PHOTOGRAPHY: THE TOWER OF LONDON

The Tower of London, perhaps the biggest rip off as tourist-trap hell-holes go in London, with an adult ticket priced at no less than £21. It may be nearly 1000 years old and is in pretty good condition, but is it really worth that scandalous admission price?

The last time I visited it was in 2001 and all I can really remember is being whizzed around on one of those airport-style moving walkways to view videos of the crown jewels; not even the real thing. It also brought back memories of yearly primary school excursions to the Tower.

I suppose, at the end of the day, if you a fan of royal memorabilia or have a strong interest in the history of the British monarchy, a visit to the Tower of London would be a great day out. I, for one, could not be less interested if I tried.

PHOTOGRAPHY: TOWER BRIDGE

Tower Bridge is without doubt the most iconic bridge in London. It's not my favourite (that honour goes to Hammersmith Bridge), but it is a sight prettier than most other bridges on the Thames, even if it does lose a lot of its charm the closer you get. I would like to walk across the glass-bottom walkway, but £9 for that privilege does seem a bit steep to me.

TOWER BRIDGE AND IN THE DISTANCE THE DOCKLANDS, SEEN FROM MORE LONDON

TOWER BRIDGE AND BUTLER'S WHARF SEEN FROM TOWER PIER

PHOTOGRAPHY: SKYSCRAPERS IN THE CITY

There seems to be new skyscrapers popping up all over the City of London, and with "quirky" nicknames that accompany their even "quirkier" shapes. The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe), The Cheesegrater (122 Leadenhall Street), The Walkie Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street)... I dread to think what they come up with next... The Loobrush Holder?!

ILLUSTRATION: SELFIE

Illustration titled Selfie.

ILLUSTRATION: SHEEP

Illustration titled Sheep.

SHAUN IN THE CITY

While roaming around central London this afternoon, I came across something I definitely did not expect to see... Two fairly large statues of comical looking sheep in Trafalgar Square and St James's Park. Upon closer inspection, I saw that they are part of the Shaun in the City Trail which was launched in London at the end of March and will run until 25th May.

There are 50 statues designed by celebrities located around the centre of the London and Docklands, which will later be auctioned to raise money for children's charities. There will be another trail in Bristol with 70 (different) statues from July 6th to August 31st. Finally, all 120 statues will be on show in Bristol from 12 - 20 September and then in Covent Garden, London, from 24 - 27 September.

If you want to go sheep hunting, there is a downloadable pdf Shaun in the City map (careful when downloading this on mobiles as it is no less than 16.4MB!!)

Nº10. NELSON (TRAFALGAR SQUARE)

Nº11. ME LLAMO SHAUN (SPRING GARDENS, ST JAMES'S PARK)

PHOTOGRAPHY: IS IT A DUCK? IS IT A GOOSE?

I saw this pretty bird while walking through St James's Park earlier this afternoon. I was not sure if it was a duck or a goose, but have since discovered that it is a ruddy shelduck, which apparently is like an intermediate between the two. Confused? Welcome to the club... Anyhow, ginger animals rock!

PHOTOGRAPHY: DEFYING GRAVITY

So how does one rest while balancing on one leg and still manage to keep a look out for danger? Ask this black swan in St James's Park... It takes multitasking to a new level.

ILLUSTRATION: SIURANA

Illustration titled Siurana.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº12

Illustration titled Owl Nº12.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº11

Illustration titled Owl Nº11.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº10

Illustration titled Owl Nº10.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BATTERSEA POWER STATION

As far as industrial buildings go, the old power station in Battersea is pretty cool... Or at least it was until the developers got their greedy little mitts on it. For as long as I can remember, it has not been used, although there have been untold redevelopment plans which have never seen the light of day. From what I have seen, the iconic chimneys are going to be the focal point of the redevelopment and they are committed to "engaging with the local community"... Just how true this is is another matter.

To see the plans, visit the Battersea Power Station redevelopment website.

BATTERSEA POWER STATION SEEN FROM NINE ELMS LANE

BATTERSEA POWER STATION SEEN FROM CHELSEA BRIDGE

PHOTOGRAPHY: WALK ALONG THE RIVER

The weather has improved a lot in London over the past week or so and already certain "newspapers" are proudly boasting that it is hotter than in Spain. It certainly has been warmer, but I would not say it was Mediterranean style weather (try convincing those who insist on walking around in shorts and the dreaded flip flops).

