Stop

One Word Sunday “Now I stop my ears with wax, hold fastthe memory of the song you once whispered in my ear.Its echoes tangle like briars in my thick hair.“

Going Underground

I’ve recently finished reading an excellent book called London Under, written by historian and London history Guru, Peter Ackroyd. It’s a fascinating look at life below the City’s streets. Some facts I knew and some were a complete surprise. I’ve been fascinated by what’s below our streets from an early age, my interest being piqued…

“It’s a coffee table book”

That’s how I usually explain away a purchase when it first arrives. As if anyone other than me is going to delve into a copy of a 19th century London street guide or a pamphlet on City of London churches. The thing is that over the last few weeks it’s becoming increasingly hard to actually…

Poetic

One Word Sunday The statue of JB gazing up at the magnificent roof at St Pancras is a tribute for the work he put in during the 1970s to help save the fabric of the station and the Midland Grand Hotel from demolition. Middlesex by John Betjeman Gaily into Ruislip GardensRuns the red electric train,With a…

ABC of City of London Wards

This is the forth post about the wards that make up the the City of London. These links will take you to the post about Aldersgate, Aldgate, Bassishaw. The City of London is divided into 25 wards. These wards are a survival of the medieval governmental system that allowed very small areas to exist as self-governing units within the…

John Donne, Heaven or Hell?

I must admit I’m not strong on the Metaphysical poets, but when I came across the statue of John Donne on the south side of St Paul’s Cathedral I thought I’d better take a look at some of his poetry. Not really my cup of tea on examination, however I did take a look at…

Metroland Memories

Just a quick post this morning, brought on by listening to a CD (ask your parents) in my collection of poems by John Betjeman. This one has stuck in my head so I suppose it could be classed as an earworm. Here’s a link to hear the man himself recite it on YouTube Middlesex by John…

My Hero

“Oh yes she/he is one of my Heroines/Heros”. I made a list of mine the other day (Lockdown allows you to do these sorts of things). Mine sort of sit in the fantasy dinner party thing, people that you would like to sit around your table and hold sparkling conversation and make the evening go…