Spoon & Tamago
Tan Yamanouchi’s New House Speaks to His Cats’ Desires
Ever wondered what your home might look like if it were custom-designed to cater to the tastes of...
a year ago
Ever wondered what your home might look like if it were custom-designed to cater to the tastes of your beloved feline companions? Well, the architect Tan Yamanouchi of AWGL has designed a purr-fect home, prioritizing his two cats over himself and his partner.
Related posts:
a...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 23-24 September 2023
Exhibitions, festivals, workshops, talks, cabaret, comedy... phew!
a year ago
Exhibitions, festivals, workshops, talks, cabaret, comedy... phew!
diamond geezer
Bus of the day 157
Bus Route Of The Day
157: Crystal Palace to Morden
Quadrant: London southwest
Length of journey: 12...
5 months ago
Bus Route Of The Day
157: Crystal Palace to Morden
Quadrant: London southwest
Length of journey: 12 miles, 70 minutes
Because it's 15th July I've been out riding the 157, because that's the Bus Route Of The Day. Be warned I have a few of these up my sleeve as the week progresses,...
diamond geezer
You must have a valid ticket before boarding
Last month there were significant closures on the DLR and a replacement bus service ran.
And...
4 months ago
Last month there were significant closures on the DLR and a replacement bus service ran.
And there was one particular sentence that surprised me the most.
"You must have a valid ticket before boarding the replacement bus service."
I've never seen that before, not on a TfL...
Londonist
Tate Britain Reveals Grenfell-Inspired Staircase
Chris Ofili's Requiem unveiled.
a year ago
Chris Ofili's Requiem unveiled.
Spoon & Tamago
Tentacle-Inspired Leather Accessories Handcrafted by Cokeco
Cokeco are a Fukuoka-based design duo who create leather accessories inspired by the natural...
3 months ago
Cokeco are a Fukuoka-based design duo who create leather accessories inspired by the natural curiosities of the world around them. Lately, their attention has been focused on sealife: specifically, our multi-limbed mollusc friends whose tentacles provide endless inspiration for...
diamond geezer
TfL FoI requests in November 2024
30 things we learnt from TfL FoI requests in November 2024
1) In a typical month (April 2024) TfL...
3 weeks ago
30 things we learnt from TfL FoI requests in November 2024
1) In a typical month (April 2024) TfL issued 29,767 Under 16 Oyster Photocards, 6992 16+ Oyster Photocards, 6028 18+ Oyster Photocards and 269 Apprentice Oyster Photocards.
2) The social media management tool used by...
Londonist
Punchdrunk: Immersive Doyens Return In 2024 With "Moonlit Fever Dream"
Tickets for Viola's Room on sale this week.
9 months ago
Tickets for Viola's Room on sale this week.
diamond geezer
SL10
Route SL10: Harrow - North Finchley
Length of journey: 9 miles, 50 minutes
London gained a new...
a year ago
Route SL10: Harrow - North Finchley
Length of journey: 9 miles, 50 minutes
London gained a new outer orbital bus route yesterday, a peripheral dash connecting the boroughs of Harrow, Brent and Barnet.
new Superloop service, the previous four merely being existing routes...
diamond geezer
The Angel, Islington
THE ANGEL
ISLINGTON
£100
London's Monopoly Streets
The ANGEL, ISLINGTON
Colour group: light...
10 months ago
THE ANGEL
ISLINGTON
£100
London's Monopoly Streets
The ANGEL, ISLINGTON
Colour group: light blue
Purchase price: £100
Rent: £6
Length: n/a
Borough: Islington
Postcode: N1
The Angel has quite a backstory, indeed if you want a full a proper history you should read the lengthy...
diamond geezer
Doctor Who 60
On Doctor Who's 60th birthday, here's a post about Doctor Who and birthdays.
I checked back...
a year ago
On Doctor Who's 60th birthday, here's a post about Doctor Who and birthdays.
I checked back recently and was amazed to see that my birthday had coincided with a new episode of Doctor Who in four consecutive years. This seemed somewhat improbable.
9th March 1982: Earthshock...
Spoon & Tamago
Tomona Matsukawa’s Realistic Paintings Reconstruct Fragments of Everyday Life
“Morning will come and my feelings will ease a little” (2024), Oil on linen mounted on panel...
8 months ago
“Morning will come and my feelings will ease a little” (2024), Oil on linen mounted on panel Kyoto-based artist Tomona Matsukawa creates realistic and somewhat dramatic oil paintings that are each inspired by conversations with other women of her generation, often strangers. The...
diamond geezer
Notes from the SL1
Notes from the SL1
Route SL1: North Finchley - Walthamstow Central
Length of journey: 10 miles, 50...
a year ago
Notes from the SL1
Route SL1: North Finchley - Walthamstow Central
Length of journey: 10 miles, 50 minutes
• The SL1 is the second new Superloop route, as opposed to a rebrand. It's also the first, numerically speaking, although nobody has ever satisfactorily explained why...
Londonist
Short Courses At UAL: Learn Life-Changing Creative Skills How (And When) You Want
Over 1,000 short courses to choose from.
a year ago
Over 1,000 short courses to choose from.
diamond geezer
Wimbledon expands
Last week the Deputy Mayor approved the All England Club's planning application to build 39 new...
2 months ago
Last week the Deputy Mayor approved the All England Club's planning application to build 39 new tennis courts across Wimbledon Park. But was that decision right or was it wrong?
extend across the road with a new show court and dozens of practice courts, and throw in a new...
Londonist
A Chance To Visit The 'Roman' Bath In Strand Lane
One of London's most lied-about attractions.
a year ago
One of London's most lied-about attractions.
Spoon & Tamago
Forest Crayons Derived Solely From a Different Species of Tree Native to Japan
Forest Crayons are a set of 10 crayons, each with a color derived solely from a different species of...
5 months ago
Forest Crayons are a set of 10 crayons, each with a color derived solely from a different species of tree native to Japan such as cedar, hazenoki and katsura. Designed by Saki Maruyama and Daniel Coppen of Studio Playfool, the crayons manage to repurpose Japan’s otherwise wasted...
Londonist
The Petrie Museum: Ancient Egypt Without The British Museum Crowds
The Bloomsbury museum hidden in UCL.
10 months ago
The Bloomsbury museum hidden in UCL.
diamond geezer
Counties visited
Now that my blog is really old, I thought it might be interesting from time to time to go back and...
10 months ago
Now that my blog is really old, I thought it might be interesting from time to time to go back and revisit a post from 20 years ago. Ideally exactly 20 years ago, which in this case would be 8th February 2004. When I asked this.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
I've visited the...
diamond geezer
Hinchley Wood
One Stop Beyond: Hinchley Wood
Hinchley Wood, one stop beyond Surbiton on the New Guildford...
4 months ago
One Stop Beyond: Hinchley Wood
Hinchley Wood, one stop beyond Surbiton on the New Guildford line.
unsung fields to the east of Esher, officially in the parish of Thames Ditton, sliced through by a non-stopping railway. What changed things was the arrival of the Kingston Bypass...
Londonist
Brixton Academy Is Reopening In April
First gigs announced since December 2022.
9 months ago
First gigs announced since December 2022.
Cheese and Biscuits
Chungdam, Soho
I generally try and avoid focusing too much on service on invited meals. If the front of house know...
a year ago
I generally try and avoid focusing too much on service on invited meals. If the front of house know you're in to review they usually try and be that extra bit more attentive, and occasionally too much so, and either way it's rarely an accurate reflection of the average punter's...
