What's happening in Blighty...

One of the principles I learned in radio was to only say something when you have something to say... Well, the recent radio silence means I haven't had much to say...

But now I can at least bring you up to speed...

Football season has started once more. This means that finally loads of British men have something to do with their Saturday afternoons and the garden and other DIT projects can be neglected until next May, the end of the season.
It also means that Autumn is starting to take a foothold. Well, that's not entirely true. Whilst the long days are becoming shorter, the temperatures are still mild enough to allow shirt sleeves to be rolled up and fleeces and jerseys are still safely locked in cupboards.

The country continues to endure a recession. Well, that really depends on who you talk to. Apparently France and Germany have recovered. In truth, it doesn't feel like the recession is lifting too much, and the increasing number of unemployed people seems to simply underline how bad things are. That, and the increasing number of empty shops on the High Street.

On the up side, Britain has a World Number 2 tennis player. Apparently for the first time since the ATP rankings were first used (which is just a grand way of saying "in the last few years") Britain has a World Number 2 - Andy Murray. Scotland must be SO happy that England are claiming Andy as British. So cue uninhibited public pressure and tabloid pressure on the young chap to perform in ways no British tennis player has performed before.

Yes, it's been a busy old time in Blighty... Just not busy enough to shout too loudly about...

Reflections of London

We experienced another very sunny day today in London - the kind of day that couldn't be ignored, nor spent on the sofa.

So I headed to Canary Wharf and the City of London, and rather than looking around me at road level, looked upwards.

London is such a mix of architecture, and the more recent building that has taken place has seen far more glass and steel being used, and this gives a whole new feel to the area - modern, dramatic, and rather reflective.

What's more, in amongst this dramatic "glass jungle" an atmosphere has been created that draws one in, rather than scaring away. So today, on a Sunday, the business district of Canary Wharf, with it's mega glass towers and centres of financial business were awash with people, families, couples enjoying the sun, enjoying the parks and the fountains - Canary Wharf was not dead - it was alive and almost vibrant with activity.


London City centre was quieter - more deserted. A mix of stone, concrete, steel and glass, but no less mysteriously attractive.


And whilst the deserted streets might have left you feeling alone, and the surrounded, though bathed in sunlight, just a dreary black and grey monotone of theatre of financial endevour, it was only when you lifted your gaze and looked aupwards that your heart was lifted, as if you were staring up at some angelic masterpiece.

London weddings...

It is true to say that in London, sometimes things are not done in a "usual" way - normal does appear to sometimes give way for simple abnormality...

So I shouldn't be surprised by two wedding entourages I have seen over the last few weeks.

The first was in London Central, close to Oxford street. Thank goodness that not every Route master red bus has disappeared from the streets.


And the second was seemingly a far grander affair - needing not one, but no less than four limousine 4x4's, including 3 Range Rovers and a Hummer.

The Wild Life in London

Despite there having been several complaints recently about the weather, the lack of Sun, the end of "Summer" and it starting to rain once more, Friday evening was a fantastically sunny evening, and even the call to the gym had to be ignored. I took myself rather into Central London just to mosey around and explore.

I ended up enjoying a fantastic evening in the company of some Inner City Wildlife.


From Westminster tube I strolled past Parliament and through the grounds of Westminster Abbey, with the massive stone buttresses towering above me. From there I walked past the Methodist Hall towards Horse Guards, passing the the Cabinet War Rooms, the back of Downing street and the Bali Bombing memorial. Just then St James's Park caught my attention and I went to explore...

I was amazed at the amazing wild life I found, and how people and animals were just kicking back and enjoying a fantastic summery evening in the shadow of Central London's most well known buildings.

Apparently someone had gone and stolen either the map for where the nuts had been buried, or the nuts themselves, as every squirrel on display seemed to be lost in the task of digging and then digging some more in search of some kind of nut product. A few had taken it upon themselves to beg from the passers by, using no more than cute looks as bait to unwitting humans. While taking photos one even came right up to me for a closer look, placing a small paw on my know to get close enough to ensure that I had no hidden food that I was keeping back.

Having enjoyed the little squirrel performance, I walked around the lake and took in the mass of bird life, all starting to get ready to settle down for the evening. A final bath, a quick paddle or simply paddling across the lake, there seemed to be masses of birds of all varieties.

And every so often this panorama of wild life had a fantastic backdrop - either Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade or even the London Eye.

It really is amazing how much there is to see and explore right in the middle of London, and by no means is it just a stony, cold concrete city with no personality. London invites you in, you just need to listen out for the invitation.