Tower of London Remembers

If you haven't already seen it publicised, a new art installation has been 'planted' at the Tower of London. Entitled 'Blood Swept Lands and Sea of Red' it marks one hundred years since Britain's involvement in the First World War.

A staggering 888,246 ceramic poppies are being planted in the Tower's moat throughout the summer - Each poppy representing a British military fatality during the war.

The poppies will be displayed until the 11th November, before being sold for charity. I've already pre-ordered mine, but you can still pick one up here. (you may need to be quick though- my order no. was almost at 290 thousand something!!)

The site, while beautiful, is also a striking visualisation of the heartbreaking loss of war, and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that were made before most of us were even born. 

These chaps lay guarding the poppies, and I certainly wouldn't mess with them.

Sculpture in the City

Sometimes the problem with London is there is almost too much to do.  Too many events to cram into one weekend.  Too many places to be.  Too many choices to make. The chance of missing something 'unmissable' is a weekly occurrence.  Keeping on top of every new bar, restaurant or pop-up in London is enough to give even the most trendy Londoners a headache.

With the release of this year's Open House guide on Friday, I've therefore decided -for the moment at least- to stop searching for what's new in London and take a step back to look at what's already here.  With my four year anniversary in London coming up in a few weeks there's really no excuse not to get my act together.

While Open House is not until September(20th/21st), I happened to come across some other sites work a peek while researching.  With two appointments in the City- and with four hours to kill in between them... yes four hours..- I thought it would be the perfect time to take a look at the sculptures currently on show in London.

The majority of these are part of the free Sculpture In The City exhibit dotted around the Square Mile in London City - so if you have half an hour to spare go take a look!

The beautiful Leadenhall Market was the perfect start to my tour.

Time here becomes space, Space here becomes time by Cewith Wyn Evans

False Ceiling by Richard Wentworth

Then I wandered on around the rest of the Square Mile to check out as many as I could find.

High Wind IV by Lynn Chadwick

Work Scaffolding Sculpture by Ben Long

Lloyds

Salvia by Julian Wild

Fall by Paul Hosking

Deadly Nightshade by Julian Wild

Southern Shade II; V by Nigel Hall

Kiss by Nigel Hall

Open Air Theatre

Rain rain go away, come back another....eh...year?

On Thursday the heavens opened above London and the rain came a' pouring! Of all the days to have tickets to an Open Air Theatre! 

Come rain or shine however, the show must go on! With the lazy summer pre-theatre picnic we had planned now off the table, we headed under cover and hit up East Street for a quick spot of Asian nosh.

Sam had trouble deciding 

I didn't...

Coconut curry and corn fritters mmmmm

In fact we got so distracted by our tasty food we failed to even notice that the theatre-gods had had their awesome way, and melted away the clouds! We headed up to Regent's Park with our brollies safely hidden away :)

Nestled in the heart of Regent's park is the Open Air Theatre

When you look skywards you see nothing but trees..

Don and Sam

The amazing stage setting

For tonight's production of 'The Sound of Music'

Despite the questionable weather the place was packed out!

And then show time!

I have to admit I have somehow avoided ever seeing The Sound of Music in any form. Despite the constant repeats at Christmas, Julie Andrews warbling tones have managed to escape me.

Having previously been a tad on the cynical side I have to admit that the performance won me over! The singing was spectacular, the children were adorable, and the overall production was seamless! It runs until 14th September, so I highly recommend you pick up a ticket before it sells out!

Standing ovation all round!