Into London for a fairly new tour, this time at the Piccadilly Circus hub. You start off by one of the least used exits and make your way into the concourse getting a history lesson along the way. There is an old map in the concourse area and directly opposite a tribute to Frank Pick.
World clock map, it had been restored to working order.
Here I felt that we should have been shown around the concourse a lot better before descending down the stairs to the hidden tunnels. There is a fair amount of unique 1920s architectural features to point out. The tile work, pillars lights, a very unique world clock map was addressed. Maybe it would help to point out the location of where Stephen Bone’s mural was before it was lost. We then walked round to an area with a few small shops. However the majority of these seemed unoccupied, but the foot fall at the time didn’t look like it would help the matter.
Empty shop unit
The lead tour guide chose some steps next to a small shop and we descended down. This seemed mainly to not get caught up with other passengers. We made it down to the Northern Line platform where at one end we entered through a gated door.
This is where you enter and feel really off the grid, a feeling of, I shouldn’t be here. These tunnels and others around housed many of the peoples of London during the WW2 blitz. We were shown many photos of the people sleeping on the escalators as well. One photo looked a lot like St John Woods tube station. There was also a section of tunnel to house artworks to protect them from the bombing. These were transported from Dover Street (now Green Park) via a tube train for storage. Saw some abandoned lift shafts, round a bit more then the tour felt like it abruptly ended.
Looking the lift shaft.
This is the first time I feel that a Hidden London tour needs to be adjusted. But nevertheless, it was an interesting experience. Not as good as their Aldwych experience which is the one I recommend the most.
I only went for a short weekend break and flew out from London Airport, which is so much easier to deal with compared too large airports than Heathrow.
In Berlin I got a taxi from the airport to my hotel and it’s not cheap, €65 for a 35-minute trip did seem a lot to me. It was also the same back and I tried to pay with the card, but the taxi driver had no idea how to use his card machine!! Or did he??
My first evening I walked around the immediate area next to my hotel. It was cold but not too bad. There are works going on right next to the hotel for the whole area, Deutscher Dom and Konzerthaus were completely closed off. I then found a pub-restaurant where I had schnitzel and a large beer. Not bad a meal, but I couldn’t finish the beer as it was far too much.
Walking around in the evening.Look at the head on that beer!
The next day I walked over to the Brandenburg Gate had a little look around. On the way the city felt empty, walking in the centre of Berlin, large buildings empty streets. Walked past several embassies guarded by lots of police. By the gate was a tourist store and I brought myself a museums pass and walked up to the museum island. Probably boring to a lot of people but I went into the Deutsches Historisches Museum and had a wonder. I believe I was only in one part of the museum as the main museum was being overhauled.
Next, I walked across and went inside Berlin Cathedral had a good look and walked all the way to the top and around. The stairs were a little killing, but really not that bad. But I am still young…ish!
Berlin Cathedral
After I had lunch I visited the Altes Museum lots of Greek artefacts on display including an amazing life like bust of Caesar.
I was feeling somewhat warn-out so I walked back to my hotel and I asked the concierge to book me into what is described as one of Berlin’s top restaurants called Borchardt’s. In my book it said it was where diplomats and celebrities go to.
Sitting in the restaurant it really did feel like the place the Berlin elite go to. And there was one gentleman who was sporting a flag pin on his blazer, a diplomat? Sitting next to me was a couple who I can only describe as wearing high end clothing labels. I ordered fillet steak with sweet potato chips and a salad and the waiter picked a glass of red wine to go with my meal. For one person I paid €75 altogether.
The next day I first went to Checkpoint Charlie, had a look around and I read the boards. I didn’t actually go into the museum on the side as I wanted to go checkout the fairly new Spy Museum. It was a good bit of fun, I tried to do a few puzzles in there, but I really wasn’t very good! Would I even make a good spy?
After that I walked round to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews. An interesting piece of art in itself. From the exterior it looks like a graveyard, you enter and it feels like a maze. You really don’t see the deep middle from the top. To me it feels like the weight of humanity has left a scar here. A calm exterior, the wound underneath.
I then made my way back to museum island as I wanted to see the bust of Nefertiti. On the way I past a square, but I didn’t know the significands of what I was looking at until a lady told me what it meant. In the square was a glass window showing a room with shelves, but it was a representation of a library without books. This is the square where the Nazi’s did their book burning in the 1930s.
I finally go to the museum and started to wonder around and finally found the Nefertiti Bust, to see this is person, see the contours, the elegance, colours. It truly is a work of art. Anyone that goes to Berlin must see this antient piece of history. It truly is stunning. It’s not just the bust, but there are lots of fantastic historical items in the museum. I could easily visit this museum again.
My next stop was the TV Tower, it was already nearing 6pm and felt it was a getting on a bit and I didn’t want to late ticket they were offering to go up. So, I called it a day and walked back to the hotel. Maybe I can get up there on my next visit.
