An Urban Wander around Brighton

Until a few weeks ago I hadn't visited Brighton for several years, so was more than pleased to have the opportunity to spend a weekend there. Armed with my trusty phone camera, we set off exploring. First up we were greeted with quite a treat, the Brighton Breeze 2015, a VW festival on the promenade. I took hundreds of pictures here of which these are but a couple, but probably my favourites.

VW Campervans, Brighton Breeze

VW Campervans, Brighton Breeze

Also at the Brighton Breeze were a couple of other items of vintage interest to me. It wasn't until I looked closer at the photo though that I realised that these may in fact be re-makes or re-models, as the names have been changed from the originals I remember from the 1970's, i.e. Raleigh Chopper, Chipper and Tomahawk to what you can see below. Maybe some subtle play on words here I'm not seeing.

Vintage Raleigh bikes, Brighton Breeze

Ideal for picnics, this turntable in a suitcase.

Vintage record player, Brighton Breeze

Back on to more familiar territory now, we have a selection of ghost signs. The first one has possibly only recently been revealed, as I can't find any reference to it anywhere. I would think that it was some sort of garage.

PETROL PRATTS GAS

Ghost sign, Brighton

Next up is a wonderful doorway mosaic.

Doorway mosaic, Brighton

And the final Brighton ghost sign 

FURNITURE

SHOW ROOMS

Ghost sign, Brighton

As we wandered through the Brighton lanes, this street corner reminded me of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco.

Street Art, Sydney Street, Brighton

Please to see the bandstand still in great condition.

Band Stand, Brighton

And of course no trip to Brighton would be complete without a shot of the Pavilion.

Pavilion, Brighton

A weekend was far too short a time ... we will be back.

    

A short Urban Wander around Queen's Park and Kensal Green, London

Unfortunately I had nowhere near enough time to do this area justice, and only managed the briefest of urban wanders during a short lunch break.

I've posted about the Kensington Gasworks previously when I wandered along the Grand Union Canal, but had not seen the works from this side before. The view is across the Kensal Green Cemetery.

Kensington Gasworks, London

This was a curious old van. I've seen ones similar to this used as coffee shops, but this one just seemed to be full of cardboard boxes, with a foliage trim to the windscreen. Maybe it's work in progress and will transform into something wonderful.

Old Citroen Van, Queen's Park, London

Not sure who the shadow is in the picture ... ok, well maybe I do. A shame as it was a lovely old VW Van. Maybe I should try and airbrush myself out.

Old VW Campervan, Queen's Park, London

There you go, I said it was brief. Until next time ...

    

An Urban Wander from Chiswick to Kew

I've just returned from three wonderful weeks in and around North and South Carolina. I have some pictures to share from that trip but still have a small, pre-holiday backlog to work through first. A couple of days before I left for my summer holiday, I made a small trip to Kew Gardens. Not the the gardens themselves but to the general area. I had originally intended to simply travel there by tube, but there was a signalling problem at Richmond meaning that the trains were not running on that part of the line. I was forced therefore to alight early, at Chiswick Park, and make the remainder of the journey by foot. I've been to Chiswick High Street plenty of times but have never ventured south to the river, so this piece of luck gave me an opportunity to do just that.

The first few pictures were taken walking along the northern bank of the River Thames towards Kew Bridge. The bridge appearing in the photos is the District Line crossing the river towards Kew Gardens and Richmond, and the island in the background is Oliver's Island.

District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

 District Line and London Overground rail bridge across the River Thames, London

River Thames near Chiswick, London

This half-height door is placed in the house wall, well above where I assume the high tide would come

 

Door situated well above the Thames path, near Chiswick, London

I wasn't expecting to see any ghost signs in Kew so was pleasantly surprised when I spotted this old metal sign for the Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company, just at the southerly end of Kew Bridge.

Ghost sign for the former Caxton Name Plate Manufacturing Company, Kew Bridge, London

I love old cars but don't actually know very much about them, unless it's glaringly obvious, so unfortunately I have no idea what this first car is.

Old car, Kew Gardens, London

Ok, so this one is a bit easier. I didn't actually see the second Volkswagen camper van driving past until I started uploading the photos to the blog.

Volkswagen Camper Van, Kew Gardens, London

This is a Bentley judging from the winged B badge on the bonnet, but more than that I cannot tell you. Lovely looking car though.

Bentley, Kew Gardens, London

This is a curious building. It seems to have been built as an iron church or tin tabernacle back in the late 19th century. It seems to have been used as a working men's club at some stage but would now appear to be for sale.

Former iron church, Kew Gardens, London

As an enjoyable urban wander came to an end, the sun set on a perfect day. Kew is a wonderful place, only perhaps over shadowed by the near constant noise from the planes as the come into land at Heathrow.

Sunset over Kew Gardens, London