A Good Day Out In A Wheelchair
I have a friend, who is not the best on her feet. As she was in London on business and wanted to see Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain and I have a Membership at the Tate, which allows me to take a guest into any of the exhibitions at any time, I took her to see the pictures.
We arrived at Tate Britain in a taxi at the side entrance and in the entrance one of the staff indicated we could use the wheelchair in the entrance hall.
Judging by the number of similar chairs, I saw, it wasn’t the only one, but possibly the last one yesterday at that time.
So I pushed my friend around the exhibition, which because it was timed entry, although not for Members, wasn’t that busy.
I’d never pushed a good wheelchair before and it was surprisingly easy.
But what surprised me, was the helpfulness of Tate staff, who a couple of times cleared a way through the crowds, so I could push my friend through.
We were even able to use the Members Room, where I got another surprise. They now do gluten-free sandwiches and egg was on the menu! So I indulged!
At the end of the visit, we walked to the front of the Tate, where there were at least four waiting taxis, one of which took us to my friend’s hotel.
By the end of the day, the designer in me, was saying that had all been well thought out.
I wonder if other museums and galleries are so disabled-friendly.
Eduardo Paolozzi At Tottenham Court Road Tube Station
Eduardo Paolozzi‘s mosaics are now back in Tottenham Court Road tube station.
This article on Global Rail News describes how they were installed.
It’s a pity, that there are not more to cover the new white walls, which are there because the station has been expanded for Crossrail.
Summoned By Bells
When I saw the pictures of the new bells for Southwark Cathedral, I just had to go and have a look.
It was just as well I did, as after the dedication yesterday, they will not be on view, but hanging in the belfry.
The Bridges Of Walthamstow
I have been meaning for some time to walk the route of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line (GOBlin) between Walthamstow Central station in Selborne Road to Blackhorse Road station.
But now the line is closed for electrification work, I thought it would be an appropriate time to do it, taking photographs as I walked.
To cross all the bridges, I was constantly doubling back on myself, using a route of.
- West on Selborne Road.
- Right onto Vernon Road
- Left onto Walthamstow High Street
- Right onto Palmerston Road
- Left onto Northcote Road
- Right onto Pretoria Avenue
- Right onto Warner Road and back to Northcote Road
- Left onto Palmerston Road
- Left onto Walpole Road, Suffolk Park Road and The Links
- Right onto Pretoria Road
- Left onto Forest Road
After a short detour to look at the bridge on Blackhorse Road, I arrived at the station, where I took a bus alongside of the GOBlin to Tottenham Hale station.
This Google Map shows Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road stations, and the portion of the GOBlin in the area.
The Bridges Of Walthamstow
Note in both the photographs and the map.
- There are eleven bridges including those at Blackhorse Road and Selborne Road.
- Most seem to be in good condition, with Palmerston Road having been recently replaced and others looking as if they have been thoroughly refurbished.
- Only Suffolk Park Road and Stoneydown Avenue Bridges have restrictions on access.
- It would appear that the track going towards Blackhorse Road has been lifted and laying of new track has started at that end.
- There does appear to be some new sheet piling to stabilise the cutting.
- There is ample space on both sides of this section of the line to erect the masts and gantries for the overhead wires.
- I wonder what William Morris would think of the bridge designs.
- I can’t find any information on whether more work needs to be done on the bridge at Suffolk Park Road, except a mention of new public art from 2015.
So in this section at least, it doesn’t appear that there’ll be much problem putting up the overhead wires for the electrification.
Simple Art At Blackfriars Station
I’ve been through Blackfriars station many times and have never noticed this art before.
Simple Art At Blackfriars Station
All of the bricks have the names of stations served by trains from the old Blackfriars station.
It must be the only place where Baden-Baden is next to Beckenham.
The Tate Modern Extension
The Tate Modern Extension is coming on.
There does seem a lot of work to do for opening next year!
Abraham Cruzvillegas At The Tate Modern
I took these pictures at the new Abraham Cruzvillegas installation in the turbine hall at the Tate Modern. It is called Empty Lot
I quite like it and it’ll be interesting to see if it grows on the visitors!
I shall be going back!
The Kröller-Müller Museum
The Kröller-Müller Museum contains an art collection. It is set in The National Park de Hoge Veluwe, near Arnhem.
The gallery contains examples of many great painters and is surrounded by sculpture displayed in a wooded landscape.
Wot No Adverts!
I took this picture at Kings Cross station.
Wot No Adverts!
It was a surprise and probably to be welcomed in some ways.
However, although I don’t like advertising, unless it is informative about a new film or play, say, I did miss something to read, as I went up the escalator.
Now that these adverts are often screens, I’m surprised that no-one has developed an art installation using them.
The Falkirk Wheel
The Falkirk Wheel was the destination of the walk.
I think it is impressive. But is it art, engineering or a spectacular solution to lifting boats between two canals?. Wikipedia says this about the purpose of the lift.
The wheel raises boats by 24 metres (79 ft), but the Union Canal is still 11 metres (36 ft) higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel. Boats must also pass through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world.
It is also unique.
This Google Map gives a view looking down on the area.
Falkirk Wheel
The Forth and Clyde Canal, which runs across the top of the picture is thirty five metres lower than the Union Canal that runs along the bottom.
Perhaps we should create more spectacular machines like this. In the same class, I would include, these from the UK, that I have seen.
All are different in their own way. But certainly at the Falkirk Wheel on a sunny Sunday afternoon, kids of all ages had gathered to watch.
The Anonymous Widower 