tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82148043808286781052024-03-14T10:52:44.022-07:00East5EdgeLA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-57793019555674087212014-03-31T13:28:00.000-07:002014-03-31T13:28:27.084-07:00Teen Artist<br />
Check out this 16-year old artist's painting of the River Lea at Hackney Wick and more on his site www.clockwiseart.wordpress.com<br />
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<a href="http://clockwiseart.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/river_lea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://clockwiseart.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/river_lea1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-33548074314129566512012-02-19T07:04:00.000-08:002012-02-19T07:04:48.321-08:00Art along the riverHackney's graffiti artists keeping the walk down the river Lea vibrant and dynamic. Here's a gallery from my walk from Clapton to Fish Island earlier in the week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviOdYbqzfJfohw7v04swn_1XL3vmK_dCd-j7KikE8FU8a1aNi_stAvdHdjtGyhKfgYeJVhk0Hf-EhjdF31srF5oVwciqE-k08q-iCQaPSYxfqKGH6uKuK2rLax-R2Zy2BtC2fJ4zfwhcs/s1600/IMG_8877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviOdYbqzfJfohw7v04swn_1XL3vmK_dCd-j7KikE8FU8a1aNi_stAvdHdjtGyhKfgYeJVhk0Hf-EhjdF31srF5oVwciqE-k08q-iCQaPSYxfqKGH6uKuK2rLax-R2Zy2BtC2fJ4zfwhcs/s400/IMG_8877.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-20269221859969739492012-02-19T06:56:00.000-08:002012-02-19T07:05:55.703-08:00Green and Pleasant Hackney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>February... not long to go now before the beautiful green expanse of the football pitches is lost to the olympic (car) park. In June, the now peaceful marshes will host the Radio One Hackney Weekend, a star-studded musical extravaganza. Paths have been manicured, resurfaced and bridges updated and painted.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the football pitches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7xbLSvP9Pcm3EoEPwjjxPaaq1hmpVQ3fj9gSAvNTIbCiXevPZB_lrHGWaRBAqTvs-NCOVODBFa5M9-WQcfX2zylXuYmZQqLGCX0oliK8dlSeoOBs9WCyvpD8VYZYfGFr_3IPizRVZvon/s1600/IMG_8967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7xbLSvP9Pcm3EoEPwjjxPaaq1hmpVQ3fj9gSAvNTIbCiXevPZB_lrHGWaRBAqTvs-NCOVODBFa5M9-WQcfX2zylXuYmZQqLGCX0oliK8dlSeoOBs9WCyvpD8VYZYfGFr_3IPizRVZvon/s400/IMG_8967.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River Lea, Springfield </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2MfoTBMBJS1DFcIoZ_B47dg1U0d4UlGnWXQdxmRQwHxQtMtX1H4mkA6W9DSMQiJ7IfkrvUth0w52oL1VK3ZkqMsNG-0ythLUNzXp7b0dwVjs54Y0TE6wiZuVymBui0fPjsZWUB37pnXp/s1600/IMG_8970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2MfoTBMBJS1DFcIoZ_B47dg1U0d4UlGnWXQdxmRQwHxQtMtX1H4mkA6W9DSMQiJ7IfkrvUth0w52oL1VK3ZkqMsNG-0ythLUNzXp7b0dwVjs54Y0TE6wiZuVymBui0fPjsZWUB37pnXp/s400/IMG_8970.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River Lea, Hackney</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw9Z3X_VpIXNhAV2DQIriEl6ey6iTxSo-aBfo0zKA9Q_iie_4tp7qfqkN-Vx3Ie0XxmDXX3zBw4QRc-wiC9QqMaMKNW1kYRZVqX5eTQyaP3IeFWh49FwjoRQyrEXnAc4zB4tTcdLodI-N/s1600/IMG_8976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw9Z3X_VpIXNhAV2DQIriEl6ey6iTxSo-aBfo0zKA9Q_iie_4tp7qfqkN-Vx3Ie0XxmDXX3zBw4QRc-wiC9QqMaMKNW1kYRZVqX5eTQyaP3IeFWh49FwjoRQyrEXnAc4zB4tTcdLodI-N/s400/IMG_8976.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kYob3_0UZvU3DYMmBKBNoeu0FekMB9F1BAoMY7VAiSVLa8iHOg78QhcPuk79XaxBP2tVnGnw7-StHm2O4AUnB819AGkN3j0_ZmnyFdtrDWUnKi3-gehIORasYW1IeGZx7EbOeo3U6rPS/s1600/IMG_8961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kYob3_0UZvU3DYMmBKBNoeu0FekMB9F1BAoMY7VAiSVLa8iHOg78QhcPuk79XaxBP2tVnGnw7-StHm2O4AUnB819AGkN3j0_ZmnyFdtrDWUnKi3-gehIORasYW1IeGZx7EbOeo3U6rPS/s400/IMG_8961.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This February Sunday it feels as if spring is near and the sunshine has enticed local people out of hibernation, cycling, walking, playing, rowing... making the most of Hackney's gem.</span></span></span></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-9813573264807437942011-09-28T03:13:00.000-07:002011-09-28T03:13:06.057-07:00Sunny Sunday MorningsAnother beautiful Sunday morning... London Fields Lido for a swim, then on to Columbia Road market for breakfast. This colourful street, brimming with flowers and plants, is lined with a wonderful mix of shops selling everything from homewares, vintage fabrics and fashion, jewellery, garden accessories, art and food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IZknAqBpswoxnZi7pHC9k73Xqwzp7e48IqPO7CV3x2Z-tDnH_OAZ-vRVT6fWBNmGVVB94LCevuLzfabCu9ODhZ8DVbi9JcsRI_fr3UiczsBAOf7WUnZoBbzvoUD9DHBVe9rXULExbX3f/s1600/IMG_7800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IZknAqBpswoxnZi7pHC9k73Xqwzp7e48IqPO7CV3x2Z-tDnH_OAZ-vRVT6fWBNmGVVB94LCevuLzfabCu9ODhZ8DVbi9JcsRI_fr3UiczsBAOf7WUnZoBbzvoUD9DHBVe9rXULExbX3f/s400/IMG_7800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Jessie Chorley and Buddug Humphreys' shop <a href="http://www.jandbtheshop.com/">J&B</a> is a beutifully styled collection of handmade jewellery, journals, cards and home ornaments.