MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS HAMMERSMITH...

 It's a lesser known fact that The Miss Elaineous used to live in Hammersmith.  

Yes, for seven years I resided here so, after visiting the Ideal Home Show in nearby Olympia, I took the opportunity to take a memory-inducing gawp.

My apartment in Latymer Court was on the second floor, and all the windows faced one way, which made the flat ridiculously hot in the summer.  (I remember that during the summer of 2003 it was so hot that the cold taps actually ran warm!)

To the left of the drainpipe was my bedroom.  Then, to the right are the windows to the bathroom, spare room and living room, with the kitchen window just visible in the recess.  A neighbour's kitchen window was right next to it (the flats are certainly packed in) and we did have problems with blockages, as this particular bunch of fools liked to shove food waste down their sink.

I did go inside and walk right up to my old door and take a photo, but as the place is no longer mine, I'll keep that to myself...

I then went for a wander down to the River Thames.

Hammersmith Bridge is my favourite London bridge, was the first suspension bridge to be built over this river and dates back to 1827 (this bridge from 1887) but it is looking rather injured.   This photo was taken at the Hammersmith (north) end of the bridge.

The bridge has been targeted by the Irish Republican Army three times:- 

1939, when Chiswick hairdresser Maurice Childs was crossing the bridge on his way home when he noticed smoke and sparks coming from a suitcase on the walkway.  He tossed it into the river and the resulting explosion caused a 60 ft (18 metre) high jet of water.  He was later awarded the MBE for his quick thinking.  A second device detonated moments later, causing the windows in nearby houses to shatter, and some girders on the west side to collapse.

1996, when two big Semtex devices (the largest Semtex bomb ever found in Britain at the time) were discovered on the Barnes (south) side of the bridge.  The detonators were activated but the bomb failed to ignite.

2000, when the bridge was damaged by a Real IRA bomb, again on the Barnes side, resulting in its closure for two years.

Hammersmith Bridge has suffered from additional structural problems over the years; so sometimes cars were allowed over it, sometimes buses only and sometimes nothing at all.  It was simply not designed to take the volume of traffic now common to London.

Looking upstream to Putney, and this photo shows the mudflat of a beach...

The Boat Race starts from Putney Bridge, which is the next bridge up, and passes underneath Hammersmith Bridge.  I've seen the Boat Race start and, to be honest, there's nothing much to see!

I like the narrow steps leading up to the walkway...

Poor, sick Hammersmith Bridge from the Barnes end.

It was closed to motor vehicles in April 2019 after cracks were discovered in the bridge's pedestals, with this closure later extended to bicycles and pedestrians.

Limited usage resumed in July 2021, and there is a one-way system in place (which people were breaking).

I still think it's a majestic, beautiful old bridge...

River view glancing across and downstream...

A seagull minding his own business, along with the obligatory river junk; such as a traffic cone and a chair...

Skullduggery?!😁

Nope, this type of boat is spelt "scull."  There are many boating clubs situated along the banks of this section of the Thames, and these scullers were rowing towards Chiswick.

 

Looking over Lower Mall...

The Blue Anchor features in the end credits of 1980s favourite television series Minder, featuring George Cole and Dennis Waterman.  In the film Sliding Doors it's where Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow's character) gets involved in some post-rowing celebrations.

It was hosting a private function on this day, but when it's open to the public it's truly relaxing, weather permitting, to sit outside with a pint...  

I've also frequented this hostelry, the Rutland Arms...

This scene often features in noughties television drama series New Tricks, featuring Amanda Redman and (again) Dennis Waterman, when the team of detectives indulge in their after-work drinks...

I took this photo of an amputated tree over in Barnes just because I liked its artistic value.  It reminds me of a photo I took during my art foundation course, which I presented and named "Stark."

It looks like it's growing out of a bin, when it's not!  The square thing is on this side of the water, and I believe it's the end of a jetty.

Looking along the largest jetty...

Jetty view over the silt beach...

I've interspersed my original photos with some taken well over two years later, when I visited on a mild November day, blowing away the cobwebs with a river walk.  As you can see, the tide is much higher on this day.

