More on Westminster

On my way from the office to the tube (if I'm not cycling) I often walk past this beautiful street, known as Lord North Street, that seems to really embody the traditional image of London. I've been walking past, often hopeful that I will be able to capture the street car free, but in all reality that's never going to happen, especially as I'm only there between the hours of 9 and 5, the daily grind.

Most recently on walking past, it was one of those early evening, autumnal moments that was so calm and so beautiful. The light was lovely and it had rained earlier in the afternoon so the ground was damp and the air was crisp with autumn so I took my chances and snapped a pic or two with my phone.

At the end of this lovely street is Smith Square that houses a stunning church and one where I spend the odd sunny afternoon on the steps, eating lunch and reading a book and although it sounds idyllic, this is never a solitary affair as when the sun shines in London, office workers burst forth and colonise every inch of green/step/pavement in an effort to bask in the rays and up their vitamin D.
I confess I've never yet been inside this church but I am always so in awe of it. It's somehow imposing and yet inviting and I always find something reassuring about the architecture of churches, home and abroad. There's also a restaurant in the basement which I also haven't to been but I'll update you once this has been rectified. It certainly promises to be something of a hidden gem of a place.
Anyway, to the detail - while ambling along this street recently I saw on the brickwork of the beautiful houses faded paint signs pointing to 'shelters in this street'. They are, of course, a relic of wartime Britain and how wonderful to see the paint still there even if the shelters to which they point have long since been either blocked off  or converted into plush basement offices or apartments I couldn't see for sure without un petit tresspass.

A little research didn't reveal a great deal more info about these old signposts to safety but the font of knowledge that is wikipedia tells me that previous residents of the street have included Harold Wilson and that the street is named after the 2nd Earl of Guilford, Frederick North, who was known for most of his life under his courtesy title Lord North, and was Prime Minister from 1770-1782. Smith Square is also a conservation area, with good reason. 

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Discovering Westminster

About six months ago I took a job in Westminster, just around the corner from the Abbey where Kate and Wills got hitched. Since then it's become more of a stomping ground for me and I've enjoyed exploring the area and discovering new places and details. Westminster has to be one of London's busiest tube stops and it's always a bit of a hassle negotiating through the hordes of tourists and commuters in an effort to be on time, I am always late for work.
I've noticed the Taxi lamp a couple of times but I never really considered the reason for it being there until, walking to the tube of an evening, I saw it flashing and then, the penny dropped. It's a way for the police that guard the Houses of Parliament to signal to passing black cabs that an MP or Lord needs a taxi. The taxi is then allowed through the barriers into the separate lane of traffic that goes straight up to the Houses of Parliament. It actually made me stop in my tracks. Amazing. That is all.

Here it is

So, welcome to my blog about life in London. London and I have had a rocky relationship these past few months and I'm determined to get back that lovin' feeling. I've lived here for six years since I moved here as a student, and most of that time I've loved it and I still do, but recently I've become increasingly disillusioned. I know I'm not the only one and I know this deep disappointment I'm feeling isn't just about the city, it's more political than that and I'm not going to go into it here, plenty of people are doing it already. There are so many things to be fed up with or pissed off about that I've decided to write this blog as a way of helping me re-discover the city, my faith in people and an outlet for the occasional rant, of course.
My main purpose is to explore London more, the hidden nooks and crannies and to spot the little details that so often go un-noticed. Hopefully, it will lead to some interesting discoveries about London, its people and its eccentricities and maybe even uncover a few stories along the way. I want to be a bit more open to all that London has going for it, all the cultures, all the people that live here, it's so diverse. We're all guilty of being grumpy to the point of ridiculousness on the tube, in rush hour, packed in like sardines, well I am like that off the tube, a lot of the time. I am known for being pretty grumpy really, I like to call it 'no-nonsense' but really, I am a grumpy sod - I think I get it from my Dad!
I'm not going to say this will exclusively be about London, there's bound to be some other stuff thrown in but all with a London theme.