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEKDG4MU5WpXaluyM_aoJYYAHkbGYinPTIYUPWAVTummOfXUIVq8wt614aBcpN5drDq0mdU9m4jvxYje1ULPTriatlPTfHOf5bcQDRwq9DVpOF9vmvk126uQDPhcz8xXaViV4WuR4iTA9/s1600/IMG_7802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEKDG4MU5WpXaluyM_aoJYYAHkbGYinPTIYUPWAVTummOfXUIVq8wt614aBcpN5drDq0mdU9m4jvxYje1ULPTriatlPTfHOf5bcQDRwq9DVpOF9vmvk126uQDPhcz8xXaViV4WuR4iTA9/s400/IMG_7802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-74960422392577660902011-08-01T04:37:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:15:06.039-07:00Hackney Wicked<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb_bART7XDIaCrdSDEe_YYpNSQ2dMmxJus1dE0myi3yez_3im7XguMQX4A1K6JyC0LtlpYaOeYNQ9Jex1Ps4ZvZY4YPPsZo4Z4B73mX2B1WZDlnooH_QfozMaeKNNHtsdAoFT8GTQSxBl/s1600/Olympic+Stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb_bART7XDIaCrdSDEe_YYpNSQ2dMmxJus1dE0myi3yez_3im7XguMQX4A1K6JyC0LtlpYaOeYNQ9Jex1Ps4ZvZY4YPPsZo4Z4B73mX2B1WZDlnooH_QfozMaeKNNHtsdAoFT8GTQSxBl/s400/Olympic+Stadium.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The completed olympic stadium across the river from Hackney Wick</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiEU1UNv4z5l2GPSyNRFW1pClRkbPD_O06hpJ9VkH5_Ffkb9M4nQZ-OkSzLNmINrVCNi1mE5Ly4BzZ73DJfKDokb7CDmwgKXadl4gECxKEB6egPYVtEk8JEX5yEGLVtDCp5ZjzLW2u7Kb/s1600/grafitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiEU1UNv4z5l2GPSyNRFW1pClRkbPD_O06hpJ9VkH5_Ffkb9M4nQZ-OkSzLNmINrVCNi1mE5Ly4BzZ73DJfKDokb7CDmwgKXadl4gECxKEB6egPYVtEk8JEX5yEGLVtDCp5ZjzLW2u7Kb/s400/grafitti.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div>With just a year to go until the 2012 Olympics, the walk along the river Lea is changing... new surfacing on the footpaths and reinforced banks, the beginnings of the inevitable manicure of Hackney Marshes. This weekend the usually peaceful path from Millfields to the Olympic site was unusually busy and our leisurely walk was spent constantly sidestepping to avoid being mown down by the stream of cyclists who were, as we, heading for the 4th <a href="http://hackneywickedfestival.co.uk/">Hackney Wicked</a> arts festival. The streets of Fish Island on the opposite side from the 2012 site were crowded with people enjoying a hot, sunny weekend of cultural offerings. This weekend, the area, which hosts the highest concentration of artists' studios in the country, was buzzing with a creative celebration of art, craft, music and moving image.<br />
Local artists opened their studios and exhibited work in pop-up spaces. There was a feast of multicultural food and drink stalls and craft market stalls lined the curbs. Live music filled the air and booze-happy revelers partied into the balmy night.<br />
The river, coated in green algae, provided cool respite for some daring swimmers and played host to a Coracle Regatta. Courageous volunteers raced across the river in the tiny bowl-shaped vessels, many capsizing into the water, drawing a crowd of cheering spectators on both banks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaynhFuZ-OwT2AAUatqgLDRR15KG_hmnqE0Uyce2otEHJJamzADbEPksciKXRwuGAxSq9eZPzGxwvltC14xPbWXoc5rGdttfwJ0IbC32n1iTifGOKZdZ9Ox3w9-9OJCazSIAompkMbQF9K/s1600/Coracle+regatta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaynhFuZ-OwT2AAUatqgLDRR15KG_hmnqE0Uyce2otEHJJamzADbEPksciKXRwuGAxSq9eZPzGxwvltC14xPbWXoc5rGdttfwJ0IbC32n1iTifGOKZdZ9Ox3w9-9OJCazSIAompkMbQF9K/s400/Coracle+regatta.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The Coracle Regatta on the River Lea</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96EcGiOohJdC_4t-GW26Tu4GFJjSrF8AVbreO90z-QkRv1qoXRdGuDPACUWoG-lMvNG-ZJRa0HXPhxnvu4DkARU7gXE5YdyBebMEW4RAOk44JMUDKsaYbIKddFsMQf6AwAJDPVmWgyU-z/s1600/folly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96EcGiOohJdC_4t-GW26Tu4GFJjSrF8AVbreO90z-QkRv1qoXRdGuDPACUWoG-lMvNG-ZJRa0HXPhxnvu4DkARU7gXE5YdyBebMEW4RAOk44JMUDKsaYbIKddFsMQf6AwAJDPVmWgyU-z/s640/folly.jpg" style="border: none;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Folly for a Flyover under the A12 in Hackney Wick</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">As we wandered back towards home we stopped for some shade and refreshments at <a href="http://www.follyforaflyover.co.uk/">Folly For A Flyover</a>, a temporary building (café) hand-built using reclaimed wood from the area underneath the graffiti-adorned east and westbound flyover of the A12. The folly was constructed in June and will soon be dismantled, so it's worth a visit to a catch film, workshop, boat trip or a snack before it disappears!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Continuing homeward we reflected on our enjoyment of a sunny, hot and truly Hackney weekend!</div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-63342461771114565102011-02-18T17:29:00.000-08:002011-08-01T04:45:19.719-07:00Hackney Rocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKgEhn0YOQZl403xUwF5SBtq4Qv_0tWe6Xa4DlR41Rqe8K8CKM8IZZlBSjwMZ019ERKV0jvuiDrwhDh51xeA_muBKo79VoYrU475DMNemxrrflHvv_-tZtReMMOdh67An6RhBF-mejEms/s1600/181753_130339590369927_102402953163591_185998_7488004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKgEhn0YOQZl403xUwF5SBtq4Qv_0tWe6Xa4DlR41Rqe8K8CKM8IZZlBSjwMZ019ERKV0jvuiDrwhDh51xeA_muBKo79VoYrU475DMNemxrrflHvv_-tZtReMMOdh67An6RhBF-mejEms/s400/181753_130339590369927_102402953163591_185998_7488004_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Make some noise for Sherlock's Dead! Post punk newcomers Sherlock's Dead played their debut gig at the Bridgehouse 2 on February 13th. The talented young quartet rocked the venue along with the Fifty Fours and will be performing at the venue again on March 5th! This Hackney band are on the way