My Backyard... Building Blocks

Today I was reading an interesting piece on Fevered Mutterings on what constitutes 'travel' and the premise that we tend to think about the packing of a suitcase, backpack or even overnight bag as an activity inextricably linked to travelling. 

When I think of travel, I think of going from point A to point B (which is the definition that comes to my mind given the Transport for London website exhorts me to 'travel by foot' for a portion of most of my journeys) but this is not a vision that will keep me going in the depths of winter darkness. Thank goodness Mike Sowden suggested that redefining travelling as 'venturing somewhere new' means it is right under our noses - that 'travel *is* our own backyard'.

And last Sunday it was my own 'backyard' that I ventured out into to have a gander around Old London Town. I'm not sure that under normal circumstances, I would be up for an architecturally themed stroll on a wintery Sunday morning but I enjoyed Blue Badge Guide Paula's trek around Shardlake's London so much last September that it was an easy and enthusiastic 'yes' when the flyer came through for her guided walk through Post-War City Architecture. 

So we started at Barbican tube station and followed Paula - and her post-war story - through the City of London. Here's what we saw...

Standing outside Barbican station on a crisp January morning

Following the bombing raid on London on 29th December 1940, much of Greater London was flattened. But contrary to wider plans, the City took its own view of its rebuilding and commissioned architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon to create urban villages for the working class...

The Golden Lane Estate was originally positioned outside the City boundaries until 're-zoning' brought it into the fold - perhaps that explains why a 2 bedroom apartment here goes for around £680,000.

...and the more affluent inhabitants of the City.

The Barbican Estate was opened in 1969 (that makes it as old as me) and stretches over a 40 acre site. It contains more than 2,000 flats, of which a 2 bedroom version will set you back about £900,000. Oh and check out the upside looking windows top right.

We then ambled around the back of the Museum of London, took a quick peek at the Pedway System (a scheme based on raised pedestrian walkways which never really took hold) then crossed London Wall to Wood Street.

Traditional building blocks adorn the home of the City's Police Force (yes, a separate force from that of Greater London). Standing with your back against the wall will give you a great view of the tower reflected in the building opposite.

The tower of St Alban stands in the centre of the street in stark contrast to the architecture around it and here the Norman Foster designed 100 Wood Street forms a geometric backdrop to Christopher Wren's deft touch. But walk through its checkerboard frontage and you'll find a veritable oasis. Soaring windows angled outwards bring light into the old churchyard and provide space for the old plane tree's leafy boughs.

Next it was a trot down Gutter Lane to emerge on Cheapside - crossing the road, we found ourselves standing in One New Change with this rather spectacular view...

The dome of St Paul's pierces the sky right opposite One New Change. Thirteen 'views' of the cathedral are protected by the London View Management Framework which prevents the construction of any buildings which may impinge on the view. There's even a protected view from Richmond Park's King Henry's Mound several miles away.

We headed out of One New Change and down to Bank Junction where the architectural contrasts abounded again.

This is No 1 Poultry: the street, like those around it (Milk Street, Bread Street) named after the market produce originally sold here. The building, designed by James Stirling for Peter Palumbo, carves a ship-like post modern silhouette against the sky and has caused much outcry from those - including Prince Charles - whose more conservative sensibilities it offends.

Turning from the post-modernist perspective, we found more traditional architecture clustered around the junction with the Royal Exchange (top left) and the Bank of England (bottom left) dominating the view.

We headed up Cornhill, our guide Paula setting a brisk pace...

The Leadenhall Building (the 'Cheesegrater') looms above the stone buildings along Cornhill while St Michael's doors (right) are tucked a few neat steps back from the street.

...and came to a stop on the corner of Leadenhall Street and St Mary Axe, finding ourselves both surrounded and dwarfed by edifices of steel and glass...

The famous Lloyd's of London 'inside out' building (right) was designed by Richard Rogers (who also designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris with Renzo Piano) on the site of both the previous Lloyd's building and before that, East India House. The construction style (called Bowellism) is notable for having its interiors - stairwells (spirals), restrooms - the boxes behind the piping which contain electrical and water conduits -  and air conditioning ducts easily accessible to ensure that building never need close due to any malfunction of its 'essential' services. This 1986 building was Grade I listed in 2011 much to the chagrin of Lloyd's (the listing means that the building cannot be changed in any way) so the insurance company's 'overflow' will be moved right across the road to...

