Exploring with my camera
Bradshaw’s Hand Book to London 1862 says of Seven Dials on p.120: ‘..The angular direction of each street renders the spot rather embarrassing to a pedestrian who crosses this maze of buildings unexpectedly, and frequently causes him to diverge from the road … Continued
We return to Oxford Street and just beyond Argyll Street should find the Pantheon, converted in 1834 into a Bazaar. (Pictures here.) However, the building was demolished in 1937 and the site is now M&S.
Mr Bradshaw accompanies me to London each week for an intensive guided tour. I plunge into the London of 1862, trying to understand, comparing his thoughts to my own, and just savouring me-time. I am learning a lot – retaining … Continued
Mr Bradshaw encourages little diversions during his tours, and one’s state of mind is very important: ‘..A person in good humour always sees the sunny side of every cloud, while another is too prone to be prejudiced by unfavourable impressions..’. … Continued
Mr Bradshaw, in his Hand Book to London, has made me keenly aware that London is constantly changing over a ground bass of links to the past, but often with a ‘continuity of purpose’ (read Peter Ackroyd’s London).
The churches in Soho Square all carried memories for me when I visited the Square. The French Protestant Church was founded in 1550 in London and was a refuge for those fleeing persecution in France in 1572, and particularly after … Continued
Mr Bradshaw does not mention Cavendish Square and yet the Cavendishes were closely involved with the families developing in this area. I went to look. The traffic roars around the square but it was built as a residential area and I wondered if … Continued
Mr Bradshaw accompanied me to London this afternoon for the first time since mid-September – I have missed him and today felt almost like a secret assignation. I set off rather nervously with my new camera. Mr Bradshaw launched himself: … Continued
Mr Bradshaw and I have taken a rest from each other over the past few weeks so that I could visit Sicily – fabulous! – and deal with some family problems/challenges. Then my camera broke…. Next week I will be … Continued
Mr Bradshaw and I had rather a subdued day today – perhaps I was just tired, or perhaps I was disappointed. View Bradshaw, Regent Street in a larger map Behind The National Gallery I was to note ‘..the new structure [which] opened in … Continued