28 August 2013 ~ Around London ~ Part II

Listening to:  George Clinton & The P-Funk All-Stars ~ Bop-Gun (Fillmore, SF, 9/13/1998)

Continuing along the journey, we drove by #9 Downing Street, the office of the Chief Whip (yes, the person who ensures all parliamentarians show up to vote). It is adjacent to the more famous 10 Downing Street, home of the Prime Minister.

http://youtu.be/mtWUJBqlzKo

We walked through parts of Kensington Park. the lawn chairs are set up for anyone to rent (reminded me of lounge chair rentals on a beach). Do you see the large ferris wheel in the background? That is the London Eye, and I hope to ride that the last night I'm in London.

This is the Natural History Museum. It is free, but even before opening hours there was quite a line. Maybe another trip.

Trafalgar Square commemorates the British navel victory of the Napoleonic Wars over France in the Battle of Trafalgar (1805).

The Blue Cockerel sits on what is known as the Fourth Plinth, which has rotating artwork. This was just erected in July and will be on display for 18 months, and is to symbolize rejuvenation and strength. Some protested the statue, as the cockerel is a traditional emblem of France.

I'm still able to Google and find it, but if the anti-pornography laws are put in place, you may not be able to search for "ginormous blue Hahn Cock".

Nothing special about the Lyceum Tavern, except I liked the barrel clock above.

 

27 August 2013 ~ Around London ~ Part I

Listening to: The Cult ~ Rain

The Cult will be playing live in London on Halloween. For those of you who don't know this band, they are a British rock band formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in the mid-1980s as a post-punk band.

The day after the pub tour I did a London tour.

Here are two views of the Wellington Arch, located at the south end of Hyde Park. Built nearby between 1826-1830, it was moved to its present position in 1882-83. It once supported an equestrian statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington; the original intention of having it topped with sculpture of a "quadriga" or ancient four-horse chariot was not realised until 1912.

The Albert Memorial is located in Kensington Gardens on Albert Memorial Road opposite the Royal Albert Hall. Per the Royal Parks website, it is one of London's most ornate monuments, unveiled in 1872, commemorating the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who died of typhoid fever at the age of 42.

Marble figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America stand at each corner of the memorial, and higher up are further figures representing manufacture, commerce, agriculture and engineering. Yet further up, near the top, are gilded bronze statues of the angels and virtues. All around the base of the memorial the Parnassus frieze depicts celebrated painters, poets sculptors, musicians and architects, reflecting Albert's enthusiasm for the arts. There are 187 exquisitely carved figures in the frieze.

Here is the Royal Albert  Music Hall. I wish I had time to go inside, even better is someone had been playing here during my stay (like Clapton!). I would have seen a symphony, but my work schedule did not permit it.

 

We drove by the famous shopping store "Harrods" but I only got this window shot of purses. 

23 April 2013 ~ Black Friar Pub

Listening to: Jimmie Dale Gilmore ~ My Mind Has A Mind of It's Own (7/14/1991, Slims, SF)


Last pub of the tour was The Black Friar.

Here is some history.

I tried the Old Engine Oil Porter, although the Flying Scotsman was tempting.

 

The interior was beautiful, with marble, and classic sayings such as "Silence is Golden" and "Wisdom is Rare". The food looked good as well, so maybe I need a return trip before I leave. 

 

And a very ornate ceiling reminding me of a monastery.

Upon leaving, there was a coach with girls either in a wedding or having a bachelorette party (or known in England as "Hen" parties! because the ladies just cackle the entire time!). Maybe they partners of the guys on the "stag" party I saw at the previous pub.

 

 

22 August 2013 ~ Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Listening to: Janis Joplin ~ Stealin' (1962/08/10 Coffee Gallery, SF)


Next to the George pub is located the original Twinings Tea building, from 1706. I didn't take these photos in black & white on purpose.

It's quite a small and narrow store. Statues of Chinamen on top represented that tea came from China then.

On the way to the next pub we passed the home of the author of the first English dictionary...not Merriam nor Webster, but DeSamuel Johnson.



There is a nice courtyard with a statue of his cat, Horace.

Jane the guide pointed out that the window above in the center is boarded up as there was a tax imposed on households based on the number of windows...so to avoid tax they boarded them up.

Just a short walk away was the next pub, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, rebuilt in 1667. Not much to look at from the outside...

except a placard listing those that have reigned over England.

Inside the view wasn't much better. The entryway pub area is quite small. My guide Jane is on the right.

Very dark wood, old stuffy paintings.

This isn't a great picture for quality, but I wanted to point out the man in the grass skirt and lei was enjoying his bachelor party. Instead of a "stag" party they are called "buck" parties. These guys were on a 12 pub crawl...yikes.

 

18 August 2013 ~ The George

Listening to: Jim Croce ~ Workin' At The Carwash Blues (1973/08/25 Philly Folk Fest, Schewneksville, PA)

After leaving Princess Louise, we took some back alleyways on the way to our next stop...The George.

