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We are in the midst of a fortnight of predicted rainy days.
at 8.35 this morning it was necessary to employ flash to photograph the weather gauge puddle in the gutter outside our front garden,
and the delightfully resilient winter flowering cherry that, at this rate will bloom until September, when it first blossomed last year.
I thought, “blow this. With all this un-desisting rain descending, I’m pissing off to London” – figuratively speaking, you’ll understand, through the medium of scanning another dozen colour slides from the Streets of London series. The weather there in July 2005 was rather better than it has been here today.
From 1974 to 2007, I was a frequent visitor to Beauchamp Lodge, the tall, nineteenth century building on the corner of Harrow Road and Warwick Crescent. Having joined the Committee in 1974, I soon found myself in the Chair which I occupied for 15 years. Afterwards I rented rooms for my Counselling Practice. This establishment has periodically featured in my posts, but I have not previously mentioned the Katherine Mansfield connection. One of the many incarnations of the building was as a hostel for young women music students, one of which, in 1908-9 was the famed New Zealand writer, the subject of an April 2013 newspaper article in the Ham & High, subtitled ‘The turbulent love life of a very serious writer’. Who knows? On one of my overnight stays I may have slept in what had been her bedroom.
Last year the lease of a small (approx.15 square metres) lock up garage to the rear of Somers Crescent W2 was sold at auction for £30,000. There was just 23 years to run, with a ground rent of £25 per annum.
According to its website ‘St John’s Hyde Park is a Church of England Parish Church in the Hyde Park Estate in W2, Paddington, Westminster, Central London. It is a Modern, inclusive, liberal catholic Anglican church in the Diocese of London.’ I have a, now faint, jagged scar on my forehead incurred on entering the car park of this church. The story is told in ‘The London Marathon’.
Archery Close W2, is another frighteningly expensive street in Bayswater.
Connaught Street runs from Hyde Park Square to Edgware Road,
where the Maroush Deli is actually located, and where many Lebanese establishments are to be found.
On the opposite side of Edgware Road lies Hampden Gurney Street. Are these smokers still puffing?; has the gentleman scratching his head discovered where he’s going?; is one of the three women seeking accommodation?; is the driver of the linen van parked on a red route making a delivery?; did he get a ticket?
Gustavian, on the corner of Quebec Mews and New Quebec Street was clearly having a facelift. Is this the Swedish interior design company? Re the name of this Mews, see elmediat’s comment below
The Café Appennino at 38 James Street W1 is currently listed as inactive. I do hope they did not fall foul of dodgy drains.
The Greene King Local Pubs website tells us that ‘The Lamb and Flag in Marylebone is located on the forefront of the renowned restaurant area, St. Christopher’s Place. This Georgian listed building does not hide its beautiful heritage, as wood panelled walls line the interior, dating back to 1813.’ The young man with the shoulder bag will do well to avoid a collision with either of the two preoccupied persons approaching him, and end up in the lap of the barmaid cleaning the table.
I was so grateful to the young lady approaching me with rather obvious trepidation along Berkeley Mews, for being so well coordinated with the contents of the truck and the traffic cones. She relaxed when I pointed out why I found her so attractive a subject.
Jackie had made enough pasta arrabbiata yesterday for two meals. Served with the addition of green beans, we enjoyed the second this evening. The Culinary Queen presents her apologies to those who asked how she makes it, because it’s always different and she can’t remember this one. That may, of course, have something to do with the Hoegaarden she had just imbibed. I drank more of the Paniza, but then, I’m not the chef. We will make sure the next one is fully described.
Derrick, thank you for taking me on your journey. Much appreciated.
My favourite Katherine Mansfield line: “Tomato soup is so dreadfully eternal, don’t you think so darling?”
I most interesting rainy day posting for a raining day here in New Zealand too, thanks Derrick.
Many thanks, Bruce
This post raised so many questions – none of which came with answers, not even the contents of the arrabbiata! Thirty thousand quid for a lock up? Ai-yi-yi!!
For just 23 years!! Many thanks, Pauline
LOL! I loved your comment about the color coordinated woman, Derrick. It’s always great to hit the streets with you. Sorry you bumped your head!
So was I, Jill 🙂 Thanks very much
I won’t cast any dispersions on your weather, I’m off soon on my cruise, and I don’t want any bad Karma…
🙂 Thanks very much, Ivor
How those blossoms light up a dull day. One day someone you photographed in your Streets of London series will contact you and say: hey, that was me! 🙂
Thanks very much, Mary. I often wonder that, which is why I put those questions in this time
Fascinating article on Katherine Mansfield. It’s not unusual to pay $60k for a carspace in Sydney. The difference is in the property title. So at the end of the lease period, to whose ownership does the London one revert?
