Imagine...

"Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or to die for, And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace..."
Flashmob dancers, John Lennon's song, Marble Arch, London

Victory!

Mixed emotions for the Oxford crew after winning the Boat Race on the Thames yesterday.

Ouch!!

International Pillow Fight Day was celebrated this afternoon in London's Kennington Park, but when the Mayor of London regains his sense of humour will he kindly restore this moment of blissful madness to its true home in Trafalgar Square. I'm sure Nelson will turn a blind eye and the lions may well roar their approval!

Posing

Ready for her close-up, amid a sea of golden daffodils in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace

Bejapers and Begorrah!

Four Wise Men at the St Patrick's day Parade in London, but did they know that their patron saint was  a British missionary sent to evangelize their country and that he was originally kidnapped to Ireland as a 16 year old boy?

Saint Patrick's Fans

A Bearded Lady plays her Gold Harp on Regent Street, just a small cameo in the London parade celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, two days after his feast day but worth waiting for.

Dragon Dance

Chinese New Year will be celebrated in London tomorrow. I caught this moment a few years back on the Charing Cross Road, as the annual parade danced its way towards Chinatown.

Angel Face

Canary Wharf is not the first place I'd go looking for an Angel, but this one fell to earth last night during their Winter Lights festival.....on for another week!

New Year's Day!

The marching band of Pennsbury High School, from the USA, perform in Whitehall during London's New Year's Day Parade

Sunrise

The view from my houseboat on the River Thames early this morning on almost the shortest day when, cloud permitting, the sun rises out of the river. Don't think I'll be as lucky tomorrow!

The Lion's Share

Child star Shirley Temple was quoted, "I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph." Finding these four only slightly dented my own faith. Happy Christmas to all chums!

Santa's Threesome!

Hi Girls! Thanks for posing at the Santacon gathering in Trafalgar Square last night for an old fashion photographer,  the only snapper using a camera rather than a smart phone. And for being patient while he dug out his reading glasses to show you the results!

Santa Claus is coming to Town...

Hundreds of Santas will be in London this Saturday for Santacon, a non-profit, non-religious and non-sensical Christmas street parade. This picture is from last year's event, when the Santas had  just arrived in Trafalgar Square, a little the worse for wear!

Them and Us....

A sobering message at a climate change protest rally in Berkeley Square, London

New Cafe Royal Book!

A big thank you to Craig at Cafe Royal Books for running more photos from my "Being English" book, available from bluecoatpress.co.uk at a modest £20....a lovely Christmas present!

The Gathering...

Families enjoying Autumn colour in Windsor Great Park, which was once part of a vast Norman hunting forest and was enclosed in the late 13th century. This Royal Park is managed and funded by the Crown Estate but is free for all to explore and enjoy.

Remembering...

The Waterloo Bonfire Society will parade through the streets of Lewes on Bonfire Night tonight, remembering the 17 Protestant martyrs who were burnt at the stake in front of the Star Inn, now the Town Hall, in 1555. It's mostly a night of celebration, but with grim undercurrents. On a lighter note, two effigies of Donald Trump will be going up in smoke tonight!

Fireworks!

Many thanks to Craig at Cafe Royal Books for publishing 36 pages of my Bonfire Societies photos, shot in The Sussex town of Lewes on November 5th in both 2013 and 2014. Big thanks also to the Waterloo Bonfire Society who welcomed me as their guest photographer for these two explosive and splendid nights.

Making Mischief

Heading across Kensington Gardens to a Halloween Party? Well no, because this picture was taken a week before the event. Yes, I should have asked but what if she had been a real witch and he a real devil? From my ongoing Londoner's Diary book project.

Solitude

The roar of Piccadilly a few hundred yards to his right and the pomp of Buckingham Palace to his left, but this man found a moment of peace and solitude amid the Autumn colours of Green Park that lies between the two. This is a picture from my ongoing Londoner's Diary book project.