Londonist
Best Of London 2023: It's The Annual Londonist Awards!
Dust off your tux - it's trophy time!
12 months ago
Dust off your tux - it's trophy time!
AFAR Media - Travel...
Why Lisbon's Culinary Scene Rivals Europe's Best Food Cities
a month ago
The Forney Flyer
Rain Rain Go Away...
This past year has been by far the wettest year since we've been in Uganda. Last year we had a very...
over a year ago
This past year has been by far the wettest year since we've been in Uganda. Last year we had a very short dry season, and then the rains came again with extra vengeance. The second, shorter, dry season that is supposed to come about half way through the year--well it basically...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 1-7 January 2024
All our best articles from the past week.
11 months ago
All our best articles from the past week.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Where to Ski, Stay, & Explore Outdoors in Alberta's Winter
a month ago
diamond geezer
dg's TikTok tips
dg's TikTok tips: the iconic phonebox shot
only one has the pixiedust to glam up your socials big...
a week ago
dg's TikTok tips: the iconic phonebox shot
only one has the pixiedust to glam up your socials big time. It's the red phone box in Parliament Square, north side, and if you stand alongside you can combine the holy trinity of a) red phone box b) the actual Big Ben c) your pouting...
Londonist
Eurostar Launches Flash Sale - With Tickets From £35
Dépêchez-vous!
9 months ago
Londonist
Doctor Who TARDIS And Sculpture Appear On South Bank
See David Tennant regenerate into Ncuti Gutwa... and back again.
a year ago
See David Tennant regenerate into Ncuti Gutwa... and back again.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Shop the Best Artisan Goods in China, Colombia, and Spain
2 months ago
Herbert Lui
Some notes on a return visit to Hong Kong
In late 2021, I moved to Hong Kong for six months. My partner and I enjoyed it so much that we ended...
2 weeks ago
In late 2021, I moved to Hong Kong for six months. My partner and I enjoyed it so much that we ended up staying nearly a year and a half. We moved to New York City shortly after that, and I started my job at Figma. I always thought I’d document the trip some other […]
The post...
Londonist
Where To Watch The Super Bowl 2024 In London
Screenings and parties across the capital.
11 months ago
Screenings and parties across the capital.
Londonist
What's Happening With London Housing, Rent And Development? November 2023
Our quickfire summary of bricks and mortar, steel and glass.
a year ago
Our quickfire summary of bricks and mortar, steel and glass.
diamond geezer
London's largest common
What's London's largest common?
In particular it depends on what common land is. The Open Spaces...
11 months ago
What's London's largest common?
In particular it depends on what common land is. The Open Spaces Society says this.
"Common land is land that has an owner but over which other people have the right to use and take away certain natural produce. These people, known as commoners,...
Spoon & Tamago
150-Year Old Florist in Yanaka Blossoms with a New Cafe
all photos by Takuya Seki courtesy Maru Architects Founded in 1870, Hanaju is a florist that has...
3 months ago
all photos by Takuya Seki courtesy Maru Architects Founded in 1870, Hanaju is a florist that has served Tokyo’s Yanaka neighborhood for over 150 years. The flower shop is located near the entrance of Yanaka Cemetery and is surrounded by traditional homes and businesses, including...
diamond geezer
Tower Hamlets Town Hall
Over the years I've been round ten London borough town halls as part of Open House but never my own....
a year ago
Over the years I've been round ten London borough town halls as part of Open House but never my own. That's because Tower Hamlets' was a hired fortress close to the mouth of the Blackwall Tunnel and no great architectural shakes. But the council's just moved into a new base in...
Spoon & Tamago
Local Noto Businesses that You Can Support
Roughly 6000 people remain in temporary evacuation shelters ever since the Noto Earthquake on...
11 months ago
Roughly 6000 people remain in temporary evacuation shelters ever since the Noto Earthquake on January 1st upended life for so many. And while the recovery is long and arduous, many are doing what they can to return to normal and that includes the many local businesses in the Noto...
Londonist
Alternative London Tube Map Shows Great Engineers
From Bazalgette to modern day pioneers.
a year ago
From Bazalgette to modern day pioneers.
diamond geezer
Ten ways to solve London's housing crisis
Ten ways to solve London's housing crisis
1) Pave over golf courses
golf courses in London covering...
a week ago
Ten ways to solve London's housing crisis
1) Pave over golf courses
golf courses in London covering approximately 3% of the capital by area, a ridiculously wasteful proportion. A lot of fairways are also very close to existing railway stations so could swiftly become a key part...
diamond geezer
Bedford to Bletchley for £1
A ride down the Marston Vale line
(where a train journey currently costs just £1, for reasons...
6 months ago
A ride down the Marston Vale line
(where a train journey currently costs just £1, for reasons explained yesterday)
Bedford
Platform 1a beside the car park, chugging away noisily and hourly.
Nearby: The town centre was fairly buzzy on Saturday, helped by umpteen outdoor market...
diamond geezer
Bus of the day - 146
Bus Route Of The Day
146: Bromley North to Downe
Location: Outer London south
Length of journey: 6...
6 months ago
Bus Route Of The Day
146: Bromley North to Downe
Location: Outer London south
Length of journey: 6 miles, 25 minutes
Because it's 14th June I've been out riding the 146, because that's the Bus Route Of The Day.
The 146 is one of TfL's handful of hourly buses, and by far the...
AFAR Media - Travel...
What to Eat, Do, and See, and Where to Stay, in Maine
4 months ago
Londonist
Things You Might Not Know About The Borough Of Harrow
Even Boudicca decided it was worth a visit.
a year ago
Even Boudicca decided it was worth a visit.
AFAR Media - Travel...
United Airlines Credit Cards Increase Sign-Up Bonuses
a year ago
Londonist
"The Tube Is Ripe For Comedy - So I Wrote A Play About It"
Chances are you'll recognise some of the characters in Cockfosters.
a year ago
Chances are you'll recognise some of the characters in Cockfosters.
diamond geezer
Bus stops served by the most buses
Sunday was the 5th best day ever on diamond geezer, visitornumberswise, and came within a smidge of...
6 months ago
Sunday was the 5th best day ever on diamond geezer, visitornumberswise, and came within a smidge of being the 4th. As usual it had nothing to do with something I'd just written, just thousands of people piling onto an old post which just happened to answer a question someone had...
diamond geezer
Central line upgrade
#10002 ✅ Journeys
January 2020 TfL started withdrawing rolling stock from the Central line as part...
a year ago
#10002 ✅ Journeys
January 2020 TfL started withdrawing rolling stock from the Central line as part of an ongoing programme of refurbishment. All the motors need replacing, plus this offered the additional opportunity to add wheelchair spaces, LED lighting, CCTV and improved...
Londonist
Trivia About Other Places Called London Around The World
Including one which is FREAKISHLY similar to our own London.
a year ago
Including one which is FREAKISHLY similar to our own London.
Londonist
It's Official - London Has Two Of The World's 10 Best Bars
But Barcelona's still the best place to booze.
a year ago
But Barcelona's still the best place to booze.
Londonist
The Lost Trees Of London
The biggest and best trees that are no more.
a year ago
The biggest and best trees that are no more.
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 25 September-1 October 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Family-Friendly Travel Guide to Minneapolis, MN
7 months ago
Londonist
16 Spring Day Trips From London: April 2024
Steam trains, flower festivals and a mysterious grotto.
9 months ago
Steam trains, flower festivals and a mysterious grotto.
AFAR Media - Travel...
The 10 Least Visited U.S. National Parks and How to Visit
a year ago
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 18-24 September 2023
A tube map for planes, a street with four names - plus a really silly interview.
a year ago
A tube map for planes, a street with four names - plus a really silly interview.
Herbert Lui
Invest in your stories
My friend Peter started posting at LinkedIn a couple of years ago. He noticed that while people who...
2 weeks ago
My friend Peter started posting at LinkedIn a couple of years ago. He noticed that while people who followed him appreciated his advice, what they remembered most were his stories—about how he met his co-founder and started an agency, how they spun out new companies, and his move...
Londonist
Giant Gorilla In Paternoster Square... And You Can Climb On It
New Gillie and Marc sculptures show endangered wildlife.
11 months ago
New Gillie and Marc sculptures show endangered wildlife.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Your Next Caribbean Vacation to The Cayman Islands
8 months ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
Reasons Why Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Are the Getaway Destinations
a year ago
Londonist
London To Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023: When Is It? What's The Route? Which Vehicles Will I See?
What a sight!
a year ago
diamond geezer
Canary Wharf 25
Today is Canary Wharf station's 25th birthday. Not the DLR station (that's 33) nor the Crossrail...
3 months ago
Today is Canary Wharf station's 25th birthday. Not the DLR station (that's 33) nor the Crossrail station (that's 2) but the Jubilee line station which opened mid-afternoon on Friday 17th September 1999.
The relentless commercialisation of Canary Wharf station
"Twenty banks of...
diamond geezer
Bus of the day 167
Bus Route Of The Day
167: Ilford to Loughton
Quadrant: London northeast
Length of journey: 8 miles,...
5 months ago
Bus Route Of The Day
167: Ilford to Loughton
Quadrant: London northeast
Length of journey: 8 miles, 50 minutes
Because it's 16th July I've been out riding the 167, because that's the Bus Route Of The Day. Let's hit the Home Counties.
167 extends far enough to properly enter...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 21-27 August 2023
EVERY brewery taproom, a view higher than the Shard, and NFL in London.
a year ago
EVERY brewery taproom, a view higher than the Shard, and NFL in London.
Cheese and Biscuits
Kachori, Elephant and Castle
There's a lot to be said about the redevelopment/regeneration/whitewashing (delete as applicable) of...
a year ago
There's a lot to be said about the redevelopment/regeneration/whitewashing (delete as applicable) of Elephant and Castle, and I am singularly unqualified to say it. I'm not trying to avoid the issue (honest), but am very aware that having nothing invested in the old place and...
Londonist
Ever Been To This Free London Yew Maze?
A tree-ific day out, right alongside the Elizabeth line.
a year ago
A tree-ific day out, right alongside the Elizabeth line.
Spoon & Tamago
Kirie Artist Lito Celebrates Tanabata with Handcut Leaves
Today is Tanabata (七夕, meaning “Evening of the seventh”), a Japanese festival celebrating the...
5 months ago
Today is Tanabata (七夕, meaning “Evening of the seventh”), a Japanese festival celebrating the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh...
Cheese and Biscuits
Nord, Liverpool
In a town that already plays host to wonderful places like Wreckfish and Manifest, you'd think that...
a year ago
In a town that already plays host to wonderful places like Wreckfish and Manifest, you'd think that the opening of another reasonably-priced, seasonal modern British restaurant in the centre of Liverpool would be a shoo-in for success. With demand already proven for this kind of...
diamond geezer
Old Oak Common to Euston
A Nice Walk: Old Oak Common to Euston (6 miles)
High Speed 2 is seemingly forever under threat, the...
a year ago
A Nice Walk: Old Oak Common to Euston (6 miles)
High Speed 2 is seemingly forever under threat, the latest proposal being that it should run only between not-quite-central Birmingham and not-quite-central London. But would it really be so terrible to terminate the line at Old...
diamond geezer
Random borough 3
Twenty years ago, on my first Random Borough trip, my jamjar took me to Merton and I only gave it a...
9 months ago
Twenty years ago, on my first Random Borough trip, my jamjar took me to Merton and I only gave it a one-day write-up. Two decades later I'm doing Merton justice by giving it three days, of which this is the last, so buckle down to learn about fertiliser, philanthropy and phone...
diamond geezer
Random borough 2
Twenty years ago today I brought you my very first Random Borough report from the London borough of...
9 months ago
Twenty years ago today I brought you my very first Random Borough report from the London borough of Merton. But it was fairly brief - most of my posts were back then - so two decades on I'm having another go to do Merton justice. Yesterday somewhere sporty and somewhere pretty,...
diamond geezer
Count update
After a week of The Count, i.e. 25%, here's what I said I'd count and some of what you asked me to...
10 months ago
After a week of The Count, i.e. 25%, here's what I said I'd count and some of what you asked me to count.
Sorry, some of your suggestions proved terribly impractical.
Count 1) Number of visits to this blog: 22300
Count 2) Number of comments on this blog: 209
Count 3) Number of...
Londonist
Jings! London Is Getting A Deli Selling Nothing But Scottish Food
The Shoap opens in Angel in February.
10 months ago
The Shoap opens in Angel in February.
Londonist
The Colony Room: Soho's Infamous Drinking Den is Back From The Dead... Sort Of
Drinks will be at 2008 prices too.
a year ago
Drinks will be at 2008 prices too.
Londonist
The Top Exhibitions To See In London In November 2023
David Hockney, Antony Gormley and some strange creatures.
a year ago
David Hockney, Antony Gormley and some strange creatures.
Londonist
This North American City Is Basically A Big Old Copy-And-Paste Of London
Copy our homework much, folks?
11 months ago
Copy our homework much, folks?
Cheese and Biscuits
Solo, Aughton
When I was first out of university, trying to decide what to do with my life, and with no long term...
9 months ago
When I was first out of university, trying to decide what to do with my life, and with no long term plan other than the fact I knew - eventually - I wanted to move to London and stay there, I got a job as a cashier at Ormskirk Abbey National. Ormskirk is ostensibly a market town,...
Spoon & Tamago
A Relic of the Past, Shibuya Green Tea is Leafing Out Once Again
Umeharaen, a green tea seller that once stood at the corner of Shibuya Crossing Shibuya typically...
11 months ago
Umeharaen, a green tea seller that once stood at the corner of Shibuya Crossing Shibuya typically conjures images of tall skyscrapers, neon lights, and the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings. Not tranquil tea plantations. But 150 years ago in the early Meiji era, Shibuya, as...
Londonist
Non-Christmassy Things To Do In London In December
Where to avoid Christmas completely in London this year.
a year ago
Where to avoid Christmas completely in London this year.
Londonist
Londonist Speaks To Aunty Donna About Mayors, Theft... And The Word 'Piccadilly'
Comic Aussie surrealists are in town.
a year ago
Comic Aussie surrealists are in town.
diamond geezer
Unofficial tube map news 1
Three weeks ago a pasta-delivery company announced they'd be giving away free pasta outside five...
a year ago
Three weeks ago a pasta-delivery company announced they'd be giving away free pasta outside five tube stations on October 25th to celebrate World Pasta Day. This is the kind of marketingbolx that various media platforms adore, and Time Out, Metro, Secret London, AOL, MSN and the...
AFAR Media - Travel...
4 Kessler Collection Hotels with Art in the Southern U.S.
4 months ago
Londonist
Brewery Taprooms In London: A List Of Every Single One Of 'Em
Have we got brews for you.
a year ago
Have we got brews for you.
diamond geezer
It's all downhill from here
It's all downhill from here.
This set of freak circumstances is never going to happen again. A...
5 months ago
It's all downhill from here.
This set of freak circumstances is never going to happen again. A Conservative party proven long-term incompetent by a sequence of abysmal Prime Ministers, a last minute intervention by Nigel Farage draining support away from the right, the Lib Dems...
diamond geezer
TfL FoI requests in July 2024
20 things we learnt from TfL FoI requests in July 2024
1) TfL will not reveal the maximum speed on...
4 months ago
20 things we learnt from TfL FoI requests in July 2024
1) TfL will not reveal the maximum speed on each tube line because "disclosure of the information you have requested would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of TfL employees and members of the general...
AFAR Media - Travel...
The Best Outdoor Destinations for Every Kind of Traveler
6 months ago
Londonist
The Massive (And Massively Controversial) Stratford Sphere
Is Vegas coming to east London?
a year ago
Is Vegas coming to east London?
AFAR Media - Travel...
Inside Marie Antoinette’s Reopened Apartment At Versailles
a year ago
Londonist
The Top Exhibitions To See In London In September 2023
A crystal dinner and chic couture in this month's top shows to see in London.
a year ago
A crystal dinner and chic couture in this month's top shows to see in London.
Londonist
You Can Take A Dip In This Rooftop Pool Overlooking Battersea Power Station
art'otel announces series of aerobics classes.
11 months ago
art'otel announces series of aerobics classes.
diamond geezer
Another Islington post
Thanks for your suggestions for another Islington-based post.
Allow me to sort-of tackle what some...
a year ago
Thanks for your suggestions for another Islington-based post.
Allow me to sort-of tackle what some of you asked.
How about a walk around the gardens and squares of Islington?
Please can you explore Thornhill Square? I've walked around it a few times, and wondered what it would...
AFAR Media - Travel...
6 Reasons To Travel by Private Yacht in Croatia
10 months ago
diamond geezer
An A-Z of London post offices
I wanted to buy a dozen stamps.
For this alphabetical challenge I needed a list of London's post...
a year ago
I wanted to buy a dozen stamps.
For this alphabetical challenge I needed a list of London's post offices, which is awkward because the Post Office's branch finder doesn't do lists, only "closest to"s. Thankfully this is a problem other people also have, and volunteers at...
diamond geezer
B2024
This is the road of the year, the B2024.
There was once an A2024 heading east out of Chichester,...
11 months ago
This is the road of the year, the B2024.
There was once an A2024 heading east out of Chichester, but a WW2 airfield severed that so the B2024 is now all we have.
It kicks off in the middle of Westerham, a proper Wealden town with a coaching inn, tea rooms and a historic high...
diamond geezer
Bus of the day 177
Bus Route Of The Day
177: Peckham to Thamesmead
Quadrant: London southeast
Length of journey: 12...
5 months ago
Bus Route Of The Day
177: Peckham to Thamesmead
Quadrant: London southeast
Length of journey: 12 miles, 75 minutes
Because it's 17th July I've been out riding the 177, because that's the Bus Route Of The Day. There are more glamorous ways to travel.
177 is your friend, and...
Londonist
Dozens Of Vintage Boats Moor Up In Central London This September
The (free!) Classic Boat Festival is back at St Katharine Docks.
a year ago
The (free!) Classic Boat Festival is back at St Katharine Docks.
Spoon & Tamago
Yoko Tada Began Painting in her 80s. At 100 She’s Publishing Her First Book
“natsu no prelude” (prelude of the summer) by Yoko Tada won honorable mention last year from the...
a year ago
“natsu no prelude” (prelude of the summer) by Yoko Tada won honorable mention last year from the Japan Watercolor Association The painter Yoko Tada is having what some would call “a moment.” Last year her work was recognized by the Japan Watercolor Association, an organization...
diamond geezer
Crossing the boundary
While I was in Enfield, heading away from the power station, I decided to depart across Sewardstone...
8 months ago
While I was in Enfield, heading away from the power station, I decided to depart across Sewardstone Marsh. Why exit the dull way when you can cross the Lea and walk through a minor Essex village? The riverside path passed nosey ponies and a pumping station and crossed three...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 16-17 September 2023
Comedy, podcasts, fashion exhibitions, Open House and the Great River Race.
a year ago
Comedy, podcasts, fashion exhibitions, Open House and the Great River Race.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Spring Vacation at This Historic Arizona Hotel
9 months ago
Londonist
Where To Watch Fireworks On Bonfire Night In London 2023
Mark Guy Fawkes Night with a bang.
a year ago
Mark Guy Fawkes Night with a bang.
Cheese and Biscuits
Manifest, Liverpool
Some restaurants just make it all look so easy. From the moment you walk into the room to the moment...
a year ago
Some restaurants just make it all look so easy. From the moment you walk into the room to the moment you pay up and leave, everything about the experience at Manifest is just so effortlessly polished, professional and enjoyable, and pitched at such reasonable prices, that it's...
Londonist
Things To Do This Week In London: 6-12 November 2023
Diwali celebrations, new karting and curling venues, and the Lord Mayor's Show.
a year ago
Diwali celebrations, new karting and curling venues, and the Lord Mayor's Show.
Londonist
London New Year's Day Parade 2024: A Guide
Route, timings and where to watch the 1 January shindig.
a year ago
Route, timings and where to watch the 1 January shindig.
The Forney Flyer
Life Under Lockdown in Uganda
Hey folks. Several of you have been asking how things are going for us over here in Uganda,...
over a year ago
Hey folks. Several of you have been asking how things are going for us over here in Uganda, considering how disruptive the Covid-19 stuff has been worldwide. Well, since my previous blog post (on March 24th) Uganda has basically gone under a virtual lockdown. I took these two...
diamond geezer
Stephens House and Gardens
Some of London's best small parks were once a rich man's garden.
It's called Stephens House and...
a year ago
Some of London's best small parks were once a rich man's garden.
It's called Stephens House and Gardens and it covers a dozen acres off East End Road, not far from Finchley central station. If what you need is a kickabout space and somewhere to exercise a big dog it's not for...
Londonist
15 Delightful Day Trips From London: November 2023
Charming events within easy reach of London.
a year ago
Charming events within easy reach of London.
Londonist
Ice Hockey In London: Who Are The Teams, Where To Watch And When's It On?
Puck up your ideas.
a year ago
Cheese and Biscuits
The Pelican, Notting Hill
While I think the Top 50 Gastropub list is largely great, every year when it's announced there is...
a year ago
While I think the Top 50 Gastropub list is largely great, every year when it's announced there is the same grumbling about how some of the nominated places are best described as 'restaurants that operate out of a pub building' than pubs. I have long argued that to be considered...
Londonist
London Overground Strikes Announced For February And March
Plan ahead if you use the Ginger Line.
10 months ago
Plan ahead if you use the Ginger Line.
Spoon & Tamago
Hida Takayama Distillery is Making Whiskey in an Abandoned School, Aging it in a Local Dam
Takane Elementary School and Takane No.2 Dam | images courtesy Hida Takayama A key strategy to...
a year ago
Takane Elementary School and Takane No.2 Dam | images courtesy Hida Takayama A key strategy to reducing our environmental impact involves integrating principles of a circular economy that prioritizes reuse, recovery, and refurbishment of existing infrastructure and resources. The...
diamond geezer
Three 15-minute posts
Here are the other three submissions to my "Write A Post in 15 minutes" challenge. They have more of...
