Published on 13 October 2011 in London, beer, London, River Wandle, walking, Wandle Trail, Young's
Ever since the Wandle passed under a train line in Merton, it's changed. Less playful, less happy. The river has been hiding away from the Wandle Trail. Keeping its distance.
Published on 12 October 2011 in London, London, Merton, River Wandle, walking, Wandle Trail
Last time I tried to walk down the Wandle Trail round the Merton/Sutton border, I got lost in a housing estate. Somehow I lost the river and never managed to find it again.
Published on 11 October 2011 in London, London, River Wandle, walking, Wandle Trail
There are two sources to the Wandle and one is at Waddon Ponds where swans and geese glide effortlessly across the water, and small children try to offer them bread to eat.
Published on 10 October 2011 in London, London, River Wandle, walking, Wandle Trail
East Croydon railway station is a strange place for the 13 mile Wandle Trail to begin. It doesn't really make much sense. The source of the River Wandle is actually a few miles up the road at Waddon Ponds, right next door to a tram stop. I could just sit on the tram and do the first part without even moving my legs.
Published on 16 August 2011 in London, London, swimming, Tooting
Opened in 1906 as Tooting Bathing-Lake, the Lido is one of Britain's oldest outdoor swimming pools and took on much of its current form in the 1930s when changing rooms and a cafe were added.
Published on 10 August 2011 in Internet, Colliers Wood, London, Merton, social media, Twitter
Yesterday I sat at home reading through the results of Twitter searches for #collierswood and 'Colliers Wood' trying to the gauge reaction from the highly organised looting of our nearby shopping centres. Amongst the many tweets of reaction and photos were statements that it was all kicking off again. They'd struck the Tandem Centre again; people were fleeing Sainsburys in panic; hoodies were hanging round the tube station carrying golf clubs. Staples at South Wimbledon was on fire. Police sirens were going off everywhere as they couldn't cope.
Published on 9 August 2011 in London, Colliers Wood, London, Merton, police
Colliers Wood. You've probably never heard of it. It's a small place nestled between Wimbledon, Mitcham, Morden and Tooting. It's in the borough of Merton and in the historic parish of Merton. It has a pig ugly tower painted black and some out of town style shopping centres. Nothing really happens here. Normally.
Published on 12 February 2011 in London, British Museum, London, museum
I'm half an hour early. Over the road is somewhere I've not been for ages. It was probably a couple of years ago since I last set foot in that building, whilst doing some touristy stuff with visiting parents. I walk up to the building, admire its grand neo-classical architecture; it's grand columns rising high above. Oh the British Museum, how amazing you look tonight.
Published on 13 August 2010 in Daily Links, BBC, BBC Breakfast, BBC Out of London, buses, London, Manchester, Merton, money, online banking, Salford, vending machine, web development
Hmm. Methinks this is less Daily Links and more monthly links! Giant Chinese ‘straddle bus’ drives over traffic Bonkers idea or genius new way at tackling congestion? You decide. Call to improve password security – BBC News Apparently we need to make passwords longer because shorter ones will be easily cracked. But frankly sod the cracking – people already struggle with passwords and if we make them longer, then people are going to struggle to remember them. Case in point – me. Halifax recently changed their online login requiring brand new "memorable data". They then pick three letters. The data they had me use is so long that to get the three letters I have to write down the password on a Post It note… It really is time the password died and something easier to use took its place. Why the US keeps minting coins people hate and won’t use – BBC News Apparently in the USA they're making dollar coins people won't use because they prefer notes. Personally I can't imagine still having a pound note in the UK – my wallet would just be full of paper… What makes a place worthy of World Heritage status? –... View Article
Published on 3 August 2010 in London, Radio, Television, BBC, London, radio, television
If there's one thing that seems to provoke irie from the BBC's viewers and listeners, it's doing anything about London on air. Well unless said viewer and listener is in London. Probably.