Something Concrete About Cycle Safety
I was waiting for a bus, when I heard a voice repeating.
This lorry is turning left.
It turned out it was a recorded message on this cement lorry.
Something Concrete About Cycle Safety
I think it could be a good idea. Except for deaf cyclists.
Farewell To Central London’s Biggest Eyesore
Years ago, I wrote a silly but quite funny love letter to C. At least she told me it was funny. In it I mentioned Battersea Power Station and how it was used as a last line of defence, with platforms on the chimneys. That must have been about 1966 or so, and in those days the power station was still generating electricity as it did until 1983.
It has not been a lucky building since!
London’s Biggest Eyesore
Like many power stations of the era, it was built for a short life and a productive one. I remember going over Cliff Quay power station in Ipswich, and being told that these buildings were built in brick without the soundest of foundations. Often though, like Battersea and Cliff Quay, they were designed by good architects and often featured decorative features inside. Strangely, the one building of this type, we have left, Bankside power station, doesn’t have an elaborate interior, although now it is the superb Tate Modern. Although according to Wikipedia, that could have gone to Battersea.
Scott’s other London power station is at Battersea and is widely considered a more iconic design, with its four towers. Battersea Power Station was proposed for the Tate Modern but, due to financial constraints and less dilapidation, the smaller Bankside building was chosen.
Scott was Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the designer of the red telephone box and the architect of Liverpool Cathedral. So perhaps it s fitting that one of his more utilitarian buildings is a home for modern art and design.
Does anybody know if there are any good examples of reusing power stations buildings around the world?
I can find two; one called The Power Plant in Toronto, Canada and another called The Power Station of Art in Shanghai.
But Battersea Power Station has not been served well by fate. It is almost falling down these days and I do wonder if it can be rebuilt economically. It seems to have disastrous affects on its developers.
But at least with George Osborne’s announcement of funding for the Northern Line Extension in the Autumn Statement, its days as an eyesore may well be numbered. But don’t uncross your fingers!
A Hat-Pin On The Overground
It’s strange what you see if you keep your eyes open.
I was travelling between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction stations, when I noticed a little round knob sticking out of the arm of the seat.
I pulled at it and it was a rather nice old-fashioned hat-pin.
All I can think is that it fell to the floor and someone found it. For safety they then stuck it into padding of the arm.
I handed it in at my destination and they seemed just as puzzled as I was.
But at least, it didn’t seem that it had done any damage.
Phyllis Is Deep Under Hyde Park, Digging Hard
This article is a good update on how the Crossrail tunnels are progressing.
There doesn’t seem to have been much protesting, so either the company has been lucky or it is doing a good job.
The First Train Leaves At 7:11
It would appear that the first Overground train between Highbury and Islington station and Clapham Junction station, by the new extended East London line, leaves on December 9th at 07:11.
I’ll be there. Even if I get on at Dalston Junction station.
I Don’t Believe It!
I’ve just checked the trains for Saturday to see if I can get to Ipswich for the Millwall game. And there are no buses, but a train all the way there and back.
Does this mean they’ve finished the upgrading of the catenary?
When I checked earlier in the year, this match was still down as one with buses.
Or did they take what I said seriously and feel that Millwall and Ipswich Town fans on buses together wouldn’t be a good thing.
After all, Greater Anglia are still saying here on their web site, that there is engineering work over the weekend. But none during the day on Saturday. Let’s hope they don’t drop a few spanners and bring back the dreaded buses.
Why Drive With Idiots Like This About?
High-powered black cars always seem to be driven by idiots, like the drivers in this report from the BBC. If I’m nearly run over at my local lights, it’s usually a black car. The last was a Bentley. Luckily for him, my shopping bag didn’t contain anything to throw at him like tomato sauce in a plastic bottle.
But the guys on the M1 weren’t so lucky, as two of them died.
At least on my trip to Bolton at the weekend, I was totally out of the way of idiots like this. In some ways it’s great not to drive any more and let the train take the strain. Or can’t we say that now after Savile?
Falling Out Of Love With Driving
The BBC is carrying a report about how we’re falling out of driving.
I had a stroke two years ago and my eyesight went, so I stopped driving. I could probably get my licence back, as my eyesight has improved, but I just don’t want the hassle.
I’ve moved from Suffolk to leafy Dalston in London and use buses and trains all the time now,
Do I miss driving? Not at all, despite my last car being a Lotus. My bank account doesn’t miss driving either!
HS2 Is A Good Idea
It must be as according to The Times, golfers are leading the protest against the line.
It Was Busy On The Cable Car
The Emirates Air-line was busy today, as the picture shows.
It Was Busy On The Cable Car
The caption says “Pharmacists – North London” if you can’t read it. It’s one of a series they show to the waiting passengers.
I suspect it was busy because of the clear weather. I took this picture looking towards the Heron Tower.
Looking Towards The City From The Emirates Air-Line
The Heron Tower is the one left of centre with the mast on top. There was also a good view of the Olympic Stadium and the Orbit.
The Olympic Stadium And The Orbit
My picture could be better though.
The Anonymous Widower 