4 months ago
Here are the other three submissions to my "Write A Post in 15 minutes" challenge. They have more of an out and about theme. The first is from Peter who lives in south Devon, not actually in Honiton but fairly close. The second is from Lorenzo and was originally laid out with ten...
Londonist
"Every Year We Do A Free Christmas Day Dinner At Our Wimbledon Pub, For People On Their Own"
Almost 200 people come to the Alex on 25 Dec.
a year ago
Almost 200 people come to the Alex on 25 Dec.
Londonist
London's St Patrick's Day Parade And Festival 2024: When, Where And How To Get Involved
Dust off your shamrock sunglasses and head for Trafalgar Square this March.
10 months ago
Dust off your shamrock sunglasses and head for Trafalgar Square this March.
The Forney Flyer
And Here We Go Trying Yet Again...
There are so many good reasons/excuses I could give you as to why I did just one blog post last...
over a year ago
There are so many good reasons/excuses I could give you as to why I did just one blog post last June, with indications that I would start consistently blogging again, and then I disappeared... again. I could tell you that life has been super crazy busy, and that by...
Londonist
Superloop Gets A Bit Loopier With SL5 Bromley To Croydon Bus
New fast service for south London.
10 months ago
New fast service for south London.
diamond geezer
The City Wall at Vine Street
Other Vine Streets are available.
The City Wall at Vine Street
Location: Vine Street, EC3N 2HT...
5 months ago
Other Vine Streets are available.
The City Wall at Vine Street
Location: Vine Street, EC3N 2HT [map]
Open: 9am - 6pm (bank holidays excepted)
Admission: free
Seven word summary: a very old wall and some rubbish
Website: citywallvinestreet.org
Time to set aside: half an hour
The...
Londonist
At The Smithfield Memorial To Scottish Hero William Wallace
Still receiving flowers over 700 years on.
a year ago
Still receiving flowers over 700 years on.
diamond geezer
Poet in residence
A unique opportunity has arisen for creative narration,
the post of poet in residence,
five...
9 months ago
A unique opportunity has arisen for creative narration,
the post of poet in residence,
five maintained by them:
apply,
Tower Bridge
London Bridge
Since medieval masons built a stone span with central chapel,
Since pilgrims passed through in reverent migration,
Since...
Londonist
Black History Month Events In London 2023
Walks, talks, markets and music legends.
a year ago
Walks, talks, markets and music legends.
Londonist
Ayyy! The Fonz Is Coming To London In June
Happy days.
9 months ago
Londonist
Things To Do In The Borough Of Bexley
Sound baths, Pre-Raphaelites and a gorgeous sewage pumping station.
9 months ago
Sound baths, Pre-Raphaelites and a gorgeous sewage pumping station.
Londonist
David Hockney Makes A Splash With His Battersea Power Station Christmas Trees
You can see them every night till Christmas Day.
a year ago
You can see them every night till Christmas Day.
Londonist
Where To Go Pumpkin Picking Near London This Autumn
Oh. My. GOURD.
a year ago
Cheese and Biscuits
Peckham Cellars, Peckham
Though it's always flattering to be invited to try the latest and greatest of London restaurants,...
over a year ago
Though it's always flattering to be invited to try the latest and greatest of London restaurants, and more often than not I'm happy to play a part in the tricky first few weeks of a new operation to help get it off the ground, or to refocus attention on an established place...
Londonist
Metro Memory: The Addictive Tube Game You're Going To Be Playing All Week
"Just five more minutes..."
a year ago
"Just five more minutes..."
AFAR Media - Travel...
The Biltmore Arizona: an Iconic Southwest Resort
5 months ago
Cheese and Biscuits
Bossa, Marylebone
I don't know whether it's by design or sheer accident that Bossa, a brand new Brazilian restaurant...
a year ago
I don't know whether it's by design or sheer accident that Bossa, a brand new Brazilian restaurant from chef Alberto Landgraf, has landed right next door to the Brazilian embassy. But it felt very appropriate walking under a giant Brazilian flag up to the front steps of Bossa -...
The Forney Flyer
Rib Day - 2 Year Anniversary Celebration!
Two years ago, on October 17th, this happened...
Long story short, I got knocked off my...
over a year ago
Two years ago, on October 17th, this happened...
Long story short, I got knocked off my motorcycle by a drunk driver, and then a different vehicle, a large Toyota Landcruiser (SUV) promptly drove over me, right across my torso. I should have died right then and there, and...
Londonist
Around London In 14 Lions And Lionesses
One to paw over.
a year ago
Londonist
Things To Do In London This Autumn
Your September to November 2023 calendar, sorted.
a year ago
Your September to November 2023 calendar, sorted.
diamond geezer
The Star Beast
#10005 ✅ Observations
The Star Beast, the return of David Tennant as Doctor Who in the 60th...
a year ago
#10005 ✅ Observations
The Star Beast, the return of David Tennant as Doctor Who in the 60th anniversary special. It did the traditional thing and plonked an alien spaceship in the middle of London, and it also did all sorts of untraditional things because the series always has,...
diamond geezer
Friday transport news
Friday transport news
n.b. London Reconnections does a longer list every Friday
Ian Visits does a...
10 months ago
Friday transport news
n.b. London Reconnections does a longer list every Friday
Ian Visits does a longer list every Friday
Raildate does a longer list every Friday
Overground news
recently restored, and it's one of the latter.
It's the original waiting room from 1872 which...
diamond geezer
Marylebone
MARYLEBONE
STATION
🚂
£200
London's Monopoly Streets
MARYLEBONE STATION
Group: British...
7 months ago
MARYLEBONE
STATION
🚂
£200
London's Monopoly Streets
MARYLEBONE STATION
Group: British Railways
Purchase price: £200
Rent: £25
Annual passengers: 10 million
Borough: Westminster
Postcode: NW1
that question, announcements on the Bakerloo line pronounce it MARR-le-bone.
A...
diamond geezer
Lessons learned
40 things I've learnt about sex over the last 40 years
1) Nothing ever prepares you for the first...
6 months ago
40 things I've learnt about sex over the last 40 years
1) Nothing ever prepares you for the first time...
2) ... not even the fact that the biology textbook always falls open at the same page
3) The first time is always a ghastly mistake (I'm extrapolating this from a single...
Spoon & Tamago
A Spoon & Tamago Guide to Ishikawa Prefecture
this post was sponsored by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau This travel guide originally...
11 months ago
this post was sponsored by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau This travel guide originally appeared in February 2023 and ever since Covid restrictions were lifted, Ishikawa prefecture has seen a steady climb in tourism. However, the tragic Noto Earthquake at the beginning of...
Londonist
Big Improvement In London's Roadside Pollution, Says Report
NO2 levels plummet, but more to be done.
9 months ago
NO2 levels plummet, but more to be done.
diamond geezer
London's cheapest visitor attraction
Visiting attractions in Greenwich keeps getting inexorably more expensive. And not just because...
8 months ago
Visiting attractions in Greenwich keeps getting inexorably more expensive. And not just because admission prices have increased but because buildings that used to be free to enter started charging money.
Royal Greenwich Observatory had free admission between 2001 and 2011, then...
Londonist
Victorian Society "Very, Very Sad" About Development Around Turkish Bathhouse
City of London Corporation has green-lit Landsec's £500m plan.
a year ago
City of London Corporation has green-lit Landsec's £500m plan.
AFAR Media - Travel...
The Best Outdoor Locations in Toronto, Canada
7 months ago
diamond geezer
McDonald's in Woolwich at 50
50 years ago today England's first McDonald's restaurant opened.
There's a brilliant plaque...
a month ago
50 years ago today England's first McDonald's restaurant opened.
There's a brilliant plaque outside.
The three signatories were big names in the American company - Robert Rhea, Fred Turner and Ray Kroc - but none of them turned up. Instead the ribbon was cut by the dynamic...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 14-20 August 2023
The best articles from the past week.
a year ago
The best articles from the past week.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Eco-Friendly Cruise Activities for Nature Lovers
6 months ago
diamond geezer
The circular tube map
Is there no limit to the number of tube map variants?
It prioritises the Circle line whose...
10 months ago
Is there no limit to the number of tube map variants?
It prioritises the Circle line whose traditional loop has been manipulated into a perfect circle, but it distorts the hell out of all the other tube lines. Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus are on opposite sides of the...
Londonist
Secretive Central London Cold War Tunnels Could Open As Visitor Attraction
Kingsway Telephone Exchange is said to have inspired Q Branch.
a year ago
Kingsway Telephone Exchange is said to have inspired Q Branch.
Londonist
Things To Do This August Bank Holiday Weekend In London: 26-28 August 2023
Carnival! Concerts! A food festival! Dog shows!
a year ago
Carnival! Concerts! A food festival! Dog shows!
diamond geezer
Replacing Overground signage
The renaming of the Overground lines draws closer, indeed should be taking place next month. The...
3 months ago
The renaming of the Overground lines draws closer, indeed should be taking place next month. The original intention was for the changeover to be in August in conjunction with a new tube map, but that's not happened so technically it's late. That said, an awful lot of signage on...
Londonist
The Must-See London Exhibitions To Look Forward To In 2024
A glance ahead to the capital's upcoming blockbuster exhibitions.
a year ago
A glance ahead to the capital's upcoming blockbuster exhibitions.
diamond geezer
Boston Tea Party 250
10 ways to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
It's exactly 250 years since...
a year ago
10 ways to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
It's exactly 250 years since tax-averse demonstrators boarded ships in Boston Harbour and hurled chests of tea into the water, triggering a snowball of protest which led inexorably to the Declaration of...
diamond geezer
Borough visitor websites
Some London boroughs like to have a web presence that draws tourists in, should anyone be...
2 months ago
Some London boroughs like to have a web presence that draws tourists in, should anyone be interested, or highlights places of interest for the benefit of local residents. These websites attempt to reinforce the idea that a borough has history, or culture, or some sort of life,...
The Forney Flyer
Nineteen Years of Joy, and Counting!
Nineteen years ago today, I married my best friend, Joy.
One year later our first child was...
over a year ago
Nineteen years ago today, I married my best friend, Joy.
One year later our first child was born...
... and well before his first birthday, we were commissioned by our church to head to the mission field. That was 17 years ago, and we've spent the vast majority of our...
Spoon & Tamago
Wakuni Cafe: New Tokyo Cafe Made from 700 Bronze Plates Salvaged from Hayatani Shrine
the wakuni cafe, which opens January 19, 2024, is inside a 50-year old renovated building Opening in...
11 months ago
the wakuni cafe, which opens January 19, 2024, is inside a 50-year old renovated building Opening in the Tokyo neighborhood of Higashimurayama this month is Wakuni Cafe, a new destination that embodies history, craftsmanship and a spirit of reusing old materials. The exterior of...
diamond geezer
London's triple points
There are six points around the Greater London boundary where three counties...
a year ago
There are six points around the Greater London boundary where three counties meet.
London/Kent/Surrey
Specifically: Biggin Hill/Westerham/Tatsfield
Location: Rag Hill
To get here take a walk along the quiet twisty country lane that wends between Tatsfield Green and the...
Londonist
What's Open In London On Christmas Day 2023?
Cafes, pubs and tourist attractions open on 25 December.
a year ago
Cafes, pubs and tourist attractions open on 25 December.
Londonist
45+ Fantastic Things To Do In London This Month: November 2023
Vintage cars, new exhibitions and the all-important Christmas light switch-ons.
a year ago
Vintage cars, new exhibitions and the all-important Christmas light switch-ons.
Londonist
"Wretched, Frightful, Monstrous" - How London's Iconic Landmarks Were First Reviewed
Inc. some serious shade thrown on Tower Bridge.
8 months ago
Inc. some serious shade thrown on Tower Bridge.
Londonist
Around London In 10 Foxes
Including the one who got up the Shard.
9 months ago
Including the one who got up the Shard.
Londonist
Take A Peek Inside The Royal Albert Hall's New Archive Collection
From Queen Victoria to Beyonce, this place has seen them all.
a year ago
From Queen Victoria to Beyonce, this place has seen them all.
Londonist
Events For Book Lovers In London This Winter
Christmas book fairs, winter book swaps and an exhibition on fantasy.
a year ago
Christmas book fairs, winter book swaps and an exhibition on fantasy.
Londonist
The Elysian Arcs: Giant Rainbows And Bubbles Appear Beneath Cheesegrater
Free installation bring colour to City.
9 months ago
Free installation bring colour to City.
diamond geezer
Where in London?
It's Where in London? time again.
You can see the photos individually here: NW NE SW...
7 months ago
It's Where in London? time again.
You can see the photos individually here: NW NE SW SE
Answers
NW: ???Vanbrough Crescent, Lime Tree Park, Northolt UB5-->
NE: Stansgate Road shops, Dagenham RM10
SW: Heatherlea Grove, The Hamptons, Worcester Park KT4
SE: The Beck, High Broom...
Londonist
The London Marathon 2024: A Complete Guide To Watching And Taking Part
When, where, who and how of London's biggest run.
8 months ago
When, where, who and how of London's biggest run.
Cheese and Biscuits
The Terrace, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
The Terrace restaurant in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight is situated not just handily near the ferry...
over a year ago
The Terrace restaurant in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight is situated not just handily near the ferry terminal, but literally on top of it, the outside dining area (or Terrace, if you will) regularly enveloped in shade as the giant Lymington ferry pulls alongside. This means that...
Londonist
Smithfield Market Christmas Meat Auction 2023: A Guide
Get your Xmas turkey on the cheap!
a year ago
Get your Xmas turkey on the cheap!
Londonist
Where To Watch The Rugby World Cup 2023 In London
Pubs and bars screening the action.
a year ago
Pubs and bars screening the action.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Hotel Review: Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, New York City
a year ago
Spoon & Tamago
The Watermelon Kimono is the Perfect Summer Outfit
Summer in Japan is not summer in Japan without festivals and watermelon. So if you’re looking to...
6 months ago
Summer in Japan is not summer in Japan without festivals and watermelon. So if you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe with some playful pieces that celebrate the season, as well as festival-appropriate outfits, look no further than the watermelon kimono – a juicy take on a...
Londonist
13 Autumnal Day Trips From London: October 2023
Charming events within easy reach of London.
a year ago
Charming events within easy reach of London.
diamond geezer
SL2
Route SL2: Walthamstow Central - North Woolwich Ferry
Length of journey: 12 miles, 60...