I was very sad to learn of the threat to close this beloved cinema. Over the last few years I am very happy to go and see old classics, obscure films with those childhood memories thrown in.
But the landlord wants to do what? Increase the rent, destroy what so many have loved. This is a part of the beating heart of Soho in London.
I arrived at Clapham South not knowing what to expect, I exited the station had a little walk into the park and back around meeting everyone to start the tour.
We slowly descended down the spiral staircase and made our way to the bottom. There was a gentleman there who was re-enacting as an original staff member during the time of the shelter. He gave us all a replica ticket, this would help us find our beds later.
We had our introduction and walked to a room which shows some of the bombs that fell on London. I never knew about a bomb called a butterfly bomb. That was certainly interesting to see.
Upon exiting this room, I noticed one of the top brass Chris Nix (curator for the London Transport Museum) had joined us. I said hello and we had a little bit of a chat as we went round the complex.
We walked back out and into another very large tunnel room. These rooms go on forever! We were told there are two miles of tunnels so you will certainly get your steps in at this location you have to do. They showed some pictures of the raised level of Clapham Common but when I enquired after, (was that the spoil from creating the tunnels) The lady said yes it was. So it seems Clapham Common once had raised level area’s after many digs to create the tunnels and then over time they had that taken away.
We walked all the way down and round into another tunnel, told to look at our tickets and then find our beds we were staying in. I noticed that I was standing right in front of my bed for the night. (Least I wasn’t really staying for the night! It’s spooky down there.) And there are multiple tunnels with different names with thousands of beds.
All the beds are on the right, but there were beds once attached to the left wall. So there would have been even less room to walk down the corridor. And there are many more tunnels like this.
After the war the tunnels became a cheap hotel to help the homeless and later the Windrush generation. After more knowledge consumed we carried on, found a lost teddy bear, the mess hall, James Bond’s secret layer and finally out. But then I had to get back up those stars. That really is a tough climb! As quick as I have written this, this wasn’t a quick visit either. It was a good 90 minutes walking, wondering and I really enjoyed it. These hidden London tours just seem to get better and better. This is a must for any WW2 fan, historian and schools really need to book in to visit as this will be an exceptional learning aid for young children to know what it was like during the war years.
Mess hall and uniform.
I had no idea there was also Campbell’s tea. I had their tomato soup before but apparently they still make the tea. Will have to buy myself some to try one day.
Some of the items found when the re excavated and explored these tunnels.
I hadn’t listened to any other reviews before going to see the film so I couldn’t be influenced by them. However, I might have been influenced by one in this write up.
Tom Hardy is back in his Eddie Brock, Venom persona and although loose, it also feels forced at times. We start off where the last film left us and they had that moment, are we going to New York to visit Spider-man? That doesn’t materialise, they bring in another character from that franchise in Knull voiced by non-other than Andy Serkis however did they really use the character? Knull sends his minions out, some black Ops guys are running amuck and some scientists with rather flat acting.
So, Eddie and Venom turns out are a key to unlock Knull and are on the run from the authorities for murder. They end up in the Nevada desert rather quickly hunted by one of the minions and then bump into a family who are out searching for aliens.
I didn’t quite get this whole setup, a family searching for, are aliens are real. In a universe where an alien snapped everyone out of existence to be returned five years later. In a universe where there was a massive alien army that invaded New York during the Avengers film. I can’t fault Rhys Ifans acting here or that of the actors of his family. Them and Tom Hardy are the only ones that felt natural. The rest of the acting felt somewhat falsed.
I ask did marvel forgot that they already used Rhys Ifans as Dr Connors who turned himself into a Lizard. Who knows!
We then end up in to Las Vegas which seemed to be an excuse to get to the character Mrs Chen, who for some reason went to running a small convenient store to a high stakes roller being put up in the top room at the hotel! How did that happen?? And the dance? The last dance… Did they really put much thought into that?
Straight back into the desert and straight to Area51 where we have the epic battle. Interesting battle and then it’s all over.
It’s a watchable film, but overall just felt lacklustre at times.
I got myself a ticket on the Eventbrite app to go Mudlarking on the Thames which is run through the Thames Explorer Trust.
The day started off very cold, but got very nice rather quickly and a sunny day it was. I took the train down to Blackfriars and walked along to Millennium Bridge waiting there a bit, met a few people and we started off with a talk on history and what we can find and off we went.
Down diretly under the bridge we went onto the foreshore. I walked up and down the area to have an explore around and there was a hell of a lot of building debris around from different types of bricks to roof tiles. In amongst all that were loads of different types of shards of pots. A lot of animal bones scattered around, (at least I hope it was all animal!). Various different bits of glass, many washed to rounded edges from the tide. I had an interesting time. But the jig is, you can’t take anything home.
I will have to apply for a permit myself. However this is what I found.
I rather liked the London gin bottle with London written on it. (I assumed it was suppose to be London considering it’s the city I found it in!) A few bits of pottery and the old bottle top which looks rather like one a codd-neck which would have had a marble in.
