Staple Inn is a building on the south side of High Holborn in London, England. Located near Chancery Lane tube station, it is used as the London office of the Institute of Actuaries and is the last surviving Inn of Chancery.
It was originally attached to Gray's Inn, which is one of the four Inns of Court. The Inns of Chancery fell into decay in the 19th century. All of them were dissolved, and most were demolished. Staple Inn is the only one which survives largely intact.
Staple Inn dates from 1585. The building was once the wool staple, where wool was weighed and taxed. It survived the Great Fire of London, was extensively damaged by a bomb in 1944, but was subsequently restored. It has a distinctive timber-framed façade and an internal courtyard. The historic interiors include a great hall. Much of the building is used by the Institute of Actuaries. The ground floor street frontage is let to shops and restaurants who are required to use quieter signage than they do on less sensitive buildings.
Monday 30 April 2007
Staple Inn, Chancery Lane, London
Staple Inn, Chancery Lane, London
Staple Inn is a building on the south side of High Holborn in London, England. Located near Chancery Lane tube station, it is used as the London office of the Institute of Actuaries and is the last surviving Inn of Chancery.
It was originally attached to Gray's Inn, which is one of the four Inns of Court. The Inns of Chancery fell into decay in the 19th century. All of them were dissolved, and most were demolished. Staple Inn is the only one which survives largely intact.
Staple Inn dates from 1585. The building was once the wool staple, where wool was weighed and taxed. It survived the Great Fire of London, was extensively damaged by a bomb in 1944, but was subsequently restored. It has a distinctive timber-framed façade and an internal courtyard. The historic interiors include a great hall. Much of the building is used by the Institute of Actuaries. The ground floor street frontage is let to shops and restaurants who are required to use quieter signage than they do on less sensitive buildings.
Sunday 29 April 2007
2007 Gumball 3000 Pagani Zonda C12-S
The Pagani Zonda C12-S is a V12, 7291 cc with a top speed of 220 mph or 340 kmh.
2007 Gumball 3000 Pagani Zonda C12-S
The Pagani Zonda C12-S is a V12, 7291 cc with a top speed of 220 mph or 340 kmh.
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Kryptonite' discovered
Blinkx Video: 'Kryptonite' discovered
But scientists who analysed the find were astonished to discover that its chemical composition matched a description of kryptonite in the film Superman Returns.In the 2006 movie, Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor steals a kryptonite rock fragment from the Metropolis Museum.On the case are written the words "sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with fluorine".
Kryptonite' discovered
Blinkx Video: 'Kryptonite' discovered
But scientists who analysed the find were astonished to discover that its chemical composition matched a description of kryptonite in the film Superman Returns.In the 2006 movie, Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor steals a kryptonite rock fragment from the Metropolis Museum.On the case are written the words "sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with fluorine".
Tuesday 17 April 2007
Arsenal football fans, Highbury, London
Being based near the Emirates Stadium, at least once a month (or when ever they have these things) there is a large influx of Arsenal soccer fans to watch a game.
This evening Arsenal were playing Manchester City as part of the Barclays Premiership. Arsenal won 3-1 win.
From wiki: The Emirates Stadium is a football stadium located on Ashburton Grove in Holloway, north London, and the home of Arsenal Football Club since it opened in July 2006. The stadium has an all-seated capacity of 60,432, making it the second largest stadium in the Premiership after Old Trafford, and the third-largest stadium of any kind in London, after Wembley and Twickenham. During the planning and construction stages, it was known as Ashburton Grove before a naming rights deal with the airline Emirates was struck in October 2004. The stadium project cost £390 million, but not all was for the actual construction of the stadium itself.
Arsenal football fans, Highbury, London
Being based near the Emirates Stadium, at least once a month (or when ever they have these things) there is a large influx of Arsenal soccer fans to watch a game.
This evening Arsenal were playing Manchester City as part of the Barclays Premiership. Arsenal won 3-1 win.
From wiki: The Emirates Stadium is a football stadium located on Ashburton Grove in Holloway, north London, and the home of Arsenal Football Club since it opened in July 2006. The stadium has an all-seated capacity of 60,432, making it the second largest stadium in the Premiership after Old Trafford, and the third-largest stadium of any kind in London, after Wembley and Twickenham. During the planning and construction stages, it was known as Ashburton Grove before a naming rights deal with the airline Emirates was struck in October 2004. The stadium project cost £390 million, but not all was for the actual construction of the stadium itself.
Monday 16 April 2007
Battersea Powerstation, London
Battersea Powerstation as shot by Tony Scott. One of my favourite landmarks in London. It was used by Pink Floyd on their "Animals" album cover. The picture is slightly tweaked in the style of Tony Scott 's red sky filter.