9 months ago
Route SL2: Walthamstow Central - North Woolwich Ferry
Length of journey: 12 miles, 60 minutes
Headline: The new express route that completes the loop.
Subtext: This time last year the Superloop hadn't even been announced. It now circles outer London.
Caveat: It's not a loop, the...
Spoon & Tamago
The New Simose Art Garden Villa: Where Art & Hospitality Meet at the Sea
All images © Simose Art Museum Stretching over an area of 4.6 hectares and situated alongside the...
a year ago
All images © Simose Art Museum Stretching over an area of 4.6 hectares and situated alongside the picturesque Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima is the Simose Art Garden Villa. Designed by architect Shigeru Ban (previously), the newly opened destination comprises ten villas, a...
Londonist
Cricket Cornish Pasty Anyone? London's Bug Restaurant Has Just Gone Permanent
Hop to it!
10 months ago
Cheese and Biscuits
Lima, Shoreditch
I don't usually like to do invited reviews back-to-back, so this was supposed to be a post about a...
a month ago
I don't usually like to do invited reviews back-to-back, so this was supposed to be a post about a lovely Catalonian restaurant called El Molí de L'Escala. El Molí serve a daily-changing menu of exciting and unusual local seafood (they had sea cucumber on the menu last week, and...
Londonist
Tiddles - The Fat Cat Of Paddington Station
He even had his own fridge.
10 months ago
He even had his own fridge.
The Forney Flyer
South Sudan Photo Archives
Here's some shots from South Sudan from the archives. These first three shots were taken just a few...
over a year ago
Here's some shots from South Sudan from the archives. These first three shots were taken just a few months ago, when I flew a Caravan load of medicines up to a remote health clinic in South Sudan. This is the only clinic that offers actual medicine and medical treatment in that...
One from Nippon
Emoji
Open your phone’s keyboard and go to the emojis.
Scroll past the same five emojis you’ve used for...
a year ago
Open your phone’s keyboard and go to the emojis.
Scroll past the same five emojis you’ve used for years and see what others exist. You will soon see 🍡 🈸 🍙 and other weird-looking pictures.
What the hell are these things, and why are they in
AFAR Media - Travel...
Upgrading to Lufthansa Allegris’ New Business Class
4 months ago
diamond geezer
Crewe
Gadabout: CREWE
Crewe is a large town in Cheshire and a key junction on the West Coast Main Line....
9 months ago
Gadabout: CREWE
Crewe is a large town in Cheshire and a key junction on the West Coast Main Line. It's only here because of the railway so has pretty much no history before that arrived, and the railway's only here because the nearby towns of Nantwich and Winsford turned the...
Londonist
The Absolute Worst Things You Can Say To A Londoner
"I bought my flat in the early 2000s for 150k."
a year ago
"I bought my flat in the early 2000s for 150k."
diamond geezer
Open House (3)
For Open House this weekend I visited twelve different and varied properties, ranging from...
3 months ago
For Open House this weekend I visited twelve different and varied properties, ranging from underwhelm to amazeballs. I'll save the wow until later but here are brief reports on the others, hopefully as testament that exploring otherwise inaccessible spaces is an opportunity not...
diamond geezer
Football pre-season update
Football pre-season update
Olympic Men's Football, as of three minutes ago, it's time to look...
4 months ago
Football pre-season update
Olympic Men's Football, as of three minutes ago, it's time to look forward 11 minutes to the start of the new football season.
Championship at 8pm tonight with a pair of opening matches, one between title contenders Blackburn Rovers and title...
The Forney Flyer
Flood Relief Flying
You may remember that I mentioned in a previous blog post a few weeks ago, that there had been...
over a year ago
You may remember that I mentioned in a previous blog post a few weeks ago, that there had been severe floods in Western Uganda (and other parts of the country) in early-mid May. Well, several weeks later, we were given special permission by various authorities to fly relief...
Londonist
V&A East - Brand New Museum Opening In 2025 Announces Its First Exhibition
The Music Is Black: A British Story will get the ball rolling.
a year ago
The Music Is Black: A British Story will get the ball rolling.
diamond geezer
Walking on Canada Water
It's now quicker to walk from Canada Water station to the big Tesco. This is because British Land...
a month ago
It's now quicker to walk from Canada Water station to the big Tesco. This is because British Land are trying to sell flats.
swooshy timber boardwalk has just opened and it's red. Very red.
It starts from the dock edge by the library and ends at the far end of what used to be...
diamond geezer
September events diary 2024
It's almost September again but never fear, London's putting on a last flurry of events, activities...
3 months ago
It's almost September again but never fear, London's putting on a last flurry of events, activities and happenings before the nights draw in and we're all invited. Here's my weekend-by-weekend guide to free September delights.
All month
Totally Thames (Sep 1-30): Once again a...
Londonist
Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year And Chinese New Year 2024 In London
Events and celebrations to welcome 2024's Year of the Dragon.
11 months ago
Events and celebrations to welcome 2024's Year of the Dragon.
diamond geezer
Unblogged 1984
30 unblogged things I did in April 1984
They didn't have blogs or the internet forty years ago,...
8 months ago
30 unblogged things I did in April 1984
They didn't have blogs or the internet forty years ago, indeed my Sinclair ZX81 wasn't capable of much, but here are 30 things I didn't digitally publish at the time. To help you get your bearings I was 19 and most of this is the Easter...
diamond geezer
Advent Way
'Tis the season.
Advent Way N18
A country lane called Angel Road once headed east out of...
3 weeks ago
'Tis the season.
Advent Way N18
A country lane called Angel Road once headed east out of Edmonton following Pymme's Brook, ending at a sylvan bridge across the River Lea where anglers often gathered. Then in the 1920s the North Circular Road was built, the engineers choosing...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 26 February-3 March 2024
Our top stories from the last seven days.
9 months ago
Our top stories from the last seven days.
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 13-19 November 2023
The very best of Londonist from the past week.
a year ago
The very best of Londonist from the past week.
Londonist
A Bald Man Chooses His Favourite Bald Spots In London
The O2, the huge Hitchcock head - which is your fave?
9 months ago
The O2, the huge Hitchcock head - which is your fave?
Spoon & Tamago
Osaka Celebrates Star Festival with River of 40,000 LED Lights Evoking the Milky Way
The Okawa River, which runs through central Osaka, was lit up on Friday with 40,000 LED lights...
a year ago
The Okawa River, which runs through central Osaka, was lit up on Friday with 40,000 LED lights floating down the river as they evoked the celestial milky way. The surreal scene was part of a celebration of Tanabata, or the Star Festival, which is a major summer festival in Japan...
Spoon & Tamago
The 2023 Spoon & Tamago Gift Guide
2023 felt like a turning point for Japan. After several years of covid-induced seclusion, tourism...
a year ago
2023 felt like a turning point for Japan. After several years of covid-induced seclusion, tourism rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. And although just anecdotal, so many people we spoke to who previously had no connection to Japan, were planning trips and honeymoons that it truly...
Londonist
Rumble In The Jungle Rematch Arrives In London
Take your place ringside in this limited-run immersive show.
a year ago
Take your place ringside in this limited-run immersive show.
Londonist
Where On The Tube Can You See A WWII Gun Emplacement?
A defensive relic on the District line.
a year ago
A defensive relic on the District line.
Londonist
Take A Tour Of The Magnificent Palace Of Westminster This Autumn
Ahead of the State Opening in November.
a year ago
Ahead of the State Opening in November.
