Crystal Palace Subway

I seem to miss London's Open House every year, so this time I ordered the brochure, applied for every available ballot and booked in as many buildings as possible!

Then the day came, and the stormy weather somewhat dampened my enthusiasm...

Saturday was a write-off, but on Sunday the clouds parted and we headed off to Crystal Palace to explore it's hidden subway.

This now disused subway station was built in 1865 to give easy access to the Crystal Palace itself - a cast iron and plate glass building at the top of Sydenham Hill. 

Unfortunately when Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire in 1936, the subway became somewhat superfluous.

The Brunel Museum

On Saturday we did't fancy a heavy night on the tiles so Donna worked her magic and found us this little gem in Rotherhithe to visit.

The Brunel Museum now happily sits in the Brunel Engine House, which originally housed the drainage pumps for the Thames Tunnel.

What is the Thames Tunnel you ask?? Well as you asked so politely -it was a tunnel built under the Thames in 1825 to connect Rotherhithe on the South to Wapping on the north-for pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages back in the day! 

Unfortunately it's now part of the London Overground network so you can't go through it, but the Engine House is definitely worth a visit now that there is definitely no drainage pumping going on!!

This summer there is a cocktail bar on the top of the Engine House and a gig venue below.

It's nestled right next to the river, so I couldn't resist taking a few snaps!

Inside Mr Brunel himself watched over us.

In the cocktail garden these wee ones were keeping an eye out.

After a few drinks we headed down into the engine chamber to see an unofficial Last Night of the Proms (hence the union jacks thrust at us!) concert by Horns Aloud.

We had to crawl in a hidden entrance and climb down scaffolding just to get in.

The exit...

Once the concert had finished we headed back up top for more cocktails and marshmallows over the fire.

Until next time Rotherhithe! We'll be back!

Kirsty x

Thirteen years today

It's hard to believe it has been thirteen long years since the horrific tragedy that changed the world forever.  Those of us old enough to remember will never forget where we were when we learned the horrible news.

Last year when I was visiting New York with friends we went to visit the memorial that has now been created in place of Ground Zero.

The 9/11 Memorial is located at the site of the World trade Centre complex and occupies approximately half of the 16-acre site. The Memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers.

Hippopo Thames

I know we're all used to seeing odd things floating in the Thames, but this time there's no need to avert your eyes! There's a HIPPO! A giant floating hippo!

Go check out Florentijn Hofman's new floating art installation- which after a leisurely swim down the Thames last week is now harboured at Nine Elms in Vauxhall. 

I ran down for a look...so let me introduce you to Mr Hippopo Thames...

Photography 'Meetup'

While I love that I can spend hours wandering the streets of London with just my camera in tow, it's always fun to meet fellow photographers to not only gain tips but also to see things from a different viewpoint. After hearing about the site and app Meetup from my trendy mother, I jumped straight in and went to a photography class and tour of Highgate Cemetery at the weekend.

This famous cemetery dates back to 1839 and is home to Karl Marx, Douglas Adams, George Elliot and Jeremy Beadle to name but a few and really is one of the most tranquil places I've been to in London.

There are a range of different groups you can join, but I highly recommend this one! Check it out here!