From Wiki: Battersea Power Station is a defunct coal-fired power station in Battersea, London, that was the first in a series of large coal-fired electrical generating facilities set up in England as part of the introduction of the National Grid power distribution system. The first part of the structure was built in 1939, and the station ceased electricity generation in 1983. Since then the site has remained largely unused, with numerous failed redevelopment plans from successive site owners. The building is the largest brick building in Europe and is notable for its original, lavish Art Deco interior fittings and decor. The station famously appears in The Beatles' 1965 movie Help! and on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals.
Battersea Powerstation, London
Battersea Powerstation as shot by Tony Scott. One of my favourite landmarks in London. It was used by Pink Floyd on their "Animals" album cover. The picture is slightly tweaked in the style of Tony Scott 's red sky filter.
From Wiki: Battersea Power Station is a defunct coal-fired power station in Battersea, London, that was the first in a series of large coal-fired electrical generating facilities set up in England as part of the introduction of the National Grid power distribution system. The first part of the structure was built in 1939, and the station ceased electricity generation in 1983. Since then the site has remained largely unused, with numerous failed redevelopment plans from successive site owners. The building is the largest brick building in Europe and is notable for its original, lavish Art Deco interior fittings and decor. The station famously appears in The Beatles' 1965 movie Help! and on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals.
Saturday 14 April 2007
Sunshine film prop, London
I saw Danny Boyle's Sunshine yesterday. A Sci Fi film focusing on the crew of a space ship sent on a mission to re-ignite our dying sun. We left the cinema, popped into FOPP to pick up a book and on the way home walking past Planet Hollywood. By a quirky coincidence - noticed some props from the film in the window. Wild! One of the props was the uber cool retro mobius inspired space suits. The film is a mashup of popular sci fi celluloid with eco themes. Go see this film its great and easily one of the better sci fi film this decade. The cast are: Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Cillian Murphy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Mark Strong, Benedict Wong and Michelle Yeoh. Story by Alex Garland.
Man! London is full of people again and summer is well and truly on its way. Again this picture was taken with my phone.
Sunshine film prop, London
I saw Danny Boyle's Sunshine yesterday. A Sci Fi film focusing on the crew of a space ship sent on a mission to re-ignite our dying sun. We left the cinema, popped into FOPP to pick up a book and on the way home walking past Planet Hollywood. By a quirky coincidence - noticed some props from the film in the window. Wild! One of the props was the uber cool retro mobius inspired space suits. The film is a mashup of popular sci fi celluloid with eco themes. Go see this film its great and easily one of the better sci fi film this decade. The cast are: Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Cillian Murphy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Mark Strong, Benedict Wong and Michelle Yeoh. Story by Alex Garland.
Man! London is full of people again and summer is well and truly on its way. Again this picture was taken with my phone.
Friday 13 April 2007
Foosball at Cafe Kick
I took this pic at Bar Kick, Shoreditch. Ben is off to Canada so farewell drinks were held at the popular foosball venue.
Foosball is the American corruption of fussball (pronounced the same), the German word for soccer-literally foot plus ball. While the sport has the more formal name of table soccer, to the American players who love it, it's foosball, or just foos.
Unfortunately, the origins of the game are not as easy to trace as those of its name. Like many games, it is quite possible that variations of foosball developed in different countries over roughly the same time period. Since organized soccer first entered the sports scene in the 1860s, the invention of soccer's table version can be safely dated sometime afterward, probably in the late 1800s. The earliest United States patent for a foosball table was registered in 1901, but it is generally agreed that foosball, like soccer, originated in western Europe.
I should say that the low quality of the pic is due to the use of my low res camera phone during a power failure.
Foosball at Cafe Kick
I took this pic at Bar Kick, Shoreditch. Ben is off to Canada so farewell drinks were held at the popular foosball venue.
Foosball is the American corruption of fussball (pronounced the same), the German word for soccer-literally foot plus ball. While the sport has the more formal name of table soccer, to the American players who love it, it's foosball, or just foos.
Unfortunately, the origins of the game are not as easy to trace as those of its name. Like many games, it is quite possible that variations of foosball developed in different countries over roughly the same time period. Since organized soccer first entered the sports scene in the 1860s, the invention of soccer's table version can be safely dated sometime afterward, probably in the late 1800s. The earliest United States patent for a foosball table was registered in 1901, but it is generally agreed that foosball, like soccer, originated in western Europe.
I should say that the low quality of the pic is due to the use of my low res camera phone during a power failure.
Thursday 12 April 2007
Disappeared Wiki entry
Boo!. I was alerted today that my wiki entry has disappeared as mysteriously as it appeared? Still its funny.
Disappeared Wiki entry
Boo!. I was alerted today that my wiki entry has disappeared as mysteriously as it appeared? Still its funny.