...the Cheesegrater (official name The Leadenhall Building). Situated at 122 Leadenhall Street, this building is nearing completion and is expected to open in Spring this year.

And not to be outdone, just a stone's throw away stands The Gherkin.

The Gherkin's official name is the Swiss Re Building - or that's what previous owners Swiss Re insisted on. Another Norman Foster design and completed in 2003, 30 St Mary Axe was built on the site of the former Baltic Exchange which was damaged in a Provisional IRA bombing in 1992. I thought it seemed rather fitting that The Cheesegrater is within arms reach of The Gherkin...

And with that, it was a short walk to Bishopsgate and the end of our tour. Almost 3 hours (including what Paula likes to call a 'warming coffee break' at the Costa Coffee halfway point).

I strolled back towards Moorgate tube station filled with excitement at what a dynamic and fascinating city I live in. The time had flown by and I was so glad that I had dragged myself out of bed and braved the chill to explore this amazing 'backyard' of mine. I kept gazing around, wondering about the stories of the buildings that loomed over me and as I reached the intersection of London Wall and Moorgate again, I couldn't help but take just one last parting shot.

The old and the new right next to each other again.

I don't know their story. But I am sure it's fascinating.

Simply The 'Est'...

Well she's here.

Lil Chicky has been ensconced at Gidday HQ since Tuesday and we have been out and about rather a lot showing her the sights and making the most of what's on offer thus the lack of tap-tap-tapping.

I'll share more fun stories and gory details later but in the meantime, I thought I'd give my lovely Gidday-ers a whirlwind tour of our exploits so far.

Are you ready?

We've been to...

...the highest...


The highest steeple in England at Salisbury Cathedral 

...the tallest...

Europe's new tallest skyscraper The Shard overlooks the Thames and City Hall (the weird curved building front left)

...the oldest...

5,000 years of history at Stonehenge 

 

...the swankiest...

 Save your pennies for one of the most expensive apartments available in Knightsbridge

...the greenest...

 Beautiful Green Park (that bright shiny object is the sun)

...the royal-est...

 The gates at Buckingham Palace

 
...and the longest...

The world's longest running play, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap currently at St Martin's Theatre

...as well as celebrating a certain special birthday with a glass of vino or two...

Happy birthday to Lil Chicky...40 is definitely the new 30!

Day 6 looms ahead of us. We are off into town again today so who knows what adventures, stories, photos from Chicky Tours Unlimited will make tonight's Gidday Wine Review.

You'll just have to wait and see...

London's Hip Pocket..

Last Saturday I had one of those wonderful afternoons when I rediscovered a forgotten part of London.

After a lunch with the girls at the fabulous Banana Store, we emerged into the chilly air right in the midst of Southwark - the Catherdral rose grandly in front of us and with The Shard looming in the background, it was an amazing view of old and new.

Peeking around the corner we could see another nod to London's historic past.

The Golden Hind was the vessel that carried Frances Drake and his crew around the globe during the latter part of the 16th century and there is a full-sized replica of this berthed snugly at St Mary Overie Dock. Amazing to think that such a small craft carried a crew and supplies while it circumnavigated the world - it must have been cosy on board!

Just nearby are the remains of the Great Hall of the old Winchester Palace, built in the 13th century for the Bishops of Winchester.

 

And finally, not to be outdone, there was the famous Borough Market and we eagerly joined the late afternoon throng, milling around the stalls and soaking up the foodie atmosphere. We even added our own pecuniary contributions and came away with fresh produce to inspire the balance of our weekend eating - bread, fruit & veg, cheese, fish just to name a few of our respective vittels.

Gone fishing

Say cheese

That'll do donkey

This little piggy went to market

So that was my few hours exploring this jammed-packed hip pocket of London and I finally bundled myself on the tube home happily tired. Hope you've enjoyed your armchair tour and it inspires you to visit for yourself.

The Eye Of The (Sand)Storm...

Well here we are in 2013 and with it comes resolutions that for me, are just begging to be broken. But I have gathered the very best of all my intentions to fulfil a promise I made a couple of posts ago to give you all an overview of my visit to Sand Sculpting Australia's Under The Sea.

Custody changes during my Melbourne stay (of me from Mum to Lil Chicky and back again, the latter of these taking place in a car park) meant that uploading of photos for this post did not go as seamlessly as planned. But with perseverence - and a return to Gidday HQ's wifi realm - I have prevailed. So take your marks, get your thongs flip flops on and let's get this Armchair Tour underway.