up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBFXx_JtiNjE3a1C9iNhOqGU3s-FF8xYzaGvDVhyDwfT5YTa8JNKiX7mMIzPg6EseLEx64g6Z-ljgYHKno8Xjz9gHftODVJNi9RXfmYyo0fjuxBGZ9Vpnl4VUJb5eJYw7ktDloNNSjVzm/s1600/182711_130339793703240_102402953163591_186005_228945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBFXx_JtiNjE3a1C9iNhOqGU3s-FF8xYzaGvDVhyDwfT5YTa8JNKiX7mMIzPg6EseLEx64g6Z-ljgYHKno8Xjz9gHftODVJNi9RXfmYyo0fjuxBGZ9Vpnl4VUJb5eJYw7ktDloNNSjVzm/s400/182711_130339793703240_102402953163591_186005_228945_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNad2T55k8Tda-4LW3diDNK6Iu0FWKwTS_nXTRTN-0vUJcLrN6bQllkE6EsRheO3RmQWi517m71HcQzisu_nQdgMOABFiVGWQyhCWHRzoy7CwQy7pHGrf-yj10_SvCjO_Ug0Sa_DPZdHu/s1600/180736_130339760369910_102402953163591_186004_5997754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNad2T55k8Tda-4LW3diDNK6Iu0FWKwTS_nXTRTN-0vUJcLrN6bQllkE6EsRheO3RmQWi517m71HcQzisu_nQdgMOABFiVGWQyhCWHRzoy7CwQy7pHGrf-yj10_SvCjO_Ug0Sa_DPZdHu/s400/180736_130339760369910_102402953163591_186004_5997754_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nLQ1dlAt1g_W30l5OGQSitnImh4KSJfSoIH49JXCYAEKNerwkgwq0mMpIDRHt0_jZg3zEbXOkg1gP9g5UsOi_I10axrudMPsxrLDE0ko-xU-6LWBrQ4m7Nt8veWsvV_YIkdqFpOAPSKf/s1600/181728_130339717036581_102402953163591_186003_4725454_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nLQ1dlAt1g_W30l5OGQSitnImh4KSJfSoIH49JXCYAEKNerwkgwq0mMpIDRHt0_jZg3zEbXOkg1gP9g5UsOi_I10axrudMPsxrLDE0ko-xU-6LWBrQ4m7Nt8veWsvV_YIkdqFpOAPSKf/s400/181728_130339717036581_102402953163591_186003_4725454_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-6338099181847481012011-01-04T10:51:00.000-08:002011-01-04T10:55:50.929-08:00Let it Snow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4CMbLUVuzxvLM1tDWELV-G03serhJWmgxmMSO3-englEOTi4-NXNui6nmRO9X2kgy354AxOn23-Xb4-SK7FljViZ7fmgIk2Hrhp0rjiZbFppEe8zC2WWcSmyYHJ2YQNxHNdwtjpY4uCs/s1600/IMG_6522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4CMbLUVuzxvLM1tDWELV-G03serhJWmgxmMSO3-englEOTi4-NXNui6nmRO9X2kgy354AxOn23-Xb4-SK7FljViZ7fmgIk2Hrhp0rjiZbFppEe8zC2WWcSmyYHJ2YQNxHNdwtjpY4uCs/s400/IMG_6522.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxGTFxZmHEp0D0zA9RnOdI8xz30oIjJyzNKBZAemiqMnpIn1PPojNSAEI8Mqi_wzGC3L4MRek_NCPuq1WHf9hs54HmyyIPF4lZUhjmw-uy-iv1BLgM8v9XMeQd2wDGXMuhQoUWP6zaJhW/s1600/IMG_6518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxGTFxZmHEp0D0zA9RnOdI8xz30oIjJyzNKBZAemiqMnpIn1PPojNSAEI8Mqi_wzGC3L4MRek_NCPuq1WHf9hs54HmyyIPF4lZUhjmw-uy-iv1BLgM8v9XMeQd2wDGXMuhQoUWP6zaJhW/s400/IMG_6518.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></div>December: Hackney was covered in crisp white snow! We went straight out with the sledges headed for Springfield Park! Freezing fun was being had by lots of local families with skis, sledges, trays, baking tins, wheel-free skateboards...anything that would slide downhill at speed.LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-5561458430221766932010-12-08T07:17:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:38:48.921-08:00Zebras Crossing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmFfgBacWlCsX8k7FpGt7nvo9rNVQ9nvNxy896HLjJqoS3tIQdMqSs_qhwCJ0cVGD84rR65sQlz9YWxNx9m1inS2yDZPwcqfL9-GWizdMw2nybvRfjBPhBwFF6j1J-FgTXIg0CjJHXptY/s1600/zebra1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmFfgBacWlCsX8k7FpGt7nvo9rNVQ9nvNxy896HLjJqoS3tIQdMqSs_qhwCJ0cVGD84rR65sQlz9YWxNx9m1inS2yDZPwcqfL9-GWizdMw2nybvRfjBPhBwFF6j1J-FgTXIg0CjJHXptY/s400/zebra1.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div>A number of zebras have been artfully stenciled on the road at the dangerous junction at Clapton Pond and Downs Road highlighting an urgent need for a safer crossing at this busy section of Lower Clapton Road. Local residents have been calling for TfL to make changes for some time to make it easier for pedestrians, especially the many local school children, to cross without running a daily, hazardous gauntlet of multi-directional traffic and processional buses. TfL have recently said (not promised) that, following their consultation period of 24 months, work will start in early 2011. Hoorah! Fingers are firmly crossed!LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-85456737798288524432010-12-08T07:03:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:06:47.395-08:00Chatsworth Road (up)MarketThings are looking up! We now have a new (revived after 10 years) and very local Sunday market on <a href="http://www.chatsworthroade5.co.uk/">Chatsworth Road</a> that was launched on November 7th. Hackney is already home to some of my favourite weekend markets; Columbia Road, Broadway Market and Brick Lane which are brimming with original ideas, local produce, vintage finds, yummy breakfasts and much more so I'm pretty happy that I now need only to potter down to the end of my street to find all this on offer.<br />
At this stage it's being run as a pilot for a more permanent market so I hope that there will be plenty of local (and not so local) support for the stall holders and shops on Chatsworth Road. In this economic climate it is a brave enterprise and no doubt it'll be tough to make a hugely substantial profit but hopefully the stall holders will persevere. So far it has reportedly been a big success so I'm hoping it's here to stay! <br />
I went along on the 7th November, a crisp but sunny Sunday morning and found the street bustling with crowds of local folk checking out the wares on sale at its 20 or so stalls and enjoying some live music courtesy of a musical duo nestled between stalls on a street corner. I couldn't get into the cafés, creperie or deli as their queues spilled out onto the street, so that's something to look forward to this Sunday 12th December. I hope I'll see lots of familiar faces there again - it's also a great place to catch up with neighbours!<br />
