Author Archives: Simon

The miracle of St Paul’s

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Simon

Tonight marks the 70th anniversary of one of the iconic moments of modern London’s history. At 6:08pm on the icy, wintery night of 29 December 1940 sirens began to wail across the city as Adolf Hitler began his most concerted … Continue reading →

Posted in 29/12/40, Adolf Hitler, Blitz, City of London, London, London Calendar, London's greatest photo, Photography, St Paul's Cathedral, Thames, Winston Churchill, World War II, underground | Tagged 29 December 1940, 29/12/40, Adolf Hitler, blitz, city of London, London, London's greatest photo, St Paul's Cathedral, Winston Churchill, World War II | Leave a comment

London’s in-spire-ational cathedral

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Simon

St Paul’s Cathedral Can you imagine the London skyline without the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral? Well St Paul’s should not have a dome, it should have a spire, the dome should not be there. Yes this majestic, iconic cathedral … Continue reading →

Posted in London, London Calendar, Romans, Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul's Cathedral, Suffragettes, The Normans, Tower of London | Tagged London, London Calendar, Normans, Romans, Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London | 2 Comments

The bloody tower…

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Simon

The Tower of London is a statement. It is a statement of intimidation, threat and terror turned into a fist made of foreign stone. The stone was imported all the way from Caen, France by an invader intent on facing … Continue reading →

Posted in Anne Boleyn, Battle of London, Edward V, Elizabeth I, Gilbert and Sullivan, Henry VII, London Calendar, Richard III, Sir Walter Raleigh, The Normans, Tower of London, Traitors Gate | Tagged Anne Boleyn, Battle of London, Edward V, Elizabeth I, Gilbert and Sullivan, London Calendar, Richard III, Sir Walter Raleigh, The Normans, Tower of London, Traitors Gate | 10 Comments

Tales from the river bank

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Simon

Today I’m enjoying a glass of red outside of Gordon’s wine bar, close to Charing Cross Station. It’s a lovely peaceful spot right in the heart of London, one of my favourite bars. It’s also the perfect spot for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bazalgette, Charles Dickens, London Calendar, Thames, Westminster, sewers | Tagged Bazalgette, Charles Dickens, Sewers, Thames, Westminster | 12 Comments

England expects… (part 2)

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Simon

Trafalgar Square was part of a massive redesign of London by John Nash which had the intention of helping Regency London outshine Napoleonic Paris. At that time Britain and France were constantly at war, political rivals and, it should be remembered, … Continue reading →

Posted in London Calendar, Nelson, Trafalgar Square, Uncategorized | Tagged Battle of Trafalgar, black sailor, British navy, John Nash, Napoleonic Paris, Trafalgar Square | 30 Comments