The Durbar Court

On Monday morning I had to sing for my supper at the Foreign Office. The FCO fund election observation missions and want to know how their money has been spent, what we did and what impact it has.

Fitzrovia Chapel

Yesterday I went with The Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens to the Fitzrovia Chapel. Above, is what it looked like when the Middlesex Hospital was demolished;  rather forlorn.

Culture in Chisinau

I bet you are bored with Election Observation protocol, so I will reward your patience with what really happens in the field.

Javea Architecture

On the skyline, inland from the lighthouse, there are eleven disused windmills, mostly dating from the 18th century.

Two Churches

Javea is a different kettle of fish to its neighbour on the Costa Blanca, Benidorm. Actually I’ve not been to Benidorm so maybe it is a city of culture with architectural integrity.

Corner Shop

Doreen Fletcher has been recording the architectural history of the East End since the mid 1980s. She did this for her own pleasure and has only recently been “discovered”.

Bridges

On the seven mile stretch of the Thames upstream from Hammersmith to Richmond there are nine bridges. I’ve always wondered when they were built.

Art & Architecture

At least my ninth visit to Venice but my first in January. Among the advantages at this time of year are clear skies and a low sun, creating a coruscating light show on the canals, and the absence of crowds.

The Tulip

Tulips belong in Amsterdam. This Tulip is a proposed 1,000 foot tower to be plonked down next to the Gherkin in the City. I disapprove of the desecration of London’s Square Mile by greedy vertical developers and this one is the limit.