Wednesday 11 April 2007
MI6 - Vauxhall Cross, 007, James Bond
On my way home today I took this picture of MI6. We are based in MI9 next door so I regularly walk or cycle passed.With this shot I tried to get the angle that is used in "The world is not enough". Bond bursts
through the wall in Q's Jet Boat and chases the Cigar girl down the Thames.The building, which opened in 1994, includes a shooting range and arsenal, a garage for adapting and maintaining MI6's fleet of special cars, secure areas where eavesdropping is impossible, and a array of computer and radio communication rooms. There are rooms for the development of specialist espionage equipment.
Mi6 was designed by Sir Terry Farrell, who was unaware of the intended tenants.The MI6 headquarters replicates Art Deco's distinctive symmetry and detail. The MI6 building is known to some staff as "Ceausescu Towers", after the former Romanian dictator with a penchant for grandiose and inhuman architecture.
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6 (see MI numbers) is the United Kingdom's external intelligence agency. Under the direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), it works alongside the Security Service (MI5), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS). SIS is responsible for the United Kingdom's espionage activities overseas.
In 2001 the IRA fired a missile into the building which managed to break a window on the 8th floor.
- MI1: Code-breaking (see GCHQ)
- MI2: Russia and Scandinavia
- MI3: Eastern Europe
- MI4: Aerial Reconnaissance
- MI5: Domestic intelligence (now Security Service)
- MI6: Foreign intelligence (now Secret Intelligence Service)
- MI7: Propaganda
- MI8: Military Communication Interception (see GCHQ)
- MI9: Undercover operations
- MI10: Weapons analysis
- MI11: Field security police
- MI12: Military censorship
- MI13: Reconnaissance
- MI14 and MI15: German specialists
- MI16: Scientific Intelligence
- MI17: Military Intelligence "Head Office"
- MI18: Unknown (may have never existed) (reason to believe North America)
MI6 - Vauxhall Cross, 007, James Bond
On my way home today I took this picture of MI6. We are based in MI9 next door so I regularly walk or cycle passed.With this shot I tried to get the angle that is used in "The world is not enough". Bond bursts
through the wall in Q's Jet Boat and chases the Cigar girl down the Thames.The building, which opened in 1994, includes a shooting range and arsenal, a garage for adapting and maintaining MI6's fleet of special cars, secure areas where eavesdropping is impossible, and a array of computer and radio communication rooms. There are rooms for the development of specialist espionage equipment.
Mi6 was designed by Sir Terry Farrell, who was unaware of the intended tenants.The MI6 headquarters replicates Art Deco's distinctive symmetry and detail. The MI6 building is known to some staff as "Ceausescu Towers", after the former Romanian dictator with a penchant for grandiose and inhuman architecture.
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6 (see MI numbers) is the United Kingdom's external intelligence agency. Under the direction of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), it works alongside the Security Service (MI5), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS). SIS is responsible for the United Kingdom's espionage activities overseas.
In 2001 the IRA fired a missile into the building which managed to break a window on the 8th floor.
- MI1: Code-breaking (see GCHQ)
- MI2: Russia and Scandinavia
- MI3: Eastern Europe
- MI4: Aerial Reconnaissance
- MI5: Domestic intelligence (now Security Service)
- MI6: Foreign intelligence (now Secret Intelligence Service)
- MI7: Propaganda
- MI8: Military Communication Interception (see GCHQ)
- MI9: Undercover operations
- MI10: Weapons analysis
- MI11: Field security police
- MI12: Military censorship
- MI13: Reconnaissance
- MI14 and MI15: German specialists
- MI16: Scientific Intelligence
- MI17: Military Intelligence "Head Office"
- MI18: Unknown (may have never existed) (reason to believe North America)
Tuesday 10 April 2007
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) from the Petrin Tower, Prague
My brain is to small to take in the varied and detailed beauty of Prague. This picture was taken from Petřín lookout tower or observatory. Its a mini Eiffel tower built on a Petrin Hill. From the top you can see 360 degree views of Prague.
The Petřínská rozhledna (Petřín lookout tower) is a 60 metre high steel framework tower in Prague, which strongly resembles the Eiffel Tower. Although it is much shorter than the Eiffel Tower, it stands atop a sizeable hill, so the top is at almost the same altitude. The Petřínská rozhledna was built in 1891 and was used as an observation tower as well as a transmission tower. Today the Petřínská rozhledna is a major tourist attraction. If you go up the hard way, the hill is roughly a half-hour walk up paths that get quite slippy when it snows, and the tower is a shorter but fairly tiring climb; however, the hill is served by a frequent funicular and the tower has an elevator for disabled persons.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) from the Petrin Tower, Prague
My brain is to small to take in the varied and detailed beauty of Prague. This picture was taken from Petřín lookout tower or observatory. Its a mini Eiffel tower built on a Petrin Hill. From the top you can see 360 degree views of Prague.