Anyway, when the sun decides to put its hat on in London, a walk along the Thames is always welcome.  The other day I took a stroll along the river from Vauxhall to Chelsea. There are some nice views along this stretch of the Thames Tow Path and relatively few tourists.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº9

Illustration titled Owl Nº9.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº8

Illustration titled Owl Nº8.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº7

Illustration titled Owl Nº7.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº6

Illustration titled Owl Nº6.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº5

Illustration titled Owl Nº5.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº4

Illustration titled Owl Nº4.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº3

Illustration titled Owl Nº3.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº2

Illustration titled Owl Nº2.

ILLUSTRATION: OWL Nº1

Illustration titled Owl Nº1.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HARE KRISHNA

The Boat Race is - for me, at least - a dull affair, and not the place where you would expect to see a group of Hare Krishnas. They made me smile.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Mantra

PHOTOGRAPHY: THE BOAT RACE

The 161st edition of the Oxford - Cambridge boat race took place this afternoon. The photo above was taken shortly after the start next to the Craven Cottage stadium (Fulham) with the two crews evenly poised. The race was eventually won by the Oxford by a large margin.

ILLUSTRATION: RANGOLI Nº11

Illustration titled Rangoli Nº11.

ILLUSTRATION: WINTER IN DALECARLIA

WINTER IN DALECARLIA © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

This A4 illustration, titled Winter in Dalecarlia, was inspired by the decorative wooden horses (Dalahäst) from the Dalecarlia (Dalarna) region of Sweden. It features a red Dala horse, set against an imagined Dalecarlian winter background. Materials used: promarkers and fine liner pen.

This piece has subsequently been redone, as it was destroyed by the devil dog.

This is part of a mini collection of season-themed illustrations:

• Winter in Dalecarlia
• Spring in Dalecarlia
• Summer in Dalecarlia
• Autumn in Dalecarlia

ILLUSTRATION: SPRING IN DALECARLIA

SPRING IN DALECARLIA © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

This A4 illustration, titled Spring in Dalecarlia, was inspired by the decorative wooden horses (Dalahäst) from the Dalecarlia (Dalarna) region of Sweden. It features a red Dala horse, set against an imagined Dalecarlian spring background. Materials used: promarkers and fine liner pen.

This piece has subsequently been redone, as it was destroyed by the devil dog.

This is part of a mini collection of season-themed illustrations:

• Winter in Dalecarlia
• Spring in Dalecarlia
• Summer in Dalecarlia
• Autumn in Dalecarlia

PHOTOGRAPHY: OLD BIRMINGHAM

As well as the previously mentioned [very] modern architecture in Birmingham, there are many other older buildings which are worth visiting and are further proof that "Brum" is not as bad as it made out to be. The Birmingham City Council House and Town Hall (located in Victoria Square) and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BM&AG) and Chamberlain Memorial (both in Chamberlain Square) are good examples of this. There is, however, lots more to see.

BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY AND CHAMBERLAIN MEMORIAL

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL HOUSE

BT TOWER

BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL

ST PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL

PHOTOGRAPHY: REGENERATING BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham has a reputation for not being - shall we say - very attractive, but judging from what I saw during my recent trip there, this is not the case. The city is undergoing a bit of a transformation and, at present, looks like one very large building site. However, there are some very original buildings which are well worth observing. The futuristic Selfridges building in the Bullring is particularly interesting, as are the Library of Birmingham and the New Street railway station (currently under reconstruction).

SELFRIDGES BUILDING IN THE BULLRING

BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET STATION

LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM IN CENTENARY SQUARE

PHOTOGRAPHY: FULL MOON

Full moon in London last night. Apologies if the image is slightly blurry, but it's not quite warm enough yet to be dangling out of a tenth floor window in the very early hours of the morning.

PHOTOGRAPHY: FALLOW DEER

Have you ever seen anything so cute? Well, probably yes, but the dozing fallow deer of Golders Hill Park, north-west London, certainly get the awwww factor going.

PHOTOGRAPHY: EXOTIC BIRDS IN LONDON

There are some curious exotic birds to be found in the middle of Golders Green. Anything is better than feral pigeons, but I must say the Sacred ibis is not the best looking of chaps.

CATTLE EGRET

GREATER RHEA

LADY AMHERST'S PHEASANT

LITTLE EGRET

SACRED IBIS

PHOTOGRAPHY: THE MEDITATING LEMUR

Unexpected resident of north-west London... A ring-tailed lemur sunbathing/ meditating in Golders Hill Park.

ILLUSTRATION: PUSS OCH KRAM

PUSS OCH KRAM © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

This A3 illustration, titled Puss och Kram (Kisses and Hugs), was inspired by the decorative wooden horses (Dalahäst) from the Dalecarlia (Dalarna) region of Sweden. It features a two Dala horses, set against an imagined psychedelic Dalecarlian background. Materials used: promarkers and fine liner pen.