Londonist
Things To Do In London On Christmas Day
Guided tours, river trips and Christmas lunch.
a year ago
Guided tours, river trips and Christmas lunch.
diamond geezer
TfL FoI requests in April 2024
20 things we learned from TfL FoI requests in April 2024
1) The annual operating cost for the...
7 months ago
20 things we learned from TfL FoI requests in April 2024
1) The annual operating cost for the Woolwich Ferry is £8.9 million.
2) In 2021 there were 305km of bus lanes in London, up from 293km in 2011.
3) Tfl spent £282,945.43 advertising this year's Fares Freeze on posters, in...
Londonist
Get A First Look At The New King Charles Banknotes At This New Exhibition
Find out what the future of money will be.
11 months ago
Find out what the future of money will be.
Londonist
Festive Film Screenings: Where To Watch Christmas Movies In London This Year
Pop-up cinemas in palaces, rooftops and big tops.
a year ago
Pop-up cinemas in palaces, rooftops and big tops.
Londonist
Nostalgic For The Elephant And Castle Underpass? You Will Be After Watching This Maccabees Video
The ending almost had us weeping...
a year ago
The ending almost had us weeping...
Londonist
London's Best Private Party Venues For Smaller Groups
'Tis almost the season.
a year ago
diamond geezer
England's 100 largest towns
One reason I went to Redditch is that it's one of England's largest towns and I'm trying to turn...
3 months ago
One reason I went to Redditch is that it's one of England's largest towns and I'm trying to turn this list blue. Admittedly it's only number 98, but every blogpost counts.
England's 100 largest towns and cities by population
1-10: London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol,...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 20-26 November 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
diamond geezer
Stafford
Gadabout: STAFFORD
Stafford is a West Midlands market town at the heart of its own county, located...
9 months ago
Gadabout: STAFFORD
Stafford is a West Midlands market town at the heart of its own county, located halfway between Crewe and Birmingham. It may be the same size as Crewe but it's over a millennium older, has much better shops and boasts a castle and some nice old buildings. It's...
Londonist
12 Marvellous Day Trips From London: September 2023
Charming events within easy reach of London.
a year ago
Charming events within easy reach of London.
diamond geezer
Why are hire bikes dumped everywhere?
♦ geezr/london 6h
George43Penge
Why are hire bikes dumped everywhere? it makes me so mad
⬆423 ...
5 months ago
♦ geezr/london 6h
George43Penge
Why are hire bikes dumped everywhere? it makes me so mad
⬆423 💬25
✨ penryjan 6h
⭐ obmit 5h
⌚ monkeytennis 4h
⌛ Bimbles 3h
☔ McSpatula 42m
♋ zxcvbnm12 5h
⛽ Greggers 4h
☕ wingnutz 4h
⛲ Ecosoldier 4h
⛔ clarxon 2h
❌ ProudMick 1h
⛵...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 20-26 November 2023
All our best articles from the past week.
a year ago
All our best articles from the past week.
Spoon & Tamago
Gaku Yamazaki has Documented Thousands of Unusual Road Signs Across Japan
all images courtesy Gaku Yamazaki Gaku Yamazaki, a 21-year old college senior, spends his spare time...
a year ago
all images courtesy Gaku Yamazaki Gaku Yamazaki, a 21-year old college senior, spends his spare time traversing Japan in search of what he has dubbed ikei-yajirushi, or ‘unusual arrows.’ There are thousands of these abnormal road signs dotted across Japan and while drivers might...
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 14-15 October 2023
A rum festival, a new fashion exhibition, Cocktail Week and more.
a year ago
A rum festival, a new fashion exhibition, Cocktail Week and more.
Spoon & Tamago
Not a Hotel: A Unique Timeshare Concept Redefining Luxury Travel
All images © Kenta Hasegawa courtesy Suppose Design Office “Buy a vacation home that doubles as a...
a year ago
All images © Kenta Hasegawa courtesy Suppose Design Office “Buy a vacation home that doubles as a hotel.” That’s the tagline for ‘Not A Hotel,’ a real estate start-up founded by Shinji Hamazu. The company challenges the traditional hotel model by treating it as a timeshare and...
Londonist
45+ Action-Packed Things To Do In London In April 2024
The best events in London this month.
9 months ago
The best events in London this month.
diamond geezer
10 times TV crews came to Croxley Green
10 times that TV crews came to Croxley Green
1) Metro-land (1973): In this iconic one-off...
6 months ago
10 times that TV crews came to Croxley Green
1) Metro-land (1973): In this iconic one-off documentary Sir John Betjeman came to observe the Croxley Revels, "a tradition that stretches back to 1952". Actually if you watch carefully he's never in shot, he merely provided a...
Londonist
Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 4-10 December 2023
Things to do for under a fiver.
a year ago
Things to do for under a fiver.
Londonist
Review: Blockbuster Disney Exhibition Digs Deep To Deliver The Magic
Fans will love this centenary show.
a year ago
Fans will love this centenary show.
Londonist
Warm Your Cockles At London's Best Winter Drinks Pop-Ups And Cosy Bars
Igloos, rooftops, ski lodges and trains.
a year ago
Igloos, rooftops, ski lodges and trains.
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 30-31 December 2023
The best ways to spend the last weekend of 2023 in the capital.
12 months ago
The best ways to spend the last weekend of 2023 in the capital.
AFAR Media - Travel...
Tips for Exploring L.A.'s Northern Shopping Districts
2 months ago
Spoon & Tamago
Whale Butter Dish Designed by Akira Yoshimura
This whimsical butter dish is sure to bring a sea of change to your kitchen. Designed by Akira...
a year ago
This whimsical butter dish is sure to bring a sea of change to your kitchen. Designed by Akira Yoshimura (previously) and lovingly produced by the metal artisans of Takaoka-based Sanomasa, the Whale Butter Dish is made in the likeness of a whale that has swallowed a stick of...
diamond geezer
Houlton
Approaching Rugby by train 20 years ago, what you'd have noticed out of the window was a vast array...
10 months ago
Approaching Rugby by train 20 years ago, what you'd have noticed out of the window was a vast array of very tall masts clustered across the fields to one side. They were even more prominent from the A5 on the far side of the site, equally visible from the M1 and perhaps best seen...
diamond geezer
Marlborough Street
MARLBOROUGH
STREET
£160
London's Monopoly Streets
MARLBOROUGH STREET
Colour group:...
6 months ago
MARLBOROUGH
STREET
£160
London's Monopoly Streets
MARLBOROUGH STREET
Colour group: orange
Purchase price: £180
Rent: £14
Length: 300m
Borough: Westminster
Postcode: W1
Great Marlborough Street. To understand why, remember that the orange set of properties were originally all...
Londonist
Fundraising Events In London For Medical And Humanitarian Aid In Gaza
Some ways to support emergency response efforts.
a year ago
Some ways to support emergency response efforts.
diamond geezer
Planned closures
An extraordinary number of Underground lines are closed this morning.
By my calculations that's...
a year ago
An extraordinary number of Underground lines are closed this morning.
By my calculations that's 67 stations with no train service of any kind, or 25% of the entire tube network. What's more only 23 of these are getting a replacement bus service. Residents of Stanmore, Turnham...
Londonist
Best Of Londonist: 2-8 October 2023
The best articles from the past week.
a year ago
The best articles from the past week.
diamond geezer
Unblogged October
31 unblogged things I did in October
Tue 1