The Petřínská rozhledna (Petřín lookout tower) is a 60 metre high steel framework tower in Prague, which strongly resembles the Eiffel Tower. Although it is much shorter than the Eiffel Tower, it stands atop a sizeable hill, so the top is at almost the same altitude. The Petřínská rozhledna was built in 1891 and was used as an observation tower as well as a transmission tower. Today the Petřínská rozhledna is a major tourist attraction. If you go up the hard way, the hill is roughly a half-hour walk up paths that get quite slippy when it snows, and the tower is a shorter but fairly tiring climb; however, the hill is served by a frequent funicular and the tower has an elevator for disabled persons.
Sunday 8 April 2007
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) at night
The first bridge over the river Vltava was built in 1170. It crumbled in 1342 and a new bridge, later called the Charles Bridge was built in its place in 1357.
The Charles Bridge is is gorgeous however it heaves with heaves with people during the day. Try early morning for a less crowded walk, or go at night for a truly romantic stroll, with fairytale views of the Prague skyline, dominated by magnificent Prague Castle. Charles Bridge is not just a tourist attraction. It's the main pedestrian route linking the Old Town with Mala Strana, and then onto Prague Castle itself. During the day, souvenir stands and street musicians line the bridge; look out for the jazz band, who can be particularly entertaining. It featured in Mission impossible. This photo was taken from a location used quite a lot during some of the early scenes of the film.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) at night
The first bridge over the river Vltava was built in 1170. It crumbled in 1342 and a new bridge, later called the Charles Bridge was built in its place in 1357.
The Charles Bridge is is gorgeous however it heaves with heaves with people during the day. Try early morning for a less crowded walk, or go at night for a truly romantic stroll, with fairytale views of the Prague skyline, dominated by magnificent Prague Castle. Charles Bridge is not just a tourist attraction. It's the main pedestrian route linking the Old Town with Mala Strana, and then onto Prague Castle itself. During the day, souvenir stands and street musicians line the bridge; look out for the jazz band, who can be particularly entertaining. It featured in Mission impossible. This photo was taken from a location used quite a lot during some of the early scenes of the film.
Saturday 7 April 2007
Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, Prague
Prague's city centre is made up of 4 districts, spanning both banks of the Vltava River. On one side is the Old Town (Stare Mesto) with the Old Town Square; the New Town (Nove Mesto) with Wenceslas Square; and, the Jewish Quarter (Josefov). On the other bank is the Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana) with Prague Castle.
The city centre is the Old Town Square which is surrounded by incredible ancient spired buildings on each side. The Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) has been around for 600 to 700 years. Over the next few centuries, many buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market. Sights to see include: the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Old Town Hall Tower, Astronomical Clock and the stunning St. Nicholas Church.
Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, Prague
Prague's city centre is made up of 4 districts, spanning both banks of the Vltava River. On one side is the Old Town (Stare Mesto) with the Old Town Square; the New Town (Nove Mesto) with Wenceslas Square; and, the Jewish Quarter (Josefov). On the other bank is the Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana) with Prague Castle.
The city centre is the Old Town Square which is surrounded by incredible ancient spired buildings on each side. The Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) has been around for 600 to 700 years. Over the next few centuries, many buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market. Sights to see include: the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Old Town Hall Tower, Astronomical Clock and the stunning St. Nicholas Church.
Friday 6 April 2007
Praha or Prague
Praga Caput Regni
Prague (Czech: Praha (IPA: [ˈpraɦa]), see also other names) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the Vltava river in central Bohemia, it is home to approximately 1.2 million people not counting an additional estimate of 300,000 commuters.
Nicknames for Prague have included "the mother of cities (Praga mater urbium)", "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city". Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. According to Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.
It would be hard to choose just one pic of the day for Prague. This city is gorgeous. All my teenage conservative dislike of Bohemia washed away from a trip to the heart of Bohemia. The city itself is Gothic, cobble stoned, ancient and full of spires. If it was not for the large number of tourists this trip would have bordered on spiritual. Great digs (Hotel josef), excellent food (U zlaté konvice, Coda and Kampa Park) and one incredible experience.
To give you an idea of the weight Prague has in terms of history Prague Castle was built in 870, construction of the Sistime Chapel started in 1473.
Praha or Prague
Praga Caput Regni
Prague (Czech: Praha (IPA: [ˈpraɦa]), see also other names) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the Vltava river in central Bohemia, it is home to approximately 1.2 million people not counting an additional estimate of 300,000 commuters.
Nicknames for Prague have included "the mother of cities (Praga mater urbium)", "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city". Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. According to Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.
It would be hard to choose just one pic of the day for Prague. This city is gorgeous. All my teenage conservative dislike of Bohemia washed away from a trip to the heart of Bohemia. The city itself is Gothic, cobble stoned, ancient and full of spires. If it was not for the large number of tourists this trip would have bordered on spiritual. Great digs (Hotel josef), excellent food (U zlaté konvice, Coda and Kampa Park) and one incredible experience.