We passed the bar, The Seven Stars, run by a fine lady, Roxy Beaujolais, but we didn't stop. Jane had some bad experiences where she yelled at customers, but I poked my head in anyway, only to have her smirk at me.

A classic London telephone booth, with the words "The Witch is Dead", along the funeral route of Margaret Thatcher.

The dragon is the symbol of London. Here is the tower which separates London proper (which according to one guide is only 1 square mile) from Westminster.

Finally arriving at the George Even though the building appears 18th century, it is in fact Victorian. It was built in 1723 as a coffee house and then became a hotel in 1830, and then a public house as it is today. Numerous wooden carvings can be found, including monks, frogs, and seeminly naked men chasing pigs (I wish I would have gotten a picture of those!).

With quite the selection of brews.

I went for the 1/2 pint of Bonobo Beer.

Almost felt like an aristocrat.

17 August 2013 ~ Princess Louise (Pub)

Listening to: Jerry Garcia ~ When I Paint My Masterpiece (2/29/80)


I finally had an opportunity to get out and about in London!

I went on a private Historic Pub Tour with Jane. She was fabulous, informative and fun! You can find out more about Jane on her School-of-Booze site.

http://www.school-of-booze.com/who-we-are/jane-peyton-biography

First stop, Princess Louise.

It is located near the Holborn Underground stop. The pub is a classic example of a Victorian public house in which drinking was segrated according to social status, with separate doors to enter based on your "class", and then the interior areas were different also.

Jane took me in the "posh" door...I told her she didn't know me very well.

Since my tour was early afternoon, starting at 1pm - but never too early for pint! - I started off with a lager.

Beautiful craftsmanship.

And stained glass windows.

The front of the bar.

 

11 Aug 2013 ~ More Deer of Berkeley

Listening to:  Pink Floyd ~ Welcome to the Machine


Had a visit from some deer again.

They like the backyard although there really isn't a lot of foliage for them to snack on.

http://youtu.be/MKkZnkRMKAs

I've never seen deer walk down the driveway to the street.

Then along the sidewalk.

And up the stairs.

Until more lush surroundings and tasty tidbits are found.

http://youtu.be/f1PWALQse94


http://youtu.be/i6i8koEwHMQ

 

9 Aug 2013 ~ Marble Arch

Listening to: Van Morrison ~ And It Stoned Me


I traveled to London this past week (and am heading back next).

I stayed near the Marble Arch tube (train) station.

Named for an area of London as well as the arch there, which was designed in 1825. The arch was dismantled in 1850 when the new east range of Buckingham Palace was constructed. Three small rooms inside the rebuilt arch were used as a police station from 1851 until at least 1968.

The bronze sculpture on the lower left is of Ghengis Khan is 16 feet tall by artist Dashi Namdakov. The other statue is actually an upside-down horses head, but from the back. I  may need to go back and get a better photo!

Tried a local brew...Fuller's London Pride.

I didn't have time to be a tourist at all this trip, so hopefully I'll have some free time in the upcoming one.

3 August 2013 ~ Tommy's Joynt

Listening to: Grateful Dead ~ Bertha (8/27/1972, Veneta, OR)


On Thursday night, in honor of Jerry Garcia's birthday, I attended the Symphonic Celebration with friends at Davies Hall in San Francisco.

Before the symphony, we ate at Tommy's Joynt, and feasted on a roast beef platter with mashed potatoes/gravy and cole slaw. I was here once before on New Year's Eve in 2003 with family.

Quote from it's website: "Tommy's Joynt is the original hof-brau of San Francisco , and has become one of San Francisco's longest living institutions. We sit here at Van Ness and Geary, on Route 101, at the crossroads of the City. "Welcome Stranger" decals itself above our front doors, front doors that beg you to come inside and eat "Where Turkey is King."

It started serving in 1947. This mural is outside.

The symphony itself was a super fun night. Deadheads at a symphony is classic and there was "dancing in the aisles"...literally.

Here is a post of the event.


http://www.jambase.com/Articles/119051/Weir-And-Chimenti-Guest-At-San-Francisco-Garcia-Symphonic-Celebration
 

1 August 2013 ~ Hog's Breath Inn

Listening to:  The Reggae Boys ~ Mama Look Deh


A while back I drove down to Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One spot I really wanted to check out was the Hog's Breath Inn, formerly owned by Clint Eastwood when he was mayor there.

To reach the entrance, one walks through an narrow alley way.

Passing quaint restaurants...

...musical instrument shops....

...and what appeared to be a spa with an interesting array of shoes.

The welcome sign.

Several "Dirty Harry" pictures are displayed, as well as gatherings that were held at the inn. And of course, several "Hogs" on display as well....and not the 2 wheeled kind!

In addition to a few tables on inside a the bar, there is also an extensive outdoor patio. Famous items on the menu include a "Dirty Harry Burger" and "Hog's Baby Back Ribs". I didn't stay for lunch, but did have a beer enjoying the ambiance.