The Last Gate

Temple Bar Gate --- Paternoster Square in background

At one time, London was surrounded by high walls, a testament to it's stature of a historic prized city worthy of protection and defence. London was a City of monarchs, a seat of Government. From the Romans to the Georgians, London was fortified, intersected by impressive city Gates.

Today, all we can see are remnants of the old walls (in fact, you can even see Roman wall ruins), and no city gates except one, survive.

Temple Bar --- inside Gate, towards St. Paul's Cathedral

Today, I want to talk about the last gate, Temple Bar. Today, Temple Bar survives in a new location in London, in paternoster Square. Paternoster square underwent a major refurbishment in 2003 and now Temple Bar, the last surviving gate in London serves as the entranceway to this square from St. Paul's Cathedral.

If you are visiting London, be sure to check this gate out. I will be adding more information about this gate and the square in due course, including it's history and more pictures.

Until then..... stay tuned!

Until next time.......

Links to more information:-

>Temple Bar --- Wikepedia

Miniature London

Miniature London
Originally uploaded by RichardBlogger2010

Recently, I've had a temporary volunteer job just off Brick Lane in East London; and so I've regularly passed through Spitalfields to either go for lunch or to take the bus home after work.

I really enjoy the walk as I see the changes in architecture as you leave the Brick Lane area (Victorian, Georgian buildings) and enter the City boundaries (modern corporate type architecture and offices).

In Spitalfields, there is a sculpture done in concrete on permanent display, and I really like it. And so, i've taken a picture of it and dressed it up a little.

If you want to find this sculpture or even, explore the Spitalfields market, you will find this off Bishopsgate, just up the road from Liverpool Street Station. Enjoy!

Until next time....

Entertain yourselve at Covent Garden!

Using one of the brilliant apps freely available for the iPhone and the IPod Touch, and with the aid of apple's free wireless, I am writing this blog while sitting on the curb at Covent Garden. As I write, I'm listening to live music at 9:30 pm from an excellent singer with a guitar. He's drawing a large appreciative applause from the top balcony of the Punch and Judy. Covent Garden is well worth a visit at any time. There's always entertainers, always something to keep you entertained. But at night.... There's live music. Well, at least at the times I've visited. At night, the atmosphere is relaxed and calming. Just what you need in the recession when you're feeling low. The singer is just now singing his last tune of the night... Until next time..... Stay tuned. More at Through the eyes of a Londoner (Blog)

Goodge street

Goodge street (Print B)
Originally uploaded by RichardBlogger2010

Hi all,

I just had to write something today as it has been too long since my last post.

Here is a picture of Goodge Street heading West towards Mortimer Street in Central London. Goodge Street is located roughly between Euston Road and Oxford Street / Tottenham Court Road.

All IT enthusisasts, or those interested in electronic gadgets will find plenty to see in this area.

Stay tuned.......

About "Through the eyes of a Londoner"

Hi all, I just wanted to write a quick note outlining the main objectives of this blog.
Basically, this is a blog about London through my eyes. I've lived in London all my life, walked the back streets, seen the hidden corners, discovered the hidden gems that the average visitor (or even resident) have never seen or even noticed.

This is a blog for Londoners and tourists alike (of particular value to tourists) as it is packed to the rafters with valuable, interesting, fascinating and exciting material. Throughout, I literally link to any resources that have a bearing on the posts that I've written, and also cross link my previous posts that have a bearing on what I've written. That way, you get as much information as you want and deserve in that particular subject.

Throughout, you'll notice some photographs that I've taken (and indeed, purchasable prints are available). All photographs featured are of London and are London related.

Finally, let me finish by welcoming you to this blog, and to extend an open invitation to come again. This project has certainly proved to be an exciting one for me, and should prove to be a project that would continue for quite some time as literally, London is so big and so full of hidden gems at every corner that I'm sure this blog could continue for some years to come.

Please be assured, this blog is regularly updated several times a week at least.

Got an idea or place in London that needs researching? contact me.

Queensway

Queensway
Originally uploaded by RichardBlogger2010

This is one of my favourite station interiors on the tube. Recently refurbished. The light, subtle shades, reflections and dark paint really do work well together.

I always use this station to frequent the local queensway computer fair (open all week) and so have noticed the improvement that came with this refurbishment.

Visitors to London will certainly appreciate nearby Kensington Gardens; which is directly across the road from this station.


If you like this picture, prints are available via Redbubble (available for sale as Greeting cards, Matted prints, Laminated prints, Mounted prints, Canvas prints and Framed prints).

The Gherkin

The Gherkin
Originally uploaded by RichardBlogger2010

Taken last Thursday as I passed through Devonshire Square, EC1.

I enthusiastically reccomend anyone visiting London to explore this area (immediatly to the east of Liverpool Street and Bishopsgate) as it has a lot of modern and Victorian / Georgian architecture. Some buildings are Victorian or Georgian in origin but have been refurbished.

Well worth a visit.

If you're interested, You may purchase this picture via Redbubble.