On the run up to Christmas it's a perfect antidote to clone-high-street-hell, this quirky little shopping experience; vintage clothes and collectibles, crafts, gifts, fresh produce and food stalls and more. A great way to spend a Sunday morning and a real asset to our community. Keep up the good work the Traders and Residents Association!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HrN2uecVIfNc3WMzy-CxYjGR34KGhIELilMP4cBsQZ7a4l9j6Ces87jiB8lpPaGc-EuT4zGnIICG8WvDZ99R9Uek8lUxa3mMfAaeo3mydJCd5kFcrVh3JttsU0nyzcYKPEHxanuc_Bfp/s1600/Chate54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HrN2uecVIfNc3WMzy-CxYjGR34KGhIELilMP4cBsQZ7a4l9j6Ces87jiB8lpPaGc-EuT4zGnIICG8WvDZ99R9Uek8lUxa3mMfAaeo3mydJCd5kFcrVh3JttsU0nyzcYKPEHxanuc_Bfp/s400/Chate54.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsRIqIWVsQYAvUyyV2aI5ocgRBRpJvphYZH9aSCVy-XpdK9rbMU4_7yjrIGsS35ZN-hEF1rqD23H-kDejD4wL5SKKen_TKXE-J5VNUcuqVMX2xVo9SlWrbi-IQdPf6A41RrnuOMEWcDCt/s1600/chatse52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsRIqIWVsQYAvUyyV2aI5ocgRBRpJvphYZH9aSCVy-XpdK9rbMU4_7yjrIGsS35ZN-hEF1rqD23H-kDejD4wL5SKKen_TKXE-J5VNUcuqVMX2xVo9SlWrbi-IQdPf6A41RrnuOMEWcDCt/s400/chatse52.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfl9tTTetHF0MwOeRIv9ReilgYTftkS2aqzHZzUHy4L6H-495moWzJ7FQgq_HGPOTQNgm_Vrv9glaYmmAn4f4c8KFjgjyinXB-csBAGKcBL0bbXYRZLth6VX12P1KqviZXZvXpcbetydl/s1600/Chatse51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfl9tTTetHF0MwOeRIv9ReilgYTftkS2aqzHZzUHy4L6H-495moWzJ7FQgq_HGPOTQNgm_Vrv9glaYmmAn4f4c8KFjgjyinXB-csBAGKcBL0bbXYRZLth6VX12P1KqviZXZvXpcbetydl/s400/Chatse51.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-60379188645906130692010-11-02T05:00:00.000-07:002010-11-02T05:30:05.811-07:00Metallic MarshesToo soon this beautiful expanse of turf and wild green marshland will be transformed into a huge car park to accommodate the 2012 Olympic traffic.<br />
But for now I love the touches of rusty metal that add texture and colour to the lush green landscape. The new modern changing facilities, designed by Stanton Williams Architects, sit in stark contrast to their natural surroundings, a reminder of the nearby industrial heritage of East London. Their utilitarian, eroded outer shell houses much needed amenities for the home of grass roots football as well as for the wider community. It looks great on the outside with it's tough, functional exterior but will it meet the needs of its users on the inside? I'm looking forward to having a peek!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjUfe53-RabyhZJNINcnMeCLSybtnJtJiXpv-r_LFiDYL1AnQsmHq_vYgEdGdfPNgpd1JvsuzKT1NMIuoBi3YFpCdc2tzMFZtFGvuO95-2ltZq53Bqz2Cx7XhFzVmHY7F__aOkwx00DL1/s1600/Marshes7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjUfe53-RabyhZJNINcnMeCLSybtnJtJiXpv-r_LFiDYL1AnQsmHq_vYgEdGdfPNgpd1JvsuzKT1NMIuoBi3YFpCdc2tzMFZtFGvuO95-2ltZq53Bqz2Cx7XhFzVmHY7F__aOkwx00DL1/s400/Marshes7.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf9gMvwsa1lsWo07UUT5g5smR_34dS2A2V2hquz2OvVdU-H2cCkEJT7vET6ZPfmarasC4EAr5lfmMd-_w17Vo6SiMRoGBZLfIwQ5Ya0a9HAkZHCVvRjEpCPuAfFr_wwiQYNJzC88JU9TB/s1600/Marsh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf9gMvwsa1lsWo07UUT5g5smR_34dS2A2V2hquz2OvVdU-H2cCkEJT7vET6ZPfmarasC4EAr5lfmMd-_w17Vo6SiMRoGBZLfIwQ5Ya0a9HAkZHCVvRjEpCPuAfFr_wwiQYNJzC88JU9TB/s400/Marsh6.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RxrCkQJIUCo6kKRMD1Y2qcxAeGpM8jTCnicrCjoVUGYJdiIRAIBVUuFd_E_tpuBAHe24ji5A04_Bis1bFyUb-mLy1rInagVPXmT0tF-s0jnm2xMGqxT6Jm9CqJ_EfAQsAgl_Bz_DWkOR/s1600/Marshes5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RxrCkQJIUCo6kKRMD1Y2qcxAeGpM8jTCnicrCjoVUGYJdiIRAIBVUuFd_E_tpuBAHe24ji5A04_Bis1bFyUb-mLy1rInagVPXmT0tF-s0jnm2xMGqxT6Jm9CqJ_EfAQsAgl_Bz_DWkOR/s400/Marshes5.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-15964894888690399202010-11-02T04:53:00.000-07:002010-11-02T04:53:16.361-07:00Columbia RoadColumbia Road is brimming with creative inspiration... the shops that border the colourful flower and plant stalls are a constant source of unusual pressies and indulgent treats. When I'm up early on a sunny Sunday morning Columbia Road is my favourite destination for coffee and a browse!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBY3YF_bFt6HK-h9AgKbf1i7whyNTcUGQ0dRRLCLBbD8CZ2_wS7_yEtkHH3LKFm4RRIPR1wW0djHUVRPeywbQdvUyXodHV-rJRVMcyMbgTNZA3jB7JoRqMYtsOKxy52ZbKRbcycyWo-R2/s1600/Columbia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBY3YF_bFt6HK-h9AgKbf1i7whyNTcUGQ0dRRLCLBbD8CZ2_wS7_yEtkHH3LKFm4RRIPR1wW0djHUVRPeywbQdvUyXodHV-rJRVMcyMbgTNZA3jB7JoRqMYtsOKxy52ZbKRbcycyWo-R2/s400/Columbia2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ0iJLTyv9-ycLYa5dgr4dZgVHtLn3UrZjUyGAl7OXauNfIjkIiVijt0y8stwPoNdTpP-gkiZpGiWqdl1PmENZnUD4zYSl2qj6pxywAy_ttzHduUgSkofi-YFMZDzvfuGL75Pm_nrP2u5/s1600/Columbia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ0iJLTyv9-ycLYa5dgr4dZgVHtLn3UrZjUyGAl7OXauNfIjkIiVijt0y8stwPoNdTpP-gkiZpGiWqdl1PmENZnUD4zYSl2qj6pxywAy_ttzHduUgSkofi-YFMZDzvfuGL75Pm_nrP2u5/s400/Columbia3.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuswuZ78ISXfgF9-DY8e2BvK4ZrDBh-Yc40v7yMhpWCqB4lVOEzsXyqW-rojRB7j08lXP8lBqlGbd4YJJ9ULAAMcaVWiU7o3H-orvMrYod_ObA6ZchSK5Gg5f0PfGOKyd87HLtezeJse1R/s1600/Columbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuswuZ78ISXfgF9-DY8e2BvK4ZrDBh-Yc40v7yMhpWCqB4lVOEzsXyqW-rojRB7j08lXP8lBqlGbd4YJJ9ULAAMcaVWiU7o3H-orvMrYod_ObA6ZchSK5Gg5f0PfGOKyd87HLtezeJse1R/s400/Columbia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-57646693477730118262010-11-02T04:41:00.000-07:002010-11-02T04:42:45.405-07:00The Big DrawThese big blackboards were the canvas for a Big Draw event at the 2012 Olympic Park. They're on display beside the View Tube.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWkbMOhxtlebnC9WKw-nBmSjjUIKcvnCoSW-CyMWcu61p2I62WIpnshFxomwhK4rCzKWlgmgnH4WRxHiqXWNn5P_T8Znu7lk0_KjzMyjCswdw0-zEmLyb6a7uYe7RcWn_dvq2ru7i4DDM/s1600/BigDraw3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWkbMOhxtlebnC9WKw-nBmSjjUIKcvnCoSW-CyMWcu61p2I62WIpnshFxomwhK4rCzKWlgmgnH4WRxHiqXWNn5P_T8Znu7lk0_KjzMyjCswdw0-zEmLyb6a7uYe7RcWn_dvq2ru7i4DDM/s400/BigDraw3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGdq6L8-BS_P7f85hyphenhyphencdBXc-wL9eCTHrY3aAQaygXwKb_UHBDQLtP51kfeFJNOAB_tSuWAlgSzx-AXisV9scWJxfzdi7VrKU992mYKtwkJvVLh01pJw2Fa0k-Asctd9RDZr1J1Ifs2UBG/s1600/BigDraw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGdq6L8-BS_P7f85hyphenhyphencdBXc-wL9eCTHrY3aAQaygXwKb_UHBDQLtP51kfeFJNOAB_tSuWAlgSzx-AXisV9scWJxfzdi7VrKU992mYKtwkJvVLh01pJw2Fa0k-Asctd9RDZr1J1Ifs2UBG/s400/BigDraw2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuPIm8NvOyyOqTvV1dBGrgT85hHIeK_f2EFjb7CW6oBxuF_YpJO9pXaBwepAujK6KCToubWCQUa04__2g_lrMifbZE66oyZtzcOgWBFVwCOy7b4fyyU8wZHUk76fqrQdDQyuHoIGtW6d8/s1600/BigDraw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuPIm8NvOyyOqTvV1dBGrgT85hHIeK_f2EFjb7CW6oBxuF_YpJO9pXaBwepAujK6KCToubWCQUa04__2g_lrMifbZE66oyZtzcOgWBFVwCOy7b4fyyU8wZHUk76fqrQdDQyuHoIGtW6d8/s400/BigDraw1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-49059501897767910672010-10-26T10:32:00.000-07:002010-11-02T04:43:41.863-07:00Random Images of Hackney<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_ggcpBQxutabSe9Xn5zEjWnVHj85D-6Fj0Lhjqy0FtxWj1MyqgO7N0DiNGH4hDd3O7cp7uCzMhLXR-YSSNXsEnALwPnHLWrmVeI7A79tT8HL8N5UxY8g9Rh8j3ChghgMNRD35gjJMEK4/s1600/IMG_5470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_ggcpBQxutabSe9Xn5zEjWnVHj85D-6Fj0Lhjqy0FtxWj1MyqgO7N0DiNGH4hDd3O7cp7uCzMhLXR-YSSNXsEnALwPnHLWrmVeI7A79tT8HL8N5UxY8g9Rh8j3ChghgMNRD35gjJMEK4/s400/IMG_5470.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Clapton Pond</div></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19Pq4KXaZF13HUPr4V62FIAPo9VdQO6Bg-RPw_vMoIg-XIiL7N_G1VtSBCiIt5dGOr8pSwIYY5ZMzQtrmJUGnCS0C0gReW3-kCsyr6J1T3Ne4D0L2MHhWf5XXj_3_R8iYm9ob_bhnBQSX/s1600/IMG_6200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19Pq4KXaZF13HUPr4V62FIAPo9VdQO6Bg-RPw_vMoIg-XIiL7N_G1VtSBCiIt5dGOr8pSwIYY5ZMzQtrmJUGnCS0C0gReW3-kCsyr6J1T3Ne4D0L2MHhWf5XXj_3_R8iYm9ob_bhnBQSX/s400/IMG_6200.jpg" style="border: none;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Broadway Market</div></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHnqyeq_UB6ZYlLribVKvPN4ORMkuVfJ8uT8NQpKlp9UBXH5J0noFryjghmyCQ-pvAD4VOlpFLHNfudY74kpPELR_GfktNz_zONvXtUL1CGWLJ6Hd50CDtY6YtXsQoq6F9nZcWrEVfoJy/s1600/IMG_6201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHnqyeq_UB6ZYlLribVKvPN4ORMkuVfJ8uT8NQpKlp9UBXH5J0noFryjghmyCQ-pvAD4VOlpFLHNfudY74kpPELR_GfktNz_zONvXtUL1CGWLJ6Hd50CDtY6YtXsQoq6F9nZcWrEVfoJy/s400/IMG_6201.jpg" style="border: none;" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Wise owls at Broadway Market</div></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZC3ILyWuYwzbtN0Wgi1l-lZR-zXV7eY4v6nIXQ3iNm1BjumjgPSjqh5DIAUXNzExpdwhanrMwTdsi7oZq_GSgM0z1pfgCli2QYrcbKBcvXfOBxN5wrA03mIBJdtjbzPxiCr6OBzOpXSY/s1600/IMG_6241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZC3ILyWuYwzbtN0Wgi1l-lZR-zXV7eY4v6nIXQ3iNm1BjumjgPSjqh5DIAUXNzExpdwhanrMwTdsi7oZq_GSgM0z1pfgCli2QYrcbKBcvXfOBxN5wrA03mIBJdtjbzPxiCr6OBzOpXSY/s400/IMG_6241.jpg" style="border: none;" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The Climbing Centre in Stokey</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kmIw7hfvDXzStpTysznCoRRgLfUW_iSRxEBPTA3xMcS5eeIfLFdcZJiiV1ks1w8iTtI7PTHVeaJpCXXDh0nuDf32WHFL7oVVsRGxWLZ_q9mQ8xP8qdyoL0D6Nq6kBo_Jh_PEx3r01wkS/s1600/IMG_4836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kmIw7hfvDXzStpTysznCoRRgLfUW_iSRxEBPTA3xMcS5eeIfLFdcZJiiV1ks1w8iTtI7PTHVeaJpCXXDh0nuDf32WHFL7oVVsRGxWLZ_q9mQ8xP8qdyoL0D6Nq6kBo_Jh_PEx3r01wkS/s400/IMG_4836.jpg" style="border: none;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The Hackney Empire</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-41093932880453724922010-07-30T08:37:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:28:13.044-07:00Local Design Duo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVjldaDRnnN_3UpqDJ29kJy-SozB-zPeSkg3dNocZWxq8thKqMWITqmcgzHfK72PnXOMcPUqX-Y-rLH-jFTY2leBWuar4Qu8csGMGu69EtD-OmrOwTvHxVZI1WjV1eDofZN-yXLxf9wf2/s1600/heelo_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVjldaDRnnN_3UpqDJ29kJy-SozB-zPeSkg3dNocZWxq8thKqMWITqmcgzHfK72PnXOMcPUqX-Y-rLH-jFTY2leBWuar4Qu8csGMGu69EtD-OmrOwTvHxVZI1WjV1eDofZN-yXLxf9wf2/s400/heelo_logo.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Local businesses should check out <a href="http://www.aclgroup.co.uk/">AC+L Creative's</a> website. They're a small Hackney-based design company who work their design magic for major retailers, local government, schools, charities and music biz clients. They are a talented duo – intuitively creative, with fresh ideas and sharp market awareness! Experts in design technology they produce outstanding 3D visuals, amimation and websites and create impactful and impressive design for print... packaging, brochures, corporate identity and branding.<br />
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Although clients include Next, Boots and John Lewis they work equally hard for all customers, small and large businesses, connecting them with their target audience. With austerity measures top of everyone's agenda it's worth noting that AC+L's modest overheads mean smaller invoices for their clients and their service is friendly, responsive and flexible.LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-41465499194388790742010-05-26T11:17:00.000-07:002010-07-30T08:46:17.099-07:00Hackney Road RoaHackney Road is infested by giant and fabulous furry creatures, painted by street artist Roa. Some really impressive art adorns the dilapidated walls of this down-trodden urban gallery!