Category Archives: London

Sportsthoughts (172) – Happy Hammers’ East End party

Posted on June 10, 2023 by John S

On Wednesday 7 June West Ham did something that they haven’t done since 1980, when I was still at university. They won a major trophy. In 1980 it was the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1-0 with a Trevor Brooking header … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Orchids at Kew Gardens

Posted on February 8, 2023 by John S

Kath and I went to Kew Gardens today to see the Orchids exhibition in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. It opened on 4 February and runs until 5 March. It’s an annual show, but it was the first time we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Thames Journey: (10) From Westminster Bridge to London Bridge

Posted on January 28, 2023 by John S

For this, the tenth stage of our Thames journey, we travel quite a short distance – 2.3 miles along the north side – but one that takes us through the heart of London, old and new. We ended last time … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thames Journey, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

lovelondonscenes 173 – A walk from Blackfriars to Hackney Wick in the winter sunshine

Posted on December 10, 2022 by John S

On Thursday it was chilly – 2 degrees at most – but gloriously sunny. Dave, Jon E and I had arranged a walk that started with breakfast at the Table cafe in Southwark Street, and ended in Hackney Wick, which … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Thames Journey: (9) From Hammersmith to Westminster

Posted on August 15, 2022 by John S

In the previous episode of this story, the story of the Thames’ journey from source to estuary, we ended at Hammersmith Bridge, just as it had re-opened to pedestrians and cyclists. I published that piece last September – where have … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thames Journey, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Walking the Wandle

Posted on February 13, 2022 by John S

The River Wandle is one of those well-kept London secrets – unless, of course, you happen to live close by. For me, until recently, it was simply a river that flowed into the Thames in Wandsworth, in south-west London. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Canal and River life, London, Photos | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The “Put it to the People” march, central London, 23 March 2019

Posted on March 23, 2019 by John S

Like a million or so other people, I went to the Put it to the People march in central London today. Ostensibly a march for another referendum, the mood was much more about cancelling the whole Brexit thing right now. … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

My novel “The Decision” is now on Amazon and Kindle!

Posted on November 15, 2018 by John S

Regular readers of this blog will know that I first published “The Decision” in March this year. It’s now on Amazon and Kindle. See the link here or at the end. “The Decision” is a dystopian political tale set in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, London | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Hanwell Hootie 2018

Posted on May 13, 2018 by John S

Saturday 12 May. Hanwell Hootie 2018 already! This is the music festival in West London where a lot of the local pubs open their doors to a variety of bands, some local, some quite young, others much-travelled and well-established. It … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sounds of London

Posted on March 3, 2018 by John S

A while back I put together a New York songs playlist. Well, if New York, then why not London too? Two of the great cities – very different and very similar. And one of the similarities is that they are … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments