DOWN LONDON STREET TO LIMEHOUSE

 
The United Reformed Church carries a date of 1800. Robust Tuscan columns and plasters form giant orders along the front. Not the most wonderful proportions but it has a powerful presence, especially as I enter the street from Jacob's Alley.

Then there's a quirky three story building dated 1870. Pale yellow brick with red accents. Further along we have the Nat West Bank. Remarkable for its Corinthian pilasters, each capital given a different treatment. Quite an orgy of creative invention. Rather rudely treated by the signage but it survives.

 

 

 

This is one of my choices for daily exercise. The War Memorial Park is just around the corner. Also it is a popular venue for all kinds of events. This morning they were setting up a circus tent. Last weekend it was vintage cars.

I have only just started to notice the wedge shaped stone slabs set into the perimeter pathway, with short poems inscribed. So far I have spotted two. Is it possible that they are pointers to the primary compass directions. Pure speculation on my part.

Basingstoke is full of these enigmatic markers, statues, plaques, historical quirks. I love it.

 

It was a cold day, by my standards at least, but I headed into London to meet up with my old pal Rufus. Been a while. We had a quick look inside St Anne's Limehouse which he showed me round before when I was making a Revit model of this splendid Hawksmoor church.

The stained glass of the main East window has been refurbished and is really glowing now. The deep blues especially really pop out. I have known this area off and on for almost 50 years through various friends and relatives living there, so it was nice to take a stroll past Limehouse Basin on the way to the church. Such depth of history to enjoy.

 

From the church we strolled down to Narrow Street for fish and chips plus a pint of draught hopsy beer. Important to fit that in at least once in any trip to the UK. The Grapes is a wonderful old pub, partly owned by Ian McKellen of Gandalf fame. It hasn't been spoiled by over diligent restoration work. Truly a gem.

Almost next door is Dunbar Wharf which also maintains its sense of age without drifting into disrepair. Rufus has ambitions to research and survey the property. Who knows, could be another collaboration. It would be a suitable challenge for the BIM pencil.