YOUTUBE VIKTOR WYND MUSEUM OF CURIOSITIES VLOG NOW LIVE!

  My Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/ZZMYfNSR6qA

Friends, fellow oddballs and downright weirdos... Roll up! Roll up! Join me for the thrill of a lifetime!

Today I've been to the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, which is in Hackney, East London. The building it is situated in is home to The Last Tuesday Society, which puts on literary and creative events with a macabre twist, such as seances; masquerade balls and taxidermy classes. Upstairs they have an atmospheric cocktail parlour, and that decadent, late 19^th century artists' poison- absinthe- features on their menu.

A warning to the curious- if you're easily offended, with delicate sensibilities, then don't come here or watch the video! If, however, you are as disgusting and perverted as I am, then you will love this museum.

Come and take a walk in my shoes and I'll show you shrunken heads; animal skeletons; a chocolate John Major; an eight legged sheep and a two-headed sheep. I will also show you a jar containing Madonna's panty liner (yes, really), a box containing Russell Brand's pubes, and a jar containing Amy Winehouse's poo, which you can sniff for an additional fiver!

I have also blogged about this museum, and here's the link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2018/12/miss-elaineous-visits-viktor-wynd.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS THE PHOENIX GARDEN...

The Phoenix Garden sits in an area of central London known as St Giles.  It's at the end of Phoenix Street and behind the Phoenix Theatre, hence its name.  It is free to enter and is open seven days a week, from dawn till dusk.  It is right near busy Charing Cross Road, its nearest Tube station is Tottenham Court Road and, when you're in here it's hard to believe that you're just seconds away from the busy heart of London.

Here is the entrance, and this community garden was established in 1984, and is a registered charity, funded through donations and grants.

The multi-purpose building at the bottom of this section was completed in 2016, and was designed by architect Gurmeet Sian.  The charity is run from here, it hosts community and education workshops and it can also be hired for corporate events and other occasions, such as birthdays.

You can even get married here if you wish, as the garden is a registered Camden wedding venue.  A gazebo can be erected over this grassy section to extend the space and offer shelter for your guests.

The garden is thick with trees and shrubs, and objects such as this battered horsey add to its charm...💓

This looks like a bird bath/ drinking utensil, and the garden is home to an urban wildlife population...

This mannequin has seen better days!

Plants are being propegated in this mini-greenhouse...

Looking back towards the entrance, and I had a go on the swing to the right...

I always wanted one of these as a kid!  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the swing doesn't swing that far back, as its movement is marred by the fence...

The plants are for sale, and here's the price list...

Herbs and what looks like a mini-Christmas tree...

There were once seven community gardens in the West End of London...

...Now there is only this one...

Some of the plants are clearly labelled, so you can find out what you're looking at... 

This is a little nook, and the garden was established on land that had been in use as a car park...

The car park itself stood on the site of a World War II bombing...

This larger nook is by the community building...

The site was once the place of many homes and even a pub...

A cute seating area, and the garden was designed with one eye on sustainability...

Before 2016 re-landscaping, the garden had been used as a fly-tipping site...

The pretty pond, and the garden apparently houses the West End's only frog population...

I had a good gawp, but the frogs were not comin' out to play on this rather cold day!

Archway to the end of the garden, and compacted rubble and earth had to be removed before re-landscaping could begin...

A little path to another nook, and many on-site materials were re-used.  Rubble was passed through a mini-crusher by volunteers, as building waste removal is incredibly costly...

I love the mural on the building over the road, overlooking the garden...💗

This bench dictates: "I like worms and woodlice."

The crushed rubble was used to construct raised flower beds, and wheelchair/ pram friendly paths...

I like the way that the odds-and-sods contaminating the garden have been repurposed...

This pink wheelbarrow- a donation from cosmetics firm Benefit, no doubt- adds a spash of colour amongst the greenery...

Brickwork path...

The far end of the garden, and a 20 year lease on the land was signed in 2015 (following nine years of negotiations); so the garden's safe from being sold off to developers- for now.

The garden was able to be re-designed, with the new community building replacing a mice-infested concrete shed, after receiving a £300,000 grant.

"100,000 greenfly = 1 blue tit."

This quirky reference serves as a reminder that blue tits keep the greenfly population down, negating the need for chemical fertilisers.

 

Finches have also been spotted in the garden- maybe they like to come and play in this hanging contraption here?😊

It was a very chilly day when I visited, although there were a couple of other people in the garden as well.  To use a cliché, this garden is a real oasis of charm, and a hidden gem and then some!  If I worked in the area I would take advantage of it by visiting whenever I could.

I know the name of the garden reflects the area in which it sits, but its name is apt- it really is like the mythical tale of the phoenix rising from the ashes- or in this case, the rubble!

Here's my final view down the length of the garden.

The Phoenix Garden, I will return!

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE MANOR PARK CEMETERY & CREMATORIUM VIDEO NOW LIVE!