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojj56vv5jDWxrlUxi1SQLJdmYWIsz3t-wjd6G3tgnqmqPTnhmjndChYOy2MQ9047WZfD-8jKv0dZU4Rs7BlA4QQHXC_bbKt8DY4g_gPMxTP4sLZIlMiw1xO1DS1pGEd6ybG_mDniFiJv9/s1600/ratty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojj56vv5jDWxrlUxi1SQLJdmYWIsz3t-wjd6G3tgnqmqPTnhmjndChYOy2MQ9047WZfD-8jKv0dZU4Rs7BlA4QQHXC_bbKt8DY4g_gPMxTP4sLZIlMiw1xO1DS1pGEd6ybG_mDniFiJv9/s400/ratty2.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="307" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojj56vv5jDWxrlUxi1SQLJdmYWIsz3t-wjd6G3tgnqmqPTnhmjndChYOy2MQ9047WZfD-8jKv0dZU4Rs7BlA4QQHXC_bbKt8DY4g_gPMxTP4sLZIlMiw1xO1DS1pGEd6ybG_mDniFiJv9/s1600/ratty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">and another toaster brightens up the street too!</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrlD9cqHOx_ZB4vBu4WS5Go6LknJZftKQQ5_FMd_BFQszK0pVquoiJRxfsmJRAmt87kBAwKZHsXDP8emDLGRam0cK5A1zc04-rIWwTPgyL12BS8ZxzIaEI16NadjVDBN7EoFdcKvJU-ia/s1600/toast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrlD9cqHOx_ZB4vBu4WS5Go6LknJZftKQQ5_FMd_BFQszK0pVquoiJRxfsmJRAmt87kBAwKZHsXDP8emDLGRam0cK5A1zc04-rIWwTPgyL12BS8ZxzIaEI16NadjVDBN7EoFdcKvJU-ia/s400/toast1.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="303" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-52626756066905146122010-04-22T16:20:00.000-07:002010-04-23T10:07:04.300-07:00Lea Roaming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaY3QdZ6hpn4ccW17d1YSuKrp1xHzU9Ejtgj6cENfUT-Mu_tLGoOKQyC30Ms9Xj8e_yJOj022qgn8gCkzCbrzkSbYwyXjaRspQBj0WpL9lXyaZV4sTcswFfXm524cXY3eX7Vl8Af-Bp4K/s1600/Lea_walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaY3QdZ6hpn4ccW17d1YSuKrp1xHzU9Ejtgj6cENfUT-Mu_tLGoOKQyC30Ms9Xj8e_yJOj022qgn8gCkzCbrzkSbYwyXjaRspQBj0WpL9lXyaZV4sTcswFfXm524cXY3eX7Vl8Af-Bp4K/s640/Lea_walk.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Things always look better when it's sunny and warm... so we took the opportunity to walk along the River Lea towards the Olympic Park to see (again) our rapidly changing landscape. Starting at Millfields we passed the barges that seem to be multiplying along the towpath, our own somewhat disheveled Little Venice. Trees decked in blossom, verdant river banks and swans sailing serene on the water reflecting flawless blue sky fused with the jagged edges of the demolished Lesney's factory as the industrial terrain and compact housing blocks lined the way to the huge development that is the Olympic Park.<br />
<div>It changes weekly, burgeoning in it's advances upon 2012 - the enormity of this development clearly emerging behind the tall fencing and surveillance cameras.</div><div>Stopping briefly at the Big Breakfast house by the Old Ford lock we carried on along the Greenway (a public footpath along the southern boundary of the site) where we enjoyed a panoramic view across the park ... the main stadium in the foreground, the aquatic centre, the velopark and in the distance the Olympic Village and Westfield Shopping Centre.<br />
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</div><div>Groups of tourists were being herded around the area near the View Tube ( a visitors centre/building made from recycled shipping containers) by tour guides. We browsed the art project mounted along a corrugated walkway. A series of wooden crates each created as a personal window on local life.<br />
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Having marveled at the progress of our 2012 site we ambled back over the river to nearby Fish Island, a hive of industrial activity with creative aspirations at Hackney Wick - so called because all it's streets are named after types of fish.<br />
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We stopped for brunch in Roach Road at the incredibly cool Counter cafe on the Hertford Union Canal, where some artsy folk were enjoying lunch al freso amidst manoeuvring juggernauts and general commercial bustle on the pavement outside. One was wearing a tricorn accessorised with a blue plastic clothes peg and another sported a fabulous handlebar moustache. We joined them outside to sample eggs benedict (and great coffee!) and flicked through the <a href="http://www.thestoolpigeon.co.uk/">Stool Pigeon music</a> paper before meandering back along the riverbank to Clapton, much inspired by our fascinating Hackney habitat.</div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-46361093121665792442010-04-13T08:50:00.000-07:002010-04-21T15:44:35.928-07:00Taygetos MountainsThe views from the Taygetos mountain range which stretches 100km down the Peloponnese region in Southern Greece are truly breathtaking. The tallest peak, Profitis Ilias reaches almost 8,000 feet and rises above pine clad slopes (some of which were hit by the devastating fires of 2007).<br />
The Vassiliki Forest covers a vast area of the Southern segment of the Taygetos (and forms part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_walking_route_E4">E4 International walking trail</a>). We set off in a jeep climbing from the village of Saidona up a stoney dirt track. Although some attempt this route in non 4x4s, I wouldn't advise it - especially in a hire car! The views all the way up are fantastic, although you do need a head for heights.<br />
From the fire watch post at the top we could see right down the Mani peninsula to Cape Matapan and stood a while marveling at the contours and the majesty of the mountains set against the blue mediterranean horizon.<br />
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Entering the forest the tall pines were decorated with the cocoon-like silk spun nests of the Pine Processionary Caterpillar. Along the forest floor long lines of these caterpillars made their way along trails marked with a pheromone secreted from their body. They rely on these trails to find their way between their nest and feeding sites. We watched these hairy creatures with interest as they emerged from underground cocoons and instinctively joined their processions, taking care not to touch them. Their hairs can cause nasty rashes.<br />