London gin bottle
Alas I had to leave it all on the shore to wash away. Guess I will have to get a permit for a year so I can take some finds home.
All in all, an interesting few hours on a nice sunny day.
On now in the British Museum until the 23rd February is the Silk Roads exhibit which gives you an insight into the silk trades and way beyond. This is more about the connection, evolution and expansion of empires across this vast route.
All traders from all walks of life and what are they trading? Cloths, silks, pottery, precious gems, silver, gold and spices. In turn the wealth build trade settlements along the route and the route expands to already established settlements.
The exhibit takes you for a wonder from Japan, through China into middle Asia, all the way to Europe and Africa. There are some sad realities like the fact slaves were traded also, with incredibly well-preserved letters of slaves passing from one hand to another. This was partly due to the expansion of the Muslim empire into Africa and Europe which in turn pushed a dominant Buddhism out of Asia and Islam to take hold on the lands. This also transforms type of trades.
As you near the end of the exhibit you see some treasures from the Sutton Hoo collection. A burial in England where gems had come as far from Sri Lanka. And this was done thousands of years ago.
I was slowing waking up at around 5:30am and start looking at my the news on my phone. People are rioting in my country and I ask why, because a young boy for some reason killed children in a senseless attack in Southport near Liverpool.
There really is no need for violence, but what makes it worse are these people who are dishonouring their grand parents and great grand parents and family who fort against against the nazi’s in WW2. We fort for our right to live, for our peace and our liberty.
These values are why we have an influx of people to the UK, because they generally come from a lot worse place. A place where the simple freedoms we have and fort for don’t exist. Where other countries have failing economies Britain has always been stable. We welcome hard working people. Those that can help contribute and build a better future.
Those that come, who don’t follow the rules and commit crime. I would gladly send back. But if you can adapt, listen and learn. Then welcome.
But for those native people of Britain who feel its your duty to cause mayhem. Have you even considered the damage you’re doing. Weakening the fabric of a local area, weakening its economic value. This affects the value of homes and businesses in these areas you attack. Causing the tax payer money to be diverted into policing you.. the tax payer! Your own taxes into policing yourself. Unless you’re one of those unemployed people who are on benefits, because you’re too lazy to go out and work. Angry at the system you haven’t been taught to navigate. So are out on a rampage! WAKE UP! Look in the mirror. Please remember what we should really be fighting for and against. Not this madness of unneeded mayhem.
It’s not just Britain that has this problem, I see right wing elements in Europe and America too. We as a world fort against this over 80 years ago it’s time to be less fragmented and unify against these ideals.
Often I’ve been to Kew Gardens, which seems to be turning into a yearly ritual, I will walk all the way around. There is a spot I like to sit at and the view has interested me for a while. Right across from this view point is a little-known place called Syon House.
I finally got there and little it is not. It feels hidden away but as you walk down and through the entrance you are greeted with a long driveway up to a house that looks like a castle, that is palatial inside. Owned by the Duke of Northumberland this estate sits in the leafy green Brentford part of London.
The house sits on a former church site and the catacombs still exist under the house. The main entrance of the house The Great Hall is kind of a love story to ancient Rome. You follow through into an Ante Room of a completely different colour scheme, made up of composite marble, like the film studios use today when making film sets. There is a sense of grandeur through-out the house with that ancient Roman Greek design by the famous James Adam who after his grand tour of Italy brought a number of styles back with him.
The Anti Room follows through into the Dining Room. This room is far more subtle in colour with white walls and gold leaf designs and the traditional solid oak stained floor. The next room is the Red Drawing Room, far more opulent with an intricately decorated celling. There is a lot softer feel to the room as the walls are lined with material instead of paint. And a large Axminster rug to disguise the hard wood floor.
By now you would have made it through to the Long Gallery serving as a library with many books. The fades of time are very much felt here, the colours are very faded. Was it once a pearl sky blue?
Don’t forget to inspect all the painting on your way around, painted by the famous artists of the day. Plenty of Van Dyke’s around!
I had viewed many more rooms and then I exited to wonder round to have a look at the Great Conservatory which is on par in design as Kew Gardens, but not as jam packed with plants. Entering this area I was greeted with perfectly maintained grounds, a sea of ferns on one side and a perfect bed of meadow flowers on the other. There are areas of the grounds that need work on, but what a relaxing day out. Although I was worn out by the end.
The reason I call this a hidden gem, well there can’t have been more than 20 people around wondering around. I don’t believe Syon House is advertised and for such a beautiful estate. I guess everyone is at Kew.
On Monday 8 July 2014 after some time of archiving and moving out goodness knows what. The British Museum has decided to open the doors of the old Reading Room to show the public with a few plaques of famous historic names of past visitors.
Books and archives all the way round synonymous of the old British ideal. And a beautiful dome room to match.
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