The owner of the freehold, which, in this case will probably be either a rich aristocrat or a property company. Thanks a lot, Gwen
Ah – I wondered if it was “resumed” by council or government. So either of the above sound the lesser evil 🙂
/Users/derrickjknight/Desktop/image-0-480×320.jpg This one, same location, but now with 22 years left, £35,000
Sorry, I can’t get that image to open.
No matter, Gwen. It was virtually the same – one year less to run and £5,000 more expensive
I love those facades of the buildings. Please ask Jackie to feature her skills sometimes. That pasta arrabiata sounds so good.
Thanks a lot, Arlene. She will
I think Flag & Lamb has a better ring to it than Lamb & Flag, but then I’m odd
Good to hear from you, Brian. I was thinking of you in the night – hoping you are OK. Thanks very much
Thanks Derrick, nice to have someone think about me now and then :D, Haven’t been doing much on the blog lately just a couple of posts that went down quite well, well for my posts they did. 🙂
🙂
The London Streets series is always welcome. You manage to put in so much backstory in your photographs. The expression of the traffic-cone-coordinated lady is priceless.
Many thanks Uma. Seeing the potential, I awaited her arrival. She must have seen me lurking
Not sure what I find most intriguing. The final composition is very effective. Archery Close has me watching for arrows in flight. The question of how you ended up with Quebec Mews & New Quebec Street in London really has really gotten the Canadian curiosity going. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Joseph. I couldn’t find any history on Google
Did some Canadian history digging and eventually found a connection – the Mews was named after the former Quebec Chapel on this site, named after the Battle of Quebec (Battle of the Plains of Abraham), built 1787 demolished in 1912.
The name “Québec” comes from the Algonquin word kébec meaning “where the river narrows”. It originally referred to the area around Quebec City where the Saint Lawrence River narrows to a cliff-lined gap.
Quite the linguistic voyage. 😀
Many thanks, Joseph. Will make an addition to alert readers to this.
Always enjoy your tour of The Streets of London Derrick, great to see heritage listed buildings still retaining their originality, daresay this will change with modern entrepreneurs establishing shops and restaurants that reflect the changing faces of London. Ps not a great fan of your Mayor
Many thanks, Ian
I always enjoy your London tours, Derrick. I went back to read about how you got the scar. I laughed at your comments about the man with the shoulder bag and the color coordinated woman.
I seldom cook with recipes, except for baking, so I totally understand Jackie not remembering exactly what she did each time. 🙂
Very many thanks, Merril
So much rain! No wonder you traveled back in time to a sunnier spot in London.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I love the photo of the girl in orange–
Also, the other day when I read you had pasta arrabbiata–I looked it up on youtube because I like to cook new things. There is a delicious looking version explained by Gennaro Contaldo on a video there.
Thanks very much, Pleasant
I love these trips we get to take with you derrick. I also enjoy your words and” I’m pissing off to London” made me laugh!
🙂 Many thanks, Lynn
Great tour of London in a sunnier time and interesting history of Quebec-related facts. Terrible slur on the memory of a fine lady who merely imbibes the odd Hoegaarden. You may be finding something a little extra in your next meal. 🙂
🙂 🙂 Thanks very much, Quercus
Rounded brick buildings fascinate me.
Thanks very much, Micheline. They are clever
An enjoyable tour, Derrick. 🙂
Many thanks, Amy
You were on fine form while writing this post, Derrick! I enjoyed it thoroughly!
Very many thanks, Clare
The city is so clean! I wish Americans took more pride in our cities. I live in the country and even there I find trash during my daily walks.
Thanks very much, Lisa. Some parts of London are not so good :). We also have trash in our beautiful New Forest.
I enjoyed the London tour from your past, Derrick. I’ve never been to England, or anywhere in the U.K.
It hurt to read about how you got that scar!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. It did hurt at the time 🙂
Thank you for the London tour. The cherry blossom tree is very pretty.
Thanks very much, LL/PS
My favorite parts are the garden behind the Hyde Park Crescent photo and the Maroush Deli! So pretty and colorful!
The formal gold scrolling on the corner establishment, Simonds Lamb and Flag, is beautiful, Derrick. Lovely tour, as always! ?
Very many thanks, Robin, for your usual close attention
I think it means more if someone let’s you know what struck their fancy, Derrick. It helps when planning more blog posts. . . ?
Quite so – it does
Still as good as the day I first read it nearly two years ago. Maybe better. 🙂
Lot of things have changed since then but the quality of your prose and the cookery of Mrs Knight have stood the test of time.
Thank you so much, Quercus