The South Bank London

[Irish Stu]

It was my birthday yesterday so we took a trip into London to spend the afternoon on the area known as the South Bank... the south bank of the river Thames between the London Eye near Westminister Bridge and Tower Bridge further down river.

We parked at a shopping mall by the Olympic Park and took the Tube to Waterloo Station. Didn't spot any celebs on it though!







Sand has been dumped in places so that at low tide an inland beach appears!




Skateboarders and graffiti in the Southbank Centre undercroft








Another view of the Eye








An entire semi-permanent fairground has been built for the summer on the green near the eye
























A secret garden in the fair ground




Playing with fire outside the Tate Modern art gallery




























The newest skyscraper in London's ch-ch-changing skyline, The Shard








Fish 'n' Chip by St Paul's Cathedral




The Olympic Park with the Stadium and Velodrome one year to the day since the closing ceremony

[Tex]

Good pictures Simon. The Eye is pretty cool. I remember that it did not stop to board passengers but that you had to walk and step aboard.

[Irish Stu]

I've done the Eye several times now Tex, both daytime and nighttime flights, so gave it a miss on this trip and focused on the activities along the South Bank, including the pop up funfair. I cannot think of a better place in England to spend a summer's Sunday afternoon than strolling along the South Bank to the Tate Modern gallery then crossing the Millennium Bridge over the Thames to St Paul's Cathedral.

[innit Geezer]

How many times do you go around in the Eye? The height must freak some people out on occasion.

[Chicago Jake]

Simon, you always take great photos! You have a great eye for interesting perspectives and viewpoints.

I love photography, because it is the intersection of technology and art, and to do it well, you need a bit of both in your soul.

I love the shot of St. Paul's. Europe+England (I know you Brits don't count yourselves as part of Europe, and I don't blame you one bit) contain three great Cathedrals: St. Paul's (London), St. Peter's (Rome) and St. Mary's (Seville). I consider myself privileged to have visited all three, and always love seeing new photos of any of them.

PS - I'm also a big fan of the Tate Gallery, where a docent taught me how to appreciate modern art.

[Merlot Joe]

Late is better than not at all, Happy Birthday old man. Looks from you wounderful pictures that you had a great day.

[Irish Stu]

Aug 12, 2013 20:54:40 GMT -6 innit Geezer said:

How many times do you go around in the Eye? The height must freak some people out on occasion

Just once Gaz, and from memory I recall it takes about 30 minutes. The Eye gives you THE most stunning views of London!!

[Irish Stu]

Aug 13, 2013 0:22:39 GMT -6 Chicago Jake said:

Simon, you always take great photos! You have a great eye for interesting perspectives and viewpoints.

I love photography, because it is the intersection of technology and art, and to do it well, you need a bit of both in your soul.

I love the shot of St. Paul's. Europe+England (I know you Brits don't count yourselves as part of Europe, and I don't blame you one bit) contain three great Cathedrals: St. Paul's (London), St. Peter's (Rome) and St. Mary's (Seville). I consider myself privileged to have visited all three, and always love seeing new photos of any of them.

PS - I'm also a big fan of the Tate Gallery, where a docent taught me how to appreciate modern art

Thanks Jake.

I do think my eye for a good picture is improving, but of course digital photography allows you to snap away and take as many different shots as you want for no cost. On that particular day I took nearly 200 pics just to get a dozen or so that please me. I try to get as much in the pics as I can then be brutal - but not always - with the cropping.

[Irish Stu]

Aug 14, 2013 0:56:01 GMT -6 Merlot Joe said:

Late is better than not at all, Happy Birthday old man. Looks from you wounderful pictures that you had a great day

Thanks Joe.