Snow ... and we awaken the inner child.

First snow sightings in London. from Warrenism on Vimeo.

And so the winter season has really commenced.
For most Northerners, the appearance of snow barely raises an eyebrow of a reaction. Yet again, another day of cold bitterness and gloom. However, for the recent migrated Southerner, it invokes the inner child. How delightful it is to have the soft gentle flakes float down and rest on the bridge of our noise. Like mana falling from the skies, we eagerly devour the delights on offer.

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Cloud watching - Timelapse

Cloud Watching from Warrenism on Vimeo.

Fairy floss clouds casually tumble on by,
while the frentic citizens scurry along in their time-poor lives.
Elephants, lions and dragons too,
they are all up there, an everchanging zoo.

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Music: Fink - So Many Roads

Fink - So Many Roads, originally uploaded by Mr Bopperleaner.

Caught the trio of Fink at the Jazz Cafe in Camden.
In a word - Brilliant!

Lead singer Fin Greenall comes across with a certain meekness on stage, an artist who truly enjoys the craft he delves. The songs although simple pack an undenialable potency that courses through the body. Check out "If Only", "So Many Roads" to really be caught in a trance.

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Music: Patrick Watson @ Union Chapel

Who would have thought that going to church would be so entertaining. This evening saw me catch Patrick Watson up in the Union Chapel - Highbury and Islington. It is actually a church on Sundays that functions as a music venue on other days.


The church is of Victorian gothic architecture, and was designed by James Cubbitt, and constructed between 1874 and 1877. The stained glass windows and gothic alcoves are all there and to be able to experience music in such an intimate setting is really quite something. Pews are free for all and it's first come - first served, hence down the front pews would provide some great seating. For the gig photographer, there are just some great little nooks to get around whilst also using the decor to really enhance the mood and ambiance of these live acts.



Patrick's vocal work for Cinematic Orchestra To Build A Home is pretty unforgettable. It's haunting and moving in the delivery, definitely one of my all time favourite tracks.

For most of the evening, these guys were just having a blast playing a collection of their songs from there 3 album catalogue. Stellar tracks for me were Great Escape and Luscious Life. Much to the delight of the audience, Patrick strapped on a portable loudspeaker pack and with band in tow, proceeded to run around the chapel belting out an acoustic tune.







A tip for those who enjoy heading out to gigs and taking an odd photo, try turn the flash off! It still astounds me how people who can sit over 50 metres back and still pop off their flash hoping to get a shot! Instead, steady yourself against a wall/post/pew/shoulder of someone, turn off the flash and fire a shot. You never know, you just might like what turns out.

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Beached as in Brighton.

Brighton, situated on the southern coast of England, is approximately an hour an half out of London. Being a beach town, it's a natural choice when the Sun decides to grace us with its presence. It's easy to moan about the lack of sand, lack of surf and most importantly - lack of buxom bikini-clad women but really, Brighton really does offer more!

My visit to Brighton happened to coincide with tail end of the Brighton Festival which was more fortunate. The city is a buzz with locals and visitors reveling in the warmth of the sun and gentle sea breeze. Street performers line the street demonstrating both feats of strength and artistic entertainment to keep the young kids enthralled.







Being a beach town, what would a trip be without shots of the beach and horizon. The key difference though, is the significant lack of sand. Known as a shingle beach, pebbles and stones cover the vast stretch of the foreshore. Definitely makes for uncomfortable sitting.







The key attraction of Brighton is without a doubt, Brighton Pier. Initially built in 1899, it has undergone numerous reconstructions but it was only since 1986 did it begin to operate as an amusement park. This includes a roller coaster, countless spin-trons, a merry go round and a plethora of skill challenging side-stalls.











So while Brighton lacks the surf, the sand and the hot bodes, there is still a charm about the destination that really oozes positive sentiments and vibe. It's evident that people are enjoying themselves as indicated by the smiles and laughter. For young and old, there definitely is plenty to be engaged with.
Check out more images over at Flickr

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Greenwich, not Green Witch!

Greenwich - pronounced GREN-itch, is based south east of London. Noted for lending its name to Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Time, it's also home to several iconic landmarks - The Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum and the Old Naval College. Armed with trusty camera, novel(The Kite Runner), and Percy Pigs, I set out on a glorious sunny Spring day to bask in history and culture. Oh did i mention sun? In England!

Yes, it's hard to believe the naysayers that London is cold and miserable when one is blessed with days like these. Wandering through the quaint Greenwich town centre, markets are littered around the district with home cooked foods, knick knacks and antiques on offer. The town is bustling with tourists and locals, faces carrying smiles apart from those scoffing down on refreshing treat.

First notable landmark was the Old Naval College. In the Painted hall, an intricate and expansive artwork covers the entire ceiling.




Next up the National Maritime Museum, housing a collection of marine artifacts from yesteryear, there was also a simulation of a modern ship sailing through the River Thames.