<div style="text-align: auto;">Dotted around the vast forest there are little communities of tin huts and log cabins, and a few farms in the sheltered grassy valleys. Following the track that loops around the forest the summit of Profitis Ilias was always dominant. The only sounds was the song of birds and an occasional tumbling brook. Clusters of spring flowers, primroses and violets punctuated the forest floor. Once over to the Laconian side of the mountains we took the route down toward Githeo.</div>The Vasiliki Forest is well worth a visit if you're in Laconia or Messinia, Peloponnese, Greece.LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-25630260314461494502010-03-11T04:57:00.000-08:002010-03-23T06:51:12.997-07:00Off to Bulgaria?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpD1f7C7qDrsi1FjLiwPr3cV5TzfLvKlp1UNI9tcGCcg2qcCkyAJyHLhexw2ka2a8__mipSZKTdeeA1XKEZUj75lCkf6fbC4zdAIh_Yu3UjdkKM94DQ8SvqRIzWvuMJwXPmS0_14rQKlv/s1600-h/pigi_sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpD1f7C7qDrsi1FjLiwPr3cV5TzfLvKlp1UNI9tcGCcg2qcCkyAJyHLhexw2ka2a8__mipSZKTdeeA1XKEZUj75lCkf6fbC4zdAIh_Yu3UjdkKM94DQ8SvqRIzWvuMJwXPmS0_14rQKlv/s640/pigi_sunset.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpD1f7C7qDrsi1FjLiwPr3cV5TzfLvKlp1UNI9tcGCcg2qcCkyAJyHLhexw2ka2a8__mipSZKTdeeA1XKEZUj75lCkf6fbC4zdAIh_Yu3UjdkKM94DQ8SvqRIzWvuMJwXPmS0_14rQKlv/s1600-h/pigi_sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">A few thousand miles from (a very cold) Hackney, two good friends have bought a house in Bulgaria and plan to move there as soon as possible. They've been living and working in Southern Greece for four years after leaving the UK for good. Alas, the strength of the euro and the economic downturn have made it increasingly more expensive to live and harder to find work there. Bulgaria is apparently much more affordable, as well as very beautiful!</span></a><br />
Over the past three years Russ has helped us to finish building our Greek house, in fact he's probably spent more time there than we have. He's been a real godsend and will definitely be missed! Both he and his wife Aileen have become good friends - many a glass of chilled wine and sticky sweet raki have been raised, al fresco, on warm summer's evenings as we've enjoyed golden sunsets and good cheer!<br />
It is hard these days, to find a good builder who is honest, hard working and doesn't breath in sharply when you ask him "how much?". Russ is a genuine, friendly guy with many, much admired, skills... building, plumbing, electrics, carpentry, decorating.... just the sort of person I wish lived on my street here in London!!!<br />
We wish them both, much to our regret, BON VOYAGE! And if you happen to be buying a place in Bulgaria (which many Brits seem to be doing) you should definitely contact Russ at <a href="http://wix.com/raenterprises/Bulgaria">R & A Enterprises</a>!<br />
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Young people in Hackney were offered up a real treat this February half term... a vibrant and varied programme of free arts-based events and workshops arranged as part of <a href="http://www.discoveryounghackney.com/">Discover Young Hackney</a>. A collaborative team of Hackney's Cultural Ambassadors, trainee producers and young journalists work really hard to give our young people the chance to discover or nurture their talents or try something new. My son, a new Cultural Ambassador, took part in arranging his first workshop at the <a href="http://www.eastside.org.uk/">Eastside Educational Trust</a> and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Discover Young Hackney Arts and Cultural Festival really is a brilliant opportunity for all young people in Hackney to get involved in showcasing the phenomenal creative talent that is such a credit to our borough. Well done to all who took part in this year's programme and a huge thanks to all those who organised the event. I look forward to next year's festival and many more beyond!LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-86437166133370090002010-02-12T09:15:00.000-08:002010-02-20T09:27:01.502-08:00Olympic DevelopmentThe landscape is changing here in Hackney. From the Marshes the skyline is transforming rapidly... the VeloPark and the main stadium are now shaping the horizon to the east against a backdrop of cranes. Walking along the River Lea I can't help but feel for the residents of Leabank Square who have a view not-to-die-for of the souless grey walls of the International Broadcasting Centre and the towering Energy Centre. The grafitti on the decaying industrial walls along the river bank is starting to disappear. The water is littered with old shoes, carrier bags and other detritus and the Gaza-esque fencing obstructs the view of the evolving Olympic site. South of the Marshes the sprawl of the 2012 building site seems endless and it is a little hard to imagine how it will transform into the green, landscaped urban park, shown in the architects CGIs on the <a href="http://www.london2012.com/press/image-library/index.php">London 2012</a> website, when the big event actually arrives in 894 days.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIZACgolAhLtVlojmmS43RSjuEigyvaBvyy1piSE-4e2TVKVwRmI_IlUMB-hkO8uLrDoZVnpSpSWvtH5Cd5U2CkBB6TSSI8KEzUwveGJrp7TcrkgjxoezE5Jg3B8ywoilE5vlbdjtFNsr/s1600-h/IMG_4779a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIZACgolAhLtVlojmmS43RSjuEigyvaBvyy1piSE-4e2TVKVwRmI_IlUMB-hkO8uLrDoZVnpSpSWvtH5Cd5U2CkBB6TSSI8KEzUwveGJrp7TcrkgjxoezE5Jg3B8ywoilE5vlbdjtFNsr/s400/IMG_4779a.