know about such things?