To give you an idea of the weight Prague has in terms of history Prague Castle was built in 870, construction of the Sistime Chapel started in 1473.
Thursday 5 April 2007
Sony Alpha α100 Digital SLR
How lucky can one guy be? Not only am I being jetted off to Prague for my birthday - but this evening I received 2 objects of desire (on the ckc1ne scale). A Blu Ray copy of Casino Royale (to research Bond locations for our trip). As well as a Sony A 100 digital camera. The Bond disc I was going to get anyway for being one of the early registrars of PS3s in the UK, but the camera. Ding Dong. I have coveted one for awhile - but was unwilling to pay the current asking price. I had reluctantly decided to sell my 717 to offset costs and buy one in the near future.
My 717 broke before a sale was made it :-(. Apparently the CCD self destructs after a certain amount of lapsed time. (Sony are currently repairing it for free) So what a bonus. The only downside to this experience is that I spend the day on my cycle taking pics with my T7 - only to receive this 10meg Digital Single Lens Reflex action beast this evening. So I'm changing the way I choose the pic a day. Now instead of being something seen or relevant on the day. I will have a backlogue of images to choose from.
Whopppdi doo. Hi def pics on there way. By the way anyone is interested in an excellent Sony 717 (recently serviced) camera, Casino Royale Special Edition DVD (Unopened) or an unopened Blu Ray version. Please do let me know I accept PayPal. :-)
Sony Alpha α100 Digital SLR
How lucky can one guy be? Not only am I being jetted off to Prague for my birthday - but this evening I received 2 objects of desire (on the ckc1ne scale). A Blu Ray copy of Casino Royale (to research Bond locations for our trip). As well as a Sony A 100 digital camera. The Bond disc I was going to get anyway for being one of the early registrars of PS3s in the UK, but the camera. Ding Dong. I have coveted one for awhile - but was unwilling to pay the current asking price. I had reluctantly decided to sell my 717 to offset costs and buy one in the near future.
My 717 broke before a sale was made it :-(. Apparently the CCD self destructs after a certain amount of lapsed time. (Sony are currently repairing it for free) So what a bonus. The only downside to this experience is that I spend the day on my cycle taking pics with my T7 - only to receive this 10meg Digital Single Lens Reflex action beast this evening. So I'm changing the way I choose the pic a day. Now instead of being something seen or relevant on the day. I will have a backlogue of images to choose from.
Whopppdi doo. Hi def pics on there way. By the way anyone is interested in an excellent Sony 717 (recently serviced) camera, Casino Royale Special Edition DVD (Unopened) or an unopened Blu Ray version. Please do let me know I accept PayPal. :-)
Wednesday 4 April 2007
Tuesday 3 April 2007
Asian Spiced Rack of Lamb, Gilgamesh, Camden, London
was the son of a mortal King and a goddess; the king of Uruk (known in the Bible as Erech), the greatest king on Earth and the strongest super human to ever exist. Gilgamesh oppressed the people of Uruk and insisted on sleeping with every virgin. The unhappy people of Uruk prayed for freedom. Finally the gods responded to the prayers of the citizens of Uruk and sent a wild, brutish man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh. The pair were set to wrestle, however when there was no clear victor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends...
Gilgamesh Restaurant and Babylon Lounge, set in the heart of Stables Market, Camden is over seen by the pioneer of Pan Asian Cuisine Head Chef Ian Pengelley, serving his leading contemporary style of Pan-Asian cuisine, developed from years of living in Asia and brought to the UK to much acclaim via E&O, The Hempel and the eponymous Pengelley’s of Sloane Street.
Discretely positioned in the Stables area of Camden market, this testament to cool, contemporary style, perfectly fused with the exotic imagery and mystique of the Babylonian era Gilgamesh will leave diners and visitors in awe of the venue, entertainment and most importantly the dining experience.
Stepping in from the hubbub of Camden’s riotous markets and immediately be drawn in by the sheer magnitude and vision of Gilgamesh. Diners ascend the escalator or if preferred may take the stairs passing the hand carved 'Tree of Life', inspired by friezes held at The British Museum, to your preferred dining and drinking area.
Gilgamesh is a 680 cover restaurant, bar, lounge and a traditional tea room all under one fashionable roof. Exclusive hire would allow you to invite a 1000 guests to a reception. The restaurant itself has 180 covers; 14 can fit around one table. The Babylon Bar is Gilgamesh’s VIP area, with lounge seating, beautiful hanging chairs and its own separate circular bar area.