And finally, the main drawcard of the district, the Royal Observatory.
This places draws some serious crowds who flock to have their picture taken standing on the Prime Meridian, essentially a steel line running on the ground that marks the basis of longitude (the lines that run north-south of Earth). What people get out of it sure beats me.





More images can be seen here.

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London: Camden Crawl 2009

Well Dublin didn't happen as you maybe aware. So eager to avoid a weekend at home lamenting what could have been, the hunt was on to get out and about. Camden Town, a suburb renowned for it's alternative atmosphere, liberal attitude and associations with popular culture. Each year, an inner city festival takes the town by frenzy with a smorgasbord of live entertainment. Running over two days, music is the big attraction of the event, drawing bands like Klaxons, Mystery Jets, The Fratelli's and Hot Chip. Rumours are rife throughout the day as big name artists throw impromptu lounge room gigs whilst British celebs are spotted out and about for a sneaky drink.

Events are spread out over the entire town at numerous bars, pubs and music venues. With wristbands armed and setlist ready, the challenge; to get too as many gigs as possible.

The tickets! No need for visas here!

Pub No# 1 - Hello 1st Pint of Beer

Pub No #2 - Free cider courtesy of our generous sponsor - Gaymers Cider

Pub No #3 - Bar Vinyl

Pub No #4 - The Good Mixer - too bad it stank!

Event No #5 - General Fiasco @ The Electric Ballroom

Event No #6 - Elviin @ Earl of Camden and the gang of Camden troops


Event No #7 - Random Hard House mixing it up on petrol powered decks.

Event No #8 - The Invisible @ Dingwalls

Event No #9 - 808 State @ Koko



Not too shabby of an effort one would think until you realize that there were approximately about another 50 bands available to check out!! Although there wasn't any authentic Guinness to sampled, it was a great replacement!

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UK: Bath and Stonehenge

So what better to do on a weekend than to escape the buzzing hive of activity of London and to head out to the countryside. You are greeted with lush green rolling hills with the livestock leisurely grazing at the grass. It's far removed to the concrete jungle that London has evolved to be. Our journey, would see us head to both Bath and Stonehenge.

The City of Bath is famed for its Roman remains and Georgian architecture is situated 120 miles west of London. It's a charming and quaint city filled with laneways of history and stories of the past. The Romans conceptualized and built a bathing establishment known throughout Europe, the Saxons and Normans erected monasteries and cathedrals and finally with the pre-modern age, Georgian architecture constructed to complete the ecelectic mix.


Rolling green hills overlooking the city


Pulteney Bridge - Built for William Pulteney by Robert Adams, the bridge was an attempt to connect central Bath to land on the other bank of the River Avon and make Pulteney's fortune.


The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1775 to the design of John Wood the Younger, and forms a semi-ellipse of thirty Grade I listed houses arranged around a great Lawn.


Begun in 1499, Bath Abbey is the last of the great medieval churches of England.
More images can be found here

Stonehenge
For the uninitiated allow me to post an extract from Wikipedia:
"Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) west of Amesbury and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones and sits at the centre of the densest complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.[1] Archaeologists had believed that the iconic stone monument was erected around 2500 BC

I present to you in colour - Stonehenge.


And something a little more edgier!


To be honest, it's rather difficult to be overly enthused by what is essentially a set of rocks piled together, but nevertheless the mystery of its function and the reason for the construction is one of interest.
If anything, i guess i can tick it off the "list of things to see that i can say i have seen".

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Archway - Home #2

I guess some of you maybe curious as to the condition of the abode that i am residing in. Be curious no more. I present to you - 61 Bachelor Place .

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Architecture in London

So after i was freed from the G20, i took some time out to wander more of the streets of London.
Not really knowing much about the cityscape and landmarks, it was a great opportunity to explore and acquaint myself with the geography of the city.

There is a great contrast in the architecture between that of the modern and that of the historic. Dispersed amongst modern buildings, there are monuments that have withstood the countless generations and societies that have come and gone. St Paul's Cathedral is one example of this. There has been a Cathedral on this site for 1,400 years and the present Cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren is now fast approaching the 300th anniversary of its completion.





Tower of London


On the more modern end you have the Swiss Re building - affectionately known as the "erotic gherkin". There are just somethings you don't question.



Definitely looking forward to expanding this portfolio of architecture images.

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G20 Protest

I don't profess to know much about world politics, but what i do know is that there are a large group of passionate and vocal people who want their thoughts to be heard concerning the current state of affairs. News reports state about 35000 showed up around the banking district of Moorgate / Old Street and supporters no doubt made their presence felt. With anti-capitalists calling for reform, greenies demanding for climate change to be addressed and those calling for bankers' heads, there was little doubt most had an issue of contention on their mind.









More can be seen in my London set here

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