You can see the sign for The Dove (yep, it's another Hammersmith pub I've frequented!😉)  I've sat here before of a balmy evening on their upstairs terrace, watching the flight path of planes make their way towards Heathrow.  I've even seen Concorde (and certainly heard it) begin its descent.  Incidentally, Concorde crashed on my birthday...

The SuperDean had to get his big, fat swede into the shot, so just for that it gets included in this blog...

The pub dates from the early 18th century, and the front bar is the smallest public bar in the United Kingdom.

Historical figures associated with this riverside pub include William Morris, Graham Greene, Earnest Hemingway and Dylan Thomas.  The words for the 1740 song Rule, Britannia! are said to have been written here by James Thomson. 

The Old Ship is a building which is thought to date back to the reign of Charles I (r. 1625-1649), and apparently retains its porch from that time, although it was rebuilt in its present form around 1850.

Yes, I've drunk in here too (I do remember some rather sharp chilli vodka) and saw a household name in the shape of Ralph Little, famous at the time for playing character Antony Royle in sitcom The Royle Family.  I didn't notice him (celebrity and fame do not impress me, so I don't go looking for "slebs") but my friend did and pointed him out. 

Chiswick Eyot is a tree and reed covered island in the Thames, visible here...

Just past this area are the cute Bell Steps, which are often also called the Black Lion Stairs, heading right down into the water.  They're handy if you live next door and own a boat!

 The Black Lion and (surprise surprise!) I've drunk in here, too!  Apparently, it has a bowling alley inside, but I don't remember it.  The pub is said to be haunted by "the Hammersmith ghost" who's lurked in this area since 1803.  He's a spectral, white-clad figure who's said to hang around the local churchyard springing out at women.  

Heading towards Chiswick Mall, and this cute vintage Fiat 500 sits outside Mari's Deli & Dining; an Italian restaurant. 

The tall pipe you can see is a stink pipe.  They were installed during the Victorian era, and their purpose is to release noxious gases from the sewers down below!

 They were invented after the Great Stink of London, which occured in 1858, when the Thames was filled with waste that fermented in hot weather.  Yuk!  After that designer and engineer Joseph Bazalgette was commissioned to build a new sewage system network throughout London.

The houses in Chiswick Mall have gardens which sit over the road.  I've seen this area totally flooded when the Thames has burst its banks, with water as high as the centre of the road. 

Looking through someone's garden to Chiswick Eyot.  I'm not sure I'd want a house with a separate garden, or indeed to live on a road so prone to flooding. 

I have to say, I got a real feeling of loneliness as I progressed back along Upper Mall.  Mind you, a ladybird landed on my sunglasses and they're supposed to bring wealth and luck. I hope so!♥️

Kelmscott House was the home of socialist designer William Morris (1834-1896) for the last 18 years of his life.  It's along Upper Mall, and now houses the William Morris Society, which aims to perpetuate his memory.  Unfortunately the building was temporarily closed due to flood damage.

I love this building next door, and would adore a flat with one (or more) of those eye-catching crescent balconies.  I could frequent The Dove, which is only separated from it by an alleyway, and not have to worry with regard to how I'm getting home...

Beautiful roof of blossom outside St Paul's church...

Hammersmith Broadway, which also features in the end credits to Minder.

This is the Rik Mayall Memorial Bench, which sits on an island near Hammersmith Broadway (quite an absurd place for a seat!)  The original bench featured in the opening credits of Bottom, the humorous TV series which starred Mayall (1958-2014) and Adrian Edmondson.

Do I miss living in Hammersmith?  I don't think so.  Like anywhere, it had its positives and it had its negatives.

But it's easy to pop to on the train (albeit for a lengthy, over-an-hour-long journey) and I do intend to go to Hogarth's House and Chiswick House & Gardens when I can (and I'm certain I'll have a "why couldn't I have done this when I lived nearby?" moment!)

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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MISS ELAINEOUS VISITS THE BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS...

It was the fifth time I'd visited Blackpool; this time staying at Cala Gran holiday park up the road, seven miles away in Fleetwood.  It was quite a compact, clean site and easily accessible, being ten minutes walk away from two tram stops and having a bus stop- the bus deposited me by Blackpool Tower within half an hour- right outside its gates.  That's very important for those of us who don't drive!