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-57045491093427674452010-02-11T05:50:00.000-08:002010-02-12T05:35:57.164-08:00Along the River Lea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXTgMuoDsXgbpQwJ7HYlfKE0DKoj1tAzXjTYg2AXeWXdYsyEMeMUHYW4szxKO3V0wzyfw3Nw-qrBibHTADCv9tb7cq5eMslqyCG7skljfnCd0tAZDPNV86KTHsRDo7rYK591EVqK2H-cj/s1600-h/IMG_4762a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXTgMuoDsXgbpQwJ7HYlfKE0DKoj1tAzXjTYg2AXeWXdYsyEMeMUHYW4szxKO3V0wzyfw3Nw-qrBibHTADCv9tb7cq5eMslqyCG7skljfnCd0tAZDPNV86KTHsRDo7rYK591EVqK2H-cj/s640/IMG_4762a.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWB5q_5H5I0sS4KyAgqSRmnioi1Cg4Zl1SENif1y-s9U0eWhXy36K52vXxsAWdsre6rmoRjiPZAUUyTY2Uu2rDg1XRsfYypGV5PoPdts-vaFhOdNH5nyecyVe0D37un_cI7Hbr4NMUECX/s1600-h/IMG_4793a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWB5q_5H5I0sS4KyAgqSRmnioi1Cg4Zl1SENif1y-s9U0eWhXy36K52vXxsAWdsre6rmoRjiPZAUUyTY2Uu2rDg1XRsfYypGV5PoPdts-vaFhOdNH5nyecyVe0D37un_cI7Hbr4NMUECX/s400/IMG_4793a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-38078001622135087062010-01-29T09:41:00.000-08:002010-02-26T09:31:42.780-08:00Tales from Mani 2<b>August 2005</b> We met Property Consultant, Susan Shimmin <a href="http://www.therealmani.com/">www.therealmani.com</a> and her dog Bertie, in the welcome shade of a bar in Kardamili, to describe our house-to-be. I soon sensed that our vague description mildly irritated Susan but she listened to our criteria - old, traditional but wouldn't completely dismiss a new build. Nicely restored but would think about a restoration project. A garden, but nothing that would need <i>too</i> much attention. Not in the middle of a village but not too remote - and promised a good selection for us to view.<br />
We'd already looked at a couple of houses and a plot with a pile of stones that we'd shunned immediately so we were optimistic when Susan offered to show us around until we found the right one.<br />
We poked around some lovely old houses and some off-plan, architect-designed, new builds. The old houses, we decided, would need too much maintenance or restoration and the posh new builds were too expensive for their size.<br />
So, after a few days of dragging reluctant kids around potential houses she said she had something in mind that we may like but that we'd need vision. As we arrived (driving, very cautiously, down a very long, steep dirt and concrete track) we were stunned by the beautiful view. The sun spun a shimmering beam across the huge expanse of sea, straight in our direction, as we gazed across from this amazing viewpoint nestled amongst the verdant, olive-terraced foothills of the Taygetos mountains that loomed up behind us.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmhE9QClBGUALT2ZD-_cpH1nQrMj-Zybmab6UCDOhUuXZKnQTHfiSZ674vzsFOPo7_IqveNQNHcc5PJW7bi_VnoYAb06qfAIATVuEjZqRX_EKvLnxnOag__VvhIW-KpbG6pZ-cgJk9W1C/s1600-h/mani_houseqw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmhE9QClBGUALT2ZD-_cpH1nQrMj-Zybmab6UCDOhUuXZKnQTHfiSZ674vzsFOPo7_IqveNQNHcc5PJW7bi_VnoYAb06qfAIATVuEjZqRX_EKvLnxnOag__VvhIW-KpbG6pZ-cgJk9W1C/s400/mani_houseqw.jpg" style="border: none;" width="392" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This building site, with it's stone carcasses and concrete beams, perched on the edge of a deep gorge, was <i>the one</i>! There were negotiations with the owners and a price was agreed. Then followed hours of waiting...first, at the bank (where we were no.80 in the queue). Once our account was opened we had to see the local Public Notary to give Power of Atourney to enable Susan to act on our behalf. We spent hours of waiting, gesturing, negotiating, more waiting - and unfortunately we could understand very little of what was going on! Thankfully bilingual Susan did all the talking and we just agreed, signed documents and photocopied passports. We were quite anxious at the time (having given Power of Atourney to a lady we'd only just met) but, as it turned out we were in trustworthy and capable hands! The purchase would prove to be complicated and pretty stressful and we were lucky that Susan was there to sort out some of the problems (which I will describe in another post). Her years of experience, local knowledge and her personal approach to our business relationship made the process much less daunting than perhaps it would have been had we used an estate agent.</div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-57073028732497800282010-01-26T05:13:00.000-08:002010-02-12T06:23:44.853-08:00Floral Explosion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfe0oCIQtslbuorafk3mCd5mAU8ha4JwmmXRe3krZiv9M0SthcGv5nLwgsabWmdbaLLoOl76VCY93I2AZ9PSBFUiR_wFqen6WV9VV2MyU3CvYT47NOwaOeYxfOMJIZDGO8VK2LEW1yUA_/s1600-h/Floral+explosion+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="border:none;" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfe0oCIQtslbuorafk3mCd5mAU8ha4JwmmXRe3krZiv9M0SthcGv5nLwgsabWmdbaLLoOl76VCY93I2AZ9PSBFUiR_wFqen6WV9VV2MyU3CvYT47NOwaOeYxfOMJIZDGO8VK2LEW1yUA_/s400/Floral+explosion+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA-LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065415261198482921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8214804380828678105.post-35302624290633266162010-01-17T10:20:00.000-08:002010-02-15T06:14:28.439-08:00Curtain Road HareI love this hare (by artist ROA) on Curtain Road, Shoreditch - what a cool idea, using the facets of an industrial shutter to this stunning effect... outside to inside!<br />
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