Asian Spiced Rack of Lamb, Gilgamesh, Camden, London
was the son of a mortal King and a goddess; the king of Uruk (known in the Bible as Erech), the greatest king on Earth and the strongest super human to ever exist. Gilgamesh oppressed the people of Uruk and insisted on sleeping with every virgin. The unhappy people of Uruk prayed for freedom. Finally the gods responded to the prayers of the citizens of Uruk and sent a wild, brutish man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh. The pair were set to wrestle, however when there was no clear victor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends...
Gilgamesh Restaurant and Babylon Lounge, set in the heart of Stables Market, Camden is over seen by the pioneer of Pan Asian Cuisine Head Chef Ian Pengelley, serving his leading contemporary style of Pan-Asian cuisine, developed from years of living in Asia and brought to the UK to much acclaim via E&O, The Hempel and the eponymous Pengelley’s of Sloane Street.
Discretely positioned in the Stables area of Camden market, this testament to cool, contemporary style, perfectly fused with the exotic imagery and mystique of the Babylonian era Gilgamesh will leave diners and visitors in awe of the venue, entertainment and most importantly the dining experience.
Stepping in from the hubbub of Camden’s riotous markets and immediately be drawn in by the sheer magnitude and vision of Gilgamesh. Diners ascend the escalator or if preferred may take the stairs passing the hand carved 'Tree of Life', inspired by friezes held at The British Museum, to your preferred dining and drinking area.
Gilgamesh is a 680 cover restaurant, bar, lounge and a traditional tea room all under one fashionable roof. Exclusive hire would allow you to invite a 1000 guests to a reception. The restaurant itself has 180 covers; 14 can fit around one table. The Babylon Bar is Gilgamesh’s VIP area, with lounge seating, beautiful hanging chairs and its own separate circular bar area.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Part 2001, part Da Vinci code, mixed with Bladerunner, a dash of Brazil and a sliver of Hellraiser the Westminster tube station is an architectural marvel.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
From Wiki:
As with other stations on the Jubilee Line Extension, the Jubilee Line platforms at Westminster have platform screen doors to improve airflow through the system (and presumably increase safety). The platforms are some 32 m (104 feet) below ground level, making them among the deepest on the Underground network. Because of the limited amount of space on the site, the two tunnels are "stacked" on top of each other rather than the normal side-by-side arrangement.
The station also features an access door straight into an underground walkway connecting the Houses of Parliament to Portcullis House, allowing MPs, Lords and others with access passes to the buildings to enter.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Part 2001, part Da Vinci code, mixed with Bladerunner, a dash of Brazil and a sliver of Hellraiser the Westminster tube station is an architectural marvel.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
From Wiki:
As with other stations on the Jubilee Line Extension, the Jubilee Line platforms at Westminster have platform screen doors to improve airflow through the system (and presumably increase safety). The platforms are some 32 m (104 feet) below ground level, making them among the deepest on the Underground network. Because of the limited amount of space on the site, the two tunnels are "stacked" on top of each other rather than the normal side-by-side arrangement.
The station also features an access door straight into an underground walkway connecting the Houses of Parliament to Portcullis House, allowing MPs, Lords and others with access passes to the buildings to enter.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Part 2001, part Da Vinci code, mixed with Bladerunner, a dash of Brazil and a sliver of Hellraiser the Westminster tube station is an architectural marvel.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
From Wikipedia
The station has an extremely austere interior, comprising gigantic concrete beams and columns criss-crossed by stainless steel escalators and floors, giving it a distinct "space-age" look. The reason for the presence of so many structural supports is because Portcullis House, home to the offices of many MPs, is located immediately above the station, so it bears a significant weight.
As with other stations on the Jubilee Line Extension, the Jubilee Line platforms at Westminster have platform screen doors to improve airflow through the system (and presumably increase safety). The platforms are some 32 m (104 feet) below ground level, making them among the deepest on the Underground network. Because of the limited amount of space on the site, the two tunnels are "stacked" on top of each other rather than the normal side-by-side arrangement.
The station also features an access door straight into an underground walkway connecting the Houses of Parliament to Portcullis House, allowing MPs, Lords and others with access passes to the buildings to enter.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Part 2001, part Da Vinci code, mixed with Bladerunner, a dash of Brazil and a sliver of Hellraiser the Westminster tube station is an architectural marvel.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
From Wikipedia
The station has an extremely austere interior, comprising gigantic concrete beams and columns criss-crossed by stainless steel escalators and floors, giving it a distinct "space-age" look. The reason for the presence of so many structural supports is because Portcullis House, home to the offices of many MPs, is located immediately above the station, so it bears a significant weight.
As with other stations on the Jubilee Line Extension, the Jubilee Line platforms at Westminster have platform screen doors to improve airflow through the system (and presumably increase safety). The platforms are some 32 m (104 feet) below ground level, making them among the deepest on the Underground network. Because of the limited amount of space on the site, the two tunnels are "stacked" on top of each other rather than the normal side-by-side arrangement.