Standing on the North Pier, watching the waves of the Irish Sea lash against the shore and waiting for the sun to disappear, so that the show could begin...

Dusk approaching as we walked towards the entrance to the pier, and it was quite pleasant for late September.  I didn't even need a jacket...

The iconic Blackpool Tower, which was first opened to the public in 1894.

Every year the Big Switch On occurs; when a celebrity flicks the switch to the lights.  They usually run from late August until early November.

The circle in the distance is Blackpool Central Pier Big Wheel.  To the left the light-up heart is at the base of Blackpool Tower. 

The Illuminations are 6.2 miles (10km) long and use over one million bulbs, running from Starr Gate at the south end of the town to Bispham in the north.

The Blackpool Tower.  The lights are often changing and dancing in patterns, but on this night, the switch appeared to be stuck on blue!

The Illuminations were founded and first switched on in 1879.  They originally consisted of just eight arc lamps setting the promenade aglow.

The Spiro Light Tunnel was over 25 metres in length...

It was a fantastic piece of interactive "art," and here's the SuperDean in the tunnel...

The Giant Beach Balls were both seven metres tall, and consisted of 7,000 tiny lights...

You could walk through these for your "selfie" moment...

I know it's wrong, and I know I'm bad, but the tower and his friends reminded me of a penis and balls...😄

Only I could find the Blackpool Tower phallic!

Light-up train tram.  I've never actually been on it (although I have been on a heritage tram) and I do think that it's better to be an observer, as you can't get to appreciate its delights from inside. 

The next night couldn't have been more different weather-wise, and was wet and squally.  Lets just say I'm glad I had my jacket on and had a hat with me!  It was already dark by the time we reached North Pier, and here I'm standing in the same position I was in when I took the first photo of this blog, about 25 hours before... 

 

We wandered up from the North Pier and caught the tram to Bispham, sheltering whilst we waited all of five minutes for the lights to come on.

The first of the tableaux was one of my favourites- Alice In Wonderland...

...And here is one of my my favourite characters; the Cheshire Cat...

Egyptian tabloid, with a mummy waking up...

The mummy going back to sleep, with a sarcophagus (which also opens up) guarding procedures.😆

The Haunted Hotel with its flickering, spooky faces.  

It used to play Michael Jackson's Thriller, but I can't remember if it was doing so on this night or not- I have heard that there were some kind of copyright issues.

The Open Sesame tabloid has this guy popping up for a piece of the action...

...And these guys sticking their heads above the parapet of their amphorae.

As you can see, the door at the front is closed...

...But at the command, the "Open Sesame" door slides away to reveal sparkling treasure...💜💛

Dr Who installation, including the Tardis and Daleks.

This has been known to grace the lone roundabout of Gynn Square, but more about that later...

Who was the Doctor of your childhood?  Mine was Tom Baker (my favourite- my nickname as a child was Dr Who as I wore an extra-long scarf, just like his character, and scared the hell out of the boys as a six-year-old!😁) followed by Peter Davidson.

The Isle of Man is just over the water behind these illuminations, but I could barely make out its lights due to the grotty weather.

Star installation, in various stages of incarnation...

...You have to be quick off the draw with your camera- you can see how many attempts it took me to get the photo I wanted!

...et voila!

This was a canopy of lights gracing the main road.  The SuperDean said he'd like them round his bed!

Swan Lake ballerinas...

Red Indians as part of a Wild West section, and topless, hula-skirted South Sea Island dancers.

Representations of nursery rhymes Hickory Dickory Dock and Little Miss Muffet.

I originally thought this was variations of the sun, plus an accompanying moon...

...But it's actually the sun in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

It's one of my favourites (maybe because astronomy has always fascinated me, although this is a tad basic as an introduction to the delights of the solar system!)

Coral Island, with its pirate ship.  At this point the tram tracks were between me and the installation.  You really need to click on these photographs whilst viewing them on your computer to see them at their best.

This is actually the back end of an illuminated ship, which is another of Blackpool's light-up trams.