This hard working fella can be found in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea....

...as the 'in' crowd - complete with piercings and an assortment of headgear - gathers at The Sign Of The Seahorse to catch up with the latest snail(mail).

The sirens' song and come hither looks of Mermaids tempt you to venture further...

...whilst this giant of the sea keeps a beady eye on visitors and carries the weight of a former civilisation - the Lost City of Atlantis - on his back.

Maintenance is an important part of the Sand Sculpting world so it's best to invest in regular check ups...

...before things get out of hand.

This creature of the sea casts a lascivious eye over passersby...

...as it would appear that, like Poseidon, wild horses can't keep them away.

And just when a couple of cuties might convince you that it's safe to go back into the water...

...you might find yourself caught out by the bare (faced) cheek of the natives.

It's a fascinating exhibit with lots of intricate detail and cheeky fun throughout - it's worthwhile going back and revisiting each to discover new elements you didn't see the first time around - as well as a speedy 10 minute demonstration of sand sculpting by one of the team on site.

If you want to read a little bit more, you can pop over to Mum's write up on Weekend Notes. Or if you are actually in the Melbourne area before the 28th April, get yourself down to the Frankston Waterfront and find your very own fishy favourites.

Phew! At last, that's post 1 (and resolution 1) for 2013 done.

Boats And Bridges...

Being part of a somewhat caring and supportive family, Lil Chicky and I decided that it was time that we do a little window shopping to find the next lucky man in my life. Fortunately, the family had decided to take a ferry ride over to Williamstown yesterday so at 12.30 the family Hamer (including those with a myriad of other names) gathered at Southbank, boarded our ship of dreams and set sail.

 

The one hour cruise took us along the Yarra River and out through The Docklands which has developed significantly since I last lived Down Under - there are lots of interesting buildings to ooh and aah at on the way but for now, let's maintain some focus on the purpose of this post and leave architectural meanderings for another time.

The title promises bridges and we headed under many of them - here are my top three:

The Bolte Bridge, named for Henry Bolte who remains the longest serving Victorian State Premier (17 years from 1955). The bridge was opened in August 1999) and also forms an integral part of the entrance into Melbourne by car from the airport. The view of the City from here always feels like a big 'welcome back' to me. 

This bridge is a new one since my departure - it was difficult to capture the whole bridge but I loved this side, looking like one of those hooped underskirts from yesteryear.

The clean lines of this bridge and the Australian flag fluttering in the breeze typifies the clean, stark lines of the Australian landscape for me - no idea what this bridge is called either but I loved it all the same.

The weather was gorgeous - a pleasant mid 25C - and a gentle breeze cooled our sun-kissed noses and cheeks as we motored along. There were many boats out of all shapes and sizes, some puttering along at a more sedate pace...

Before we knew it, we had arrived at Williamstown Pier so it was off the boat for a stretch of the legs, something to eat and a hearty discussion about our plan of attack (which mainly revolved around ice-cream).
 

Docking at Williamtown foreshore...yes, that bright shiny object is the sun...

One of the great things about Williamtown (apart from the ice cream) is the fantastic view of the City of Melbourne so here's the shot, complete with the millionaire shopping arcade boats in the foreground... 

After a pleasant few hours we decided to head back but finding a millionaire/boat had not gone so successfully so we decided to keep our eyes peeled on the way back. A single girl's work is never done, you know...

As with some of my past experiences with you critters from Mars, this one seemed to over promise (Global Dream? Really?) and under deliver. I know it's a working boat and all but a lick of paint wouldn't have gone astray. There's always something to be said for making an effort.

Now this is more my style: Sleek and white and celebratory even in name. Unfortunately a small child appeared as we chugged past which is just going a bit overboard (pardon the pun) with the accessories I feel....

This one has a spot in the boot for one's jet ski. Very handy!

Suddenly the Bolte Bridge loomed above us again, signalling that our sea adventure (well the combined waterways of the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay in any case) would soon be over...

The Bolte Bridge with the bright shiny sun-thing again...

So that was the Day of the Family Hamer, seven intrepid wanderers out to see the world of Williamstown and conquer it with ice cream.

 

Which brings me (not so neatly) to the end of this post, my last for 2012. And all that remains is to wish you a Happy New Year wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate it.

 

There's one 'sleep' left peeps - let's show 2013 we mean business!