South Bank, the London Eye and Big Ben

The South Bank and London Eye have been lit up with lights and a traditional market for the festive season. I was walking round before Christmas enjoying the festive atmosphere of the market. Walking along the river front towards the London Eye the Houses of Parliament were lit up and reflections glowing in the river Thames.

It seemed a popular spot for people taking photos of each other with Big Ben in the background. I was impressed by peoples moving out of each others way to allow the tourist shot. I took some of my own when a break appeared in the clouds to let some of the moon's light filter through.

Seasonal Photos around London

I've been taking photos of the Christmas lights and decorations, ice rinks, markets and shop fronts on my visits around town.


I always feel a bit excited when the streets are lit up, what ever the occasion. I didn't manage any fireworks this year so the Christmas lights are making up for that. Bit disappointed with the lights at Covent Garden this year, though the kissing tree is a bit of a novelty.

The Market on the Southbank is bigger this year and the Chocolate Festival was on when I went and seeming very popular.


One of the stalls had some amazing chocolate objects including shoes,gloves, Reindeer heads and potted flowers.

Yangtze The Long River Nadav Kander at Flowers

By chance picking up my photographs from Print Space in Kingsland road ( who are worth looking at if you need photographic printing, link here. )

I spotted this exhibition in Flowers Gallery which is just a few door up.

Really evocative photographs by Nadav Kander of views along the Yangtze river in China. Almost painful some of them, the contrast between the rapid industrialization and the remnants of more traditional ways of life. The sheer scale of some of the bridges and industrial areas is incredible and here Nadav Kander shows that human activity stills carries on alongside such places, washing hanging on makeshift lines, and swimmers amongst the pollution.


Definitely worth going to see. Flowers website here more about Nadav Kander here

Lord Mayor;s Show and David Hockney in Paris

I was off taking photos of the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday, continuing with my documenting of the traditions in London. I hadn't been to the show before (quite often because the weather was bad and/or it's the season for colds and virus.)

I was surprised to find that it was such an old tradition, apparently it was the 795th show, which is quite incredible and there was at least one man dressed as a Knight representing the Knights of the Knightengild who were given land for loyalty to King Edgar in the 10th century. They protected London training in East Spitalfield. Knightengild is now the ward of Portsoken link to the history here


I was also surprised to see how many modern Livery Companies were part of the parade. I hadn't quite realised that modern businesses would like the idea of being part of a pageant, but I suppose tradition is a powerful thing.

I enjoyed being around before the start of the procession and at the end as people returned to the Cheapside area. The Lord Mayor's gold coach is amazing, it was a bit difficult to get a good photo as it came past though.


Spotted a news item about a new David Hockney Exhibition in Paris. Called Fresh Flowers it is Hockney using new mobile phone technology to make drawings and send them through to the gallery. I have always loved Hockney's response to new technology how he has embraced it and really enjoyed finding new ways to express himself.
Link to the gallery here