To the left is Jesus stating, "I am the resurrection and the life."  I'll probably go to hell for saying this, but in this instance Jesus's bulky loincloth is making him look the shape of a woman! 

Gynn Square, and the roundabout housed a full-sized RAF Spitfire which, in association with the town's aviation museum, Hangar 42, had been put there to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day- when World War II ended in Europe.  It also paid tribute to Blackpool's veterans- during this time Blackpool was one of the world's largest military training centres.

In previous years this space has housed giant, sparkling tiaras and the aforementioned Dr Who installation. 

At least the colour of the tower was changing on this night- the previous day it appeared to be stuck on blue!

The Illuminations were halted after the outbreak of WWI, in 1914, and not switched on again until 1925.  They were also interrupted in 1939, by WWII, but post war austerity meant that they weren't switched on again until 1949.

I am a total chav- I always refer to the Blackpool Illuminations as the "Northern Lights!"

This one takes the prize for being my favourite installation- I'd love a pair of earrings like that.💓

Later on in the week we ventured into Blackpool Tower's iconic Tower Ballroom.  The floor measures 120ft² and is comprised of 30,602 blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut. 

Looking up at the elegantly decorated ceiling with its chandeliers, whilst having a cup of coffee on the sidelines.

We didn't dance.  There were some couples on the floor who really knew their stuff, and it was lovely to see the ladies all dressed up in their finery and heels.  I'm no fan of casual dressing!

Even the lights hark back to a different; decadent, dreamier era.

The Ballroom was originally a smaller pavilion which opened in 1894, until the present Ballroom opened in 1899.

We walked right down to the end of the North Pier (well, as far as we could).  An ugly bouncy castle had been marring our view a few days before, but now it was deflated.

The inside of the Sunset Lounge & Carousel Bar gave us an unspoilt view over the Irish Sea.  The outdoor sun lounge is classified as "the largest beer garden in Blackpool," but this was more of an indoors kind of day!

Attractions on the pier include this bar and a theatre.  At the entrance there is a very lovely cafe called North Perk, an amusement arcade, an Italian ice cream parlour and a Gypsy palm reader.

The Venetian Carousel.  I've been on this two-tier carousel before, but didn't bother on this day.

A daytime view of the tower.  In contrast to the start of the week, the temperature had dropped and the wind was whipping up...

...Which meant that health and safety dictated that we couldn't go up the Blackpool Tower.

Oh well, we weren't too disappointed as we'd done it before, and here are my photos from a previous trip.

This is a photo of the Comedy Carpet, which was unveiled by comedian Ken Dodd in 2011, taken from the Blackpool Tower Eye.  850 writers and comedians are represented on the comedy carpet; which includes some well-known jokes, songs and catchphrases.

You can get a 360° view from the Tower Eye.  Here you can see the Winter Gardens, which are behind the Tower.

Going up to the next level, and the North Pier is to the right.  It opened in 1863 and is my favourite of Blackpool's three piers as it's understated and elegant; retaining its Victorian charm..

Up to the third and final accessible level, and the Central Pier and South Pier are to the left.

The Tower Eye experience also includes a 3D film celebrating Blackpool's history.  You even get a donkey farting at you!😁😁😁

The long drop down (380ft), as viewed through the Skywalk, which is their glass floor.

There is a lot more to see in Blackpool, such as:-

* Blackpool Pleasure Beach

* Sandcastle Waterpark

* Blackpool Tower Dungeon

* Madame Tussauds Blackpool

* Sealife Blackpool Aquarium

Ripley's Believe It Or Not!

* Blackpool Zoo

 * Central Pier

* South Pier

...And they're just the attractions we have done!  They also have the Winter Gardens, the Grand Theatre and many, many pubs and cabaret bars for you to visit.

You really have to see the lights yourself to appreciate them- my photographs only offer up a portion of the Illuminations.  I didn't venture as far as the South Pier on this trip and didn't take any photos of the light show that's projected onto the Tower.

Blackpool, I'm sure I will return (I'd happily give Cala Gran a go again...)

Until then,

TTFN

The Miss Elaineous

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