Old Spitalfields Market

There has been a market on this site since the 1600s. The name comes from a medieval hospital that was here during  the 12th cent  known as 'The priory of St Mary of the Spittle' which gave rise to the first part of the name of Spitalfields.

In 1886 Robert Horner, a former market porter bought the lease for the market and rebuilt it. It is now one of the best surviving Victorian Market hall in London.

In 1991 the original fruit and veg market moved from these premises to Leyton in east London. Today the market is thriving with its array of stalls, restaurants and bars.

Anyone for a hat?

This view shows the length of the market on the left and  Christ's  Church at the end built by Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Across the road from the market is the old fruit and wool exchange where the distributors would go and purchase large amounts of goods arriving from abroad. It opened in 1929 but once the market moved, so did the wholesalers and the building eventually ceased auctions of goods. After much debate, the developers have got their way and the building will be redeveloped although the frontage will still remain. Interestingly the local council has twice refused planning permission to turn the building into yet more office space but the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has stepped in and approved the planning permission!

Ahead of the decision broadcaster John Nicolson, who lives nearby, said: "Tower Hamlets have ruled twice that the building should be retained, across party lines which is most unusual.

"But Boris Johnson has this extraordinary power, he can step in and decide that he is going to act as the planning officer for any building in London.

"It's a developer's fantasy, not least because Boris Johnson has voted for the developers in 100% of cases where he's chosen to intervene."

Hove

What a difference a few days make. The weekend was like Summer with glorious blue skies and sunshine. Yesterday I went to Hove which is next to Brighton on the South coast and it was like a winter's day.

No-one using the beach huts today.

Keston Village

Although it was a misty start to the day,  the forecast promised it would be hot and sunny. Normally I do not go on country walks on my own. However there was no group walk planned for last Sunday so decided to go it alone. This goes against all common sense as having an accident whilst alone or getting lost etc etc but I was determined to be out and about in the Kent countryside.

I was following a path I knew which took me through Keston Village. Once again the storm damage could clearly be seen as yet another fallen tree blocked the path.

There are two  large ponds at Keston and the ducks were quite active. This Mandarin was eyeing me up and telling me to keep my distance.

Most villages have their own distinctive sign. This is a new one erected in 2013 and features the Keston windmill, church and Roman burial mound.

Leaving the village behind I walked up a small hill to seethe Wilberforce Oak. The inscription on the bench is from the diary of William Wilberforce in 1788

'At length I well remember the conversation I had with Mr Pitt in the open air at the root of an old oak in Holwood, just above the steep descent into the vale of Keston, I resolved to give notice on a fit occasion in the House of Commons of my intention to bring forward the abolition of the slave trade'

Sadly this is all that remains of that oak tree today

Walking on I had a vague idea of where I wanted to go. Did I have a map? Oh no that would be far too sensible. All I had to do was follow the yellow arrows. What could be easier. I climbed over this style and crossed the field but ended up on private property. The owner told me that someone had been messing with the signs and directed me in the right direction.

The second time I got lost I scrambled under this barbed wire fence as I could see some kind of path on the other side. I felt much happier following the path until I came to this signpost.

Which way now???

This field looked promising as it seemed to have a well trodden path going across.

Some wealthy land owner arriving home by helicopter.

Climb over the style or just follow the path? Decisions, decisions.

Clambering through the trees.

 At least this field just had horses in it - although not sure I should be walking across it!

I quickly walked around the electricity pylons.

 At last the village of Downe which I knew. It had taken me 4 hours to get here and I still had a couple of miles to get back to the car but at least I wasn't lost. I think I just might invest in a map next time.

Changing the guard in Quito

Every Monday morning at 11am in Quito, Ecuador, they change the guard outside the Presidential Palace. As my flight home wasn't until the afternoon I was fortunate to just have enough time to watch the spectacle. It was a colourful, solemn occasion.

There was a marching band as well as a ceremonial band.

 A number of schoolchildren sat in front of the Palace all dressed in their best uniforms.

The President and his family came out onto the balcony to huge cheers from the crowd.

As the flag was raised the band played the National Anthem with everyone joining in with enthusiasm.

Summer in the city

When I published this post yesterday it should have had these accompanying photos but when I looked today they had mysteriously disappeared.
With temperatures soaring this weekend (18 C on Sat and 20C on Sun) the London Parks were heaving with tourists and locals searching for space to sit down and have a picnic.