  My Manor Park Cemetery & Crematorium YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/3htrfaEtlCA

Manor Park Cemetery & Crematorium sits in the East End of London. It is a beautifully kept cemetery; although it does have older, more interesting and more sunken graves on site, complete with wonky tombstones. Dating back to 1874, a heritage trail consisting of 20 notable graves and landmarks was introduced in 2024, to mark 150 years of the cemetery's existence.

Come and take a walk in my shoes and I'll show you the grave of Annie Chapman- the second of Jack the Ripper's victims- although the siting is approximate as she was buried in a public grave which has since been reused. Nearby is the rather sad site of another Chapman, Sarah, who married and later became Sarah Dearman. She played a leading role in the 1888 Bryant & May matchgirls' strike, and was one of the pioneers of the trade union movement. Aside from the part-Victorian/ part-modern chapel and crematorium, there is a columbarium, a memorial pavilion and more than one war memorial.

But the piece de resistance has to be the granite tomb in the shape of a BMW convertible, which weighed one ton and had to be lowered into position by crane. It commemorates car fanatic Steve Marsh, and has to be the most stupendous tombstone I have ever seen!

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE CITY OF LONDON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM VIDEO NOW LIVE!

  My City of London Cemetery & Crematorium YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/empTMTl875c

The City of London Cemetery & Crematorium is in the East End of London, equidistant between Ilford and Manor Park Stations on the Elizabeth line. It dates from 1856 and is very much a working cemetery. It is Grade I listed, 200 acres in size and is said to hold over 1 million burials. Wow!

I ventured in for some macabre nosy-parkering on a dank, damp, January day. I wandered up to the church and the chapel, slipped inside the columbarium, and saw both the modern and traditional crematoriums (the latter does have a foreboding look about it- but then I suppose a crematorium is not going to be the most pleasant place on earth!)

Come and take a walk in my shoes and we'll take a look at some of the well-known people interred here. Aside from the cemetery's engineer and designer, William Haywood- who is housed in a grand mausoleum- it is also home to football legend Bobby Moore; actress Dame Anna Neagle; two of Jack the Ripper's victims and the Elephant Man.

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE DALSTON CURVE GARDEN VLOG NOW LIVE!

   My Dalston Curve Garden YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/lQWg2OXf4eY

This is a really special, secretive place, tucked away behind the urban hustle and bustle of Hackney.

Dalston Curve Garden is also often referred to as Dalston Eastern Curve Garden- that's because it sits on the site of the old Eastern Curve railway line, which closed in 1944. It is repurposed space, and it serves a real community need in providing a green environment for people who might not have access to their own garden.

Opened in 2010, this delightful garden offers numerous social, environmental and health benefits to the local population, and provides somewhere for people to join in activities, relax, and hopefully make friends. The garden funds itself through its licensed cafe, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise. You can buy beer, cider, wine and spirits here, they also have their own pizza oven and even sell Queen of Hearts cookies!

Come and take a walk in my shoes through this hidden gem, and see if this Queen of Tarts was tempted by the cookies!

I have also blogged about Dalston Curve Garden, link:-https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2025/11/miss-elaineous-visits-dalston-curve.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE KYOTO GARDEN VLOG NOW LIVE!

  My Kyoto Garden YouTube vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/fTFVgIQTDCc

The Kyoto Garden sits in Holland Park, London, and is a place for peace and quiet contemplation. It was opened in 1991 and was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the long friendship between Japan and Great Britain. I've always found Japanese culture fascinating- I read Memoirs Of A Geisha (my first ever Amazon purchase, back in 1998) and saw the film at the cinema. I also read Geisha, by Liza Dalby, an American anthropologist known as 'the blue-eyed geisha' who was the first western woman to train as a geisha.

I wandered past ruined Holland House to get to the Kyoto Garden. It was created in 1605 and was once a glittering social, literary and political centre. But in 1940, the house was hit by twenty-two incendiary bombs and largely destroyed, leaving only the east wing and library standing.

Come and take a walk in my shoes and we'll meander past the large house- sections of which have been seen on film and TV- and then we'll head into the Kyoto Garden, with it's perfect waterfall, Koi carp, Egyptian geese and a solitary peacock. Did he show me his fantail? Check out my vlog and you'll find out...

I have also blogged about the Kyoto Garden before, link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2018/09/miss-elaineous-visits-kyoto-garden.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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YOUTUBE LONDON MITHRAEUM VLOG NOW LIVE!

 My London Mithraeum vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/23Y9tEoJmx8

The London Mithraeum was a temple dedicated to the Roman god Mithras, was built in the 3rd century AD and lies on the site of the long-gone London river, the Walbrook.

The lost cult of Mithras first appeared in the 1st century AD and spread over Europe during the next 300 years. The temples- which were often constructed below ground, and built to resemble a cave- were dark, windowless and mysterious. The mythological scene of killing a bull within a cave- a tauroctony- was at the heart of this strictly male-only cult. The cult was very secretive, so therefore workings were unknown to outsiders. No written texts from the cult have survived, and what we know comes from archaeological research and brief references by Christian and Roman writers.

It it's believed that the killing of a bull was considered a cosmic event; and accompanied by zodiac signs. But did the killing of a bull really happen, or was this event merely symbolic? Come and take a walk in my shoes into this rather spooky space, see the interactive show depicting a ritual meeting, and find out. I really enjoyed making this video- it includes a bit of writing, and I'll always be about the written word!

I have also blogged about the London Mithraeum, link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2018/12/miss-elaineous-visits-london-mithraeum.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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THE OLD OPERATING THEATRE MUSEUM & HERB GARRET VLOG NOW LIVE!

 My Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret vlog is now live!

Link:-

https://youtu.be/2-n7hQAknjE

The Old Operating Theatre Museum dates back to 1822, but lay sealed up when St Thomas' Hospital moved from its ancient Southwark site to make way for a railway line into Charing Cross Station in 1862. It was rediscovered in 1956 and, along with the neighbouring Herb Garret, was restored and opened as a museum in 1962. This place is a truly delightful hidden gem, and I compared the Herb Garret- which is packed to the rafters with interesting medical and medicinal artefacts- to Miss Havisham's bridal chamber!

It's believed that the use of St Thomas' Church garret for the hospital apothecary to store herbs dates back to its construction, and herbs have been used for medicines since ancient times; with many modern medicines originating from plant sources. The Old Operating Theatre consists of five stands, which would have been packed with medical professionals and students back in its heyday.

Come and take a walk in my shoes, and I'll show you artworks, hospital paraphernalia and gruesome medical implements; one of which will make all female viewers wince and cross their legs!

Remember, I will always be a writer before anything else, and I have also blogged about the Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret, link:-

https://elainerockett.blogspot.com/2025/11/miss-elaineous-visits-old-operating.html

Remember to like and subscribe, and don't forget to follow this blog as well!

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS DALSTON CURVE GARDEN...

Dalston Curve Garden is in Hackney, East London, and is a community garden and cafe/ bar.  It is also referred to as Dalston Eastern Curve Garden; that's because it sits on the site of the old Eastern Curve railway line, and is a real hidden gem.  The railway stopped running in 1944, and the tracks were removed in 1965.

Here is the brightly lit entrance...

The Hackney Peace Carnival Mural sits right next to the garden.  This mural was created in 1983, to celebrate the GLC's (the Greater London Council, which is now defunct) Peace Year.  It shows a crowd of local faces making music and includes anti-war slogans and references.  It was designed by muralist Ray Walker, to celebrate community and multiculturalism.

Inside, under the sheltered space, and the garden is open all year round, for as many hours as possible...

Walking through into the open space, with the staff/ volunteers' space to the left.  Laptops are banned at this table, to encourage human interaction.

The garden provides a much-needed community space, in an urban area where people might not have access to their own garden.  Many people in this densely-populated, urban area live in flats.

Opened in 2010, this delightful garden offers numerous social, environmental and health benefits to the local population...

The garden is free to enter, and a programme of activities is on offer- the aim being to break down social isolation...

The area is very built up, and Hackney is the third most densely populated borough in London...

I love the expression on this concrete face- the SuperDean would describe the expression as him with a hangover!

The garden is run by staff, and an extensive supply of volunteers...

The garden funds itself through its cafe, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise...

The cafe sells hot and cold drinks, cakes, bread and soup, and they even have their own pizza oven...

You can also bring your own food...

The garden is licensed, and you can buy beer, cider, wine and spirits...

The garden contains wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs, and is a charming rural oasis!

Hawthorn, birch, bracken and hazel complement plants that were already growing on the site.

The railway once connected Dalston Junction station to the old North London line (now part of London Overground; recently re-christened the Mildmay line).

The site had been used as a scrapyard for a while after the Eastern Curve railway closed, but stood derelict after that...

There is a stage right at the end ot the garden, and performances do take place here, during special events.  They also have the annual Dalston Pumpkin Lantern Festival at Halloween- it's such a shame I missed that by a few weeks...

The Pineapple House is a conservatory-style greenhouse, and workshops are held here...

Raised planters have been added to the garden; for the purpose of growing herbs and vegetables...

The flowers and plants support insect life; and birds, butterflies and bees are attracted to this urban bucolic area...

Dalston Curve Garden came about following the "Making Space in Dalston" project, commissioned by Design for London...

...This is where Hackney Council and local residents and groups got together to discuss the paucity of green public spaces, and how to address the issue...

I have worked in this area before, and I used to buy my fabrics for college- when I was studying fashion design- from nearby Ridley Road Market.  This garden wasn't here then, but I don't think Dalston has changed that much.

The bar/ food counter, and this strikes me as a lovely venue to nip along to for relaxation, and to meet people.  For that reason, the garden is not available for private hire- it is a COMMUNITY space, for EVERYONE.

My eyes were drawn to the Queen of Hearts cookies here- I managed to resist scoffing one, but next time I won't!

Dalston Curve Garden, I will return (possibly with the SuperDean in tow- he'd love the pizza, and he'd certainly love the bar!)

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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