First Sights Week- East London

1st November 2007
My Birthday!!!
And also the date of our second visit of First Sights Week. This time our destination was London's East End- could it possibly be more fun that Kew?
The day started interestingly at Knights Park with a grand total of three turning up to accompnany Simon for the journey up to London. We hoped some more would be meeting us at the Barbican. Sure enough a further small group of students was assembeled with Ed and the days entertainment could begin (I think I had already driven Simon mad by this point).
The first destination was the monolythinc Barbican Centre. I am in two minds about this construction. On one side I think it is possibly one of the most ugly building complexes in London- but at the same time I can see it's purpose, and within it's structure there are some very interesting spaces. I guess it must fall into the category of places that 'nearly' work- with good ideas... but it's just not all there. The walk round london then continued towards St Paul's and the 'wobbly bridge' and on into the city, stopping at various landscapes along the way. Many of these were great contrasts to eachother and each was inspiring in it's own way. I was dissapointed to discover that one site did not like me with my camera. Surely public spaces should be public- and if I want to take a photograph of the space, it should be my right to do so. Apparently not- acording to the security man. Who then followed me just incase I started snapping again as soon as he turned his back (which admitedly I would have done had he gone away!). The journey took us on through the heart of the city past inspiring buildings including the Lloyds Building and the 'Ghurkin'. Outside Liverpool St Station we paused for lunch and enjoyed an 'interesting' inpromptu performance of street dance- and my Dad turned up randomly. The afternoon took us on through Brick Lane to the 'City Farm' which was a breath of freash air from the bustling city. With the days entertainment almost concluded we retired to a bar in Hoxton. And stayed there for a little while. Finally on to an interesting piece of landscape at Old Street- which did not seem to be working very well.
A trip back to Waterloo on the bus and goodbye to another fun day in London. On to the festivities of my birthday...