Boooooooooooooo!

I got my new Radio Times yesterday, and they will NOT be showing The Subway next Thursday - in fact they aren't showing ANY HLOTS next week.I think another stern email to ITV4 is in order.














These pictures come from other people's stashes, but I'm no longer sure whose. Thank you whoever you are. I still haven't had the strength to cap this one.

The Snowdon Aviary

JoJo asked what the triangular shapes were at the back of one of the photos of the Grand Union Canal. It's The Snowdon Aviary, designed by Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's late former husband, also known as Anthony Armstrong Jones. He was a well-known photographer, but I have no idea how he came to design an aviary. It is as light and airy as it looks.

Long Tall Bobby

*Sighs*

Arrogant or Ignorant?

Round the corner from my house, a 1960s housing estate has been demolished, and a new one is nearing completion. The new houses have acres of roof, all in full sun (when the sun deigns to come out) but there is not a solar panel in sight. Such a lost opportunity.

Of course, the blocks of flats have communal TV aerials. Must get our priorities right.

The area is known as Sundermead, I suppose because the River Ravensbourne runs through the middle of it. One of the new streets is called Smead Way. Gee, do you suppose someone once abbreviated the new name to S'mead in a memo, and some stupid herbert didn't get it, and passed it on as Smead? A pound to a penny!

Most of the streets are named after trees that have never grown in the area - or at least, not in living memory. But at the heart of the development is an ancient mulberry tree,which has been fenced round for its own protection during the demolition and building work. Miraculously, it has survived the trauma. So to celebrate this iconic tree, the local authority has named the road it's on the corner of - Pine Tree Way!

They are either terminally stupid and ignorant, or just so full of themselves, they don't consider how ridiculous their decisions are.

Because he's so handsome...

...and I just can't look at him enough.

Grand Union Canal

London Zoo is divided by a road, and by the Grand Union Canal. There are tunnels under the former, and bridges over the latter. It's possible to live on a houseboat or barge on the canal, but I would imagine that the rental for a berth is astronomical.

This is the view east towards what I believe is a pub. You can also see some of the boats.


Below is a view of the canal to the west, showing how lush parts of inner London can be.

The paved path in both pictures is the old towpath, now used for walking and cycling.

Free Day

Today I unexpectedly had a free day. The school where I work on Tuesdays had a training day. I could have gone in, but I wouldn't have been paid. Much better to take the time spending money rather than making it! So I went to London Zoo for a change...

Zaire, the gorilla matron, is having a tough time adjusting to having a new young rival. She is plucking out her own fur - hence the mohican hairdo.

She was waiting for her food - something which, as you can see from her VERY large stomach, she loves. She looks so human squatting there with her hand on her hip.

When the food had been spread around outside for Zaire and Bobby they were let out. The keeper then prepared young Effie's repast. He put her food in a ball, which he placed inside an old plant pot, then wrapped these up in several old sacks. Effie had to unwrap her treats before she could eat them . Seems to me she needs a tougher challenge!

Her drink was in a large plastic bottle. She waited to finish her food before washing it dwon with what I believe is a herbal tea. Sorry this picture and the next got swapped round by Blogger.

Last time I was at the zoo, I had forgotten my camera, and the phone pictures made it very difficult to see the pygmy marmosets in the new rainforest enclosure. I had better luck today. They are so tiny and cute! They are smaller than the average rat. Their little faces are so human!

George the greenwing macaw loves to show off his natural behaviours, one of which is pulling himself along underneath a rope (doubling as a creeper) with his feet and beak.

Black and white ruffed lemurs are among my favourite creatures in the world. This one was brought on in the arms of her keeper like a live teddy bear. I'm so jealous.

Keep your shirt on!

Actually, I wish you'd take it off. But meanwhile I'll settle for you in your shirtsleeves. Could anything be finer? Your shoulders are just the right width for perfect hunkiness. your chest is broad and manly. When you cross your arms, you look divine. Your back - well, I'm speechless. And that shot of your beautiful butt as you walk away...you are the most tantalising man on earth. Please don't keep all your handsome assets under wraps. We'll book the hotel room. We'll even pay for the flight. All you have to do is be there and give each of us in turn a little treat...