Summer In The City

For all my friends that have left London for a life in sunny Australia, Lanzarote, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Spain, California or Bangkok - here's a reminder of what you're missing.

Shucks!

I make the same mistake every summer: forget about the broad bean to pod ratio.

Wet Canvas

Like we haven't seen enough 'dramatic' skies over Clissold Park this year to last a lifetime....

Annual Anatolian Cultural Fete setting up shop in Clissold Park. Two weeks of stormy weather - guaranteed.

Brian has decided to paint a series of 'Dramatic Skies over Clissold Park' landscapes. Thanks B, now we can enjoy them indoors as well as out.  

'(It's All) Kicking Off' by Brian Ayling

Hackney Weekend

"You definitely, definitely want to go then? You wouldn't rather go into town and choose your birthday present? It said on the radio here were going to be 100,000 people there and five hour queues and 'airport style' security and you saw Jay Z at that ghastly Wireless thing that time... and Rihanna. I don't mind taking you if you really want to go but..."
"In the car."
"There's no parking there Ed. All the roads will be closed. It says to take the bus... or walk." 
"Daddy can drop us off. Then you can get the bus back straight away. Hurry up, the others are already there."
"Jeez! What time did they get up then? Anyway, I'm nowhere near ready." 
"You don't need to put make-up on. You're only getting me through the gates then you can go. No one's going to see you. I don't know why you're wearing those Wellingtons -there won't be time to get them muddy. You're not stopping. And you don't need an umbrella. You're only going to be there five minutes. Then you're LEAVING. It's stupid that fourteen-year-olds have to be with an adult. We're not babies."
"You're thirteen. Ready?...."
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"There's no way I'll be able to stay in this queue. It goes on for miles. I can't see the end of it. I need a wee already." 
"Shush."
"And I'm thirsty. And hungry."
"Be quiet."
"As soon as we get in there we're looking for the ladies." 
"No we're not. We're looking for my friends. Then you can go home to use the toilet."
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"Bye then."
"Bye. Sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Bye... Actually, Mummy, can you go and get me one of those T shirts with the line-up on the back? I'll wait here."
"Okay."
"Hang on. Can you get me a wrist band as well? A purple one. Please."
"Right."
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"Where have you been?"
"Traipsing round this place for hours. I bumped into quite a few people I know. Here you are."
"Bye then."
"Text me later."
"Wait! We need drinks but we can't get them coz we'll lose our place. Coke please."
"I'll get you some water as well. See you in a bit."
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"Here take these."
"I thought you'd left. You've been ages."
"I had a row with them. I asked for three waters and three cokes and they said they had to take the lids off all of them. F*** knows why. I've spilt half of it on the way back. Can I go home now please."
"After you've given me some money."

The Longest Day

And the wettest

Marvinllous

...and first prize goes to.... Brian! Well done Brian.

Where's Eddy

Can someone with fresh eyes please look at this and tell me if they spot Ed.

The Thing About This Job Is...

you just never know what you're going to come home to.

Beautiful Baths from Catchpole & Rye, shot at Lordship Park

A house full of cast iron baths.

(Brian: Tell then I'm out dog walking. I'm not helping shift that lot.)

Or Something quite different...

(Brian. No, it's fine - you go to Pilates, I'll hold the fort.)

Friday Night in Soho

... been killing time in the wine bars of W1 while the boy treads the boards and earns a crust.

Gold Accessory

DAMN! Didn't know they came in gold.

Take a Bow Son

It's the equivalent to 3 Michelin Stars in the Spray Painting world, The Turner Prize amongst taggers, the Golden Globe of the Graffitarati, The Nobel Prize for Pieces: Joe has got a picture of his 'art' onto the prestigious LDN GRAFFITI Website. 

Welcome Home John

From Koh Rong, Cambodia to..

 Clissold Park, Stoke Newington.

And back again, if he's got any sense.

Ed's First Night...

And...

The Voice

''You have reached your destination. You have reached your destination. You have reached your destination.'

Me: No we haven’t! We haven’t left home! I haven’t even started the engine. What’s she talking about?!

Ed: Calm down. It’s just telling you how loud the volume is. Do you want it this loud?

'You have reached your destination.'

Ed: Or this loud?

'You have reached your destination.'

Ed: Or this…

Me: Stop. That’s fine. Leave it like that. That’ll do.

Ed: You know your way to the theatre anyway. We don’t need this. Let’s have the radio on. I’m quite nervous.

Me: It might tell us a new, better, more interesting, FASTER route. That’s what it’s for isn’t it? We don’t want to be late for your first show.

Switch the off the radio, I can’t hear what she’s saying. Right type in our destination.

Ed: Shouldn’t we have done this before we set off?

Me: Nah. Type in Palace Theatre.

Ed: It’s asking me which city.

Me: Well type in London then. Duh.

Ed: It’s gone onto Log..ro..no.

Me: Where the ****s that? Give it to me. No, no, no, not London Ontario. What’s the matter with it? Stupid thing.

Ed: Mummy, mummy, the lights are green.

Me: Here we go… Palace, Palace, no not Palace of Versailles, Palace Theatre… Syracuse. Palace Theatre London. Take it. Take it quickly I’m driving. Press done. There we are.

Ed: Now what do I do with it?

Me: Stick it on the windscreen.

'When safe to do so turn around. When safe to do so turn around.'

Me: I’m not doing that. She wants me to go through Angel.

Ed: You don’t have to whisper. It can’t hear you.

Me: Sorry, sorry, I know that’s probably the most direct route but it’s always a bit busy. I’m not ignoring you but I’ve done this route a thousand times.

Ed: It’s a computer.

High Spirits

I know how she feels...

Spent all day yesterday tormenting myself with images of John laying unconscious on a beach at Koh Phangan after the Full Moon Party...

Here's him and Buster in their Party T shirts - they don't see a problem with drinking a bucket load of mixed spirits diluted with the local Red Bull.

No Joe, you're not going there next year.

Bank Holiday Weekend

Time To Get A Sat Nav

Took a wrong turn on the way home from the theatre Friday evening...

Quiet Before the Storm

Something nice and gentle before nine million street parties kick-off this weekend.  
Katie was photographed at Lordship Park yesterday by Susan Allnut. Susan takes stills on movie sets, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, 28 Weeks later...  have a look at her website.