The station also features an access door straight into an underground walkway connecting the Houses of Parliament to Portcullis House, allowing MPs, Lords and others with access passes to the buildings to enter.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Part 2001, part Da Vinci code, mixed with Bladerunner, a dash of Brazil and a sliver of Hellraiser the Westminster tube station is an architectural marvel.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
Pete and I had to pitch to a Public sector client in the parliamentarian hub today, so this naturally required a stop at the MPs station of choice. This was the second time I was in Westminster tube station in as many days, so it needed to be a pic a day.
Although it had close competition from the cloisters across the road, Big Ben looking particularly magnificent today and lunch with our French counterpart.
Westminster station always conjures up images of military intelligence and secret passageways. I think that there is secret (at the time) bunker accessible from the station somewhere. The architecture was one of the few progressive sites when I landed here in 2001. It was also recently a location for some scenes in the new Harry Potter film. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Part 2001, part Da Vinci code, mixed with Bladerunner, a dash of Brazil and a sliver of Hellraiser the Westminster tube station is an architectural marvel.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
Pete and I had to pitch to a Public sector client in the parliamentarian hub today, so this naturally required a stop at the MPs station of choice. This was the second time I was in Westminster tube station in as many days, so it needed to be a pic a day.
Although it had close competition from the cloisters across the road, Big Ben looking particularly magnificent today and lunch with our French counterpart.
Westminster station always conjures up images of military intelligence and secret passageways. I think that there is secret (at the time) bunker accessible from the station somewhere. The architecture was one of the few progressive sites when I landed here in 2001. It was also recently a location for some scenes in the new Harry Potter film. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix
Westminster Station, London - Film location of Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
Monday 2 April 2007
Banksy Rats, Banksy Rats, Thames Boulevard, Albert Embankment, London
Banksy Rats, Banksy Rats, Thames Boulevard, Albert Embankment, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
"In London you're never more than 20 feet away from somebody telling you you're never more than 20 feet way from a rat"
Banksy is a well-known pseudo-anonymous British graffiti artist. He is believed to be a native of Yate, South Gloucestershire, near Bristol and to have been born in 1974,but there is substantial public uncertainty about his identity and personal and biographical details.His artworks are often-satirical pieces of art on topics such as politics, culture, and ethics. His street art, which combines graffiti writing with a distinctive stencilling technique, is similar to Blek le Rat, who began to work with stencils in 1981 in Paris and members of the anarcho-punk band Crass who maintained a graffiti stencil campaign on the London Tube System in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His art has appeared in cities around the world. Banksy's work was born out of the Bristol underground scene which involved collaborations between artists and musicians.
Decided to catch the tube from Westminster this morning so I walked along the river and took this pic of Banksy 's cannon rats and flying scuba guys. There is actually another one without the scuba guys a little further along signed by Banksy. I've noticed that his art is disappearing from London so I thought I'd capture the moment for prosperity. Also started geo tagging the pics in the "pic a day" project so if you are interested you can find the location in London. This pic was taken across the river from the Houses of Parliment and Big Ben as seen in the background.
- A small number of Banksy's works can be seen in the movie Children of Men, including a stenciled image of two policemen kissing and another stencil of a child looking down a shop.
- In the 2007 film Shoot 'Em Up starring Clive Owen, Banksy's tag can be seen on a dumpster in the film's credits.
Banksy Rats, Banksy Rats, Thames Boulevard, Albert Embankment, London
Banksy Rats, Banksy Rats, Thames Boulevard, Albert Embankment, London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.
"In London you're never more than 20 feet away from somebody telling you you're never more than 20 feet way from a rat"
Banksy is a well-known pseudo-anonymous British graffiti artist. He is believed to be a native of Yate, South Gloucestershire, near Bristol and to have been born in 1974,but there is substantial public uncertainty about his identity and personal and biographical details.His artworks are often-satirical pieces of art on topics such as politics, culture, and ethics. His street art, which combines graffiti writing with a distinctive stencilling technique, is similar to Blek le Rat, who began to work with stencils in 1981 in Paris and members of the anarcho-punk band Crass who maintained a graffiti stencil campaign on the London Tube System in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His art has appeared in cities around the world. Banksy's work was born out of the Bristol underground scene which involved collaborations between artists and musicians.
Decided to catch the tube from Westminster this morning so I walked along the river and took this pic of Banksy 's cannon rats and flying scuba guys. There is actually another one without the scuba guys a little further along signed by Banksy. I've noticed that his art is disappearing from London so I thought I'd capture the moment for prosperity. Also started geo tagging the pics in the "pic a day" project so if you are interested you can find the location in London. This pic was taken across the river from the Houses of Parliment and Big Ben as seen in the background.
- A small number of Banksy's works can be seen in the movie Children of Men, including a stenciled image of two policemen kissing and another stencil of a child looking down a shop.
- In the 2007 film Shoot 'Em Up starring Clive Owen, Banksy's tag can be seen on a dumpster in the film's credits.
Sunday 1 April 2007
Snatch film location, The Drowning Trout, London
Today I had some 3 way skype action with friends in Cape Town and New York. One of my friends had changed his Skype mood message to "you hav'in a laugh? - is he hav'in a laugh?".
I think this was done as - I had attributed one of Henry Hill's “ Goodfellas “ quotes to him (on a flickr pic). So in response he cooked up a quote from Bricktop in the British gangster film " Snatch ".
I live around the corner from a pub used as a location in the film - The Jolly Gardeners is used as "The Drowning Trout". This is the pub where Sol and the boys catch up with Bullet Tooth Tony and it all kicks off. I had to pop downstairs for some "medicine" (better when said in Homer Simpson voice) and as it is was a beautiful day I thought I'd take a stroll and some pics.
Ha Ha. I was keen to see exactly how the "The Jolly Gardeners" was used in the film so I watched a bit of Snatch and took the screen dump on the left. "The Jolly Gardeners" is clearly named on the outside of the pub, but the exterior is no longer maroon.
I watched the scene shot in the pub, the dialogue and the close ups are incredibly well shot.
Ok so picture the setting Sol and his amateur "gang" have caught up with Bullet Tooth Tony and they are looking to relieve him of the stone the size of the Hope diamond. The following is the dialogue from the scene:
Bullet Tooth Tony: So, you are obviously the big dick. The men on the side of ya are your balls. There are two types of balls. There are big brave balls, and there are little mincey balls.
Vinny: These are your last words, so make them a prayer.
Bullet Tooth Tony: Now, dicks have drive and clarity of vision, but they are not clever. They smell p*ssy and they want a piece of the action. And you thought you smelled some good old p*ssy, and have brought your two small mincey balls along for a good old time. But you’ve got your parties mangled up. There’s no p*ssy here, just a dose that’ll make you wish you were born a woman. Like a prick, you are having second thoughts. You are shrinking, and your two little balls are shrinking with ya. The fact that you’ve got "Replica" written down the side of your gun.
[Zoom in on the side of Sol's gun, which indeed has "REPLICA" etched on the side; zoom out, as they sneak peeks at the sides of their guns]
And the fact that I’ve got "Desert Eagle point five O" written on the side of mine, should precipitate your balls into shrinking, along with your presence. Now… F*ck off.
Guy Ritchie in full effect.
Snatch film location, The Drowning Trout, London
Today I had some 3 way skype action with friends in Cape Town and New York. One of my friends had changed his Skype mood message to "you hav'in a laugh? - is he hav'in a laugh?".
I think this was done as - I had attributed one of Henry Hill's “ Goodfellas “ quotes to him (on a flickr pic). So in response he cooked up a quote from Bricktop in the British gangster film " Snatch ".
I live around the corner from a pub used as a location in the film - The Jolly Gardeners is used as "The Drowning Trout". This is the pub where Sol and the boys catch up with Bullet Tooth Tony and it all kicks off. I had to pop downstairs for some "medicine" (better when said in Homer Simpson voice) and as it is was a beautiful day I thought I'd take a stroll and some pics.
Ha Ha. I was keen to see exactly how the "The Jolly Gardeners" was used in the film so I watched a bit of Snatch and took the screen dump on the left. "The Jolly Gardeners" is clearly named on the outside of the pub, but the exterior is no longer maroon.
I watched the scene shot in the pub, the dialogue and the close ups are incredibly well shot.
Ok so picture the setting Sol and his amateur "gang" have caught up with Bullet Tooth Tony and they are looking to relieve him of the stone the size of the Hope diamond. The following is the dialogue from the scene:
Bullet Tooth Tony: So, you are obviously the big dick. The men on the side of ya are your balls. There are two types of balls. There are big brave balls, and there are little mincey balls.
Vinny: These are your last words, so make them a prayer.
Bullet Tooth Tony: Now, dicks have drive and clarity of vision, but they are not clever. They smell p*ssy and they want a piece of the action. And you thought you smelled some good old p*ssy, and have brought your two small mincey balls along for a good old time. But you’ve got your parties mangled up. There’s no p*ssy here, just a dose that’ll make you wish you were born a woman. Like a prick, you are having second thoughts. You are shrinking, and your two little balls are shrinking with ya. The fact that you’ve got "Replica" written down the side of your gun.
[Zoom in on the side of Sol's gun, which indeed has "REPLICA" etched on the side; zoom out, as they sneak peeks at the sides of their guns]
And the fact that I’ve got "Desert Eagle point five O" written on the side of mine, should precipitate your balls into shrinking, along with your presence. Now… F*ck off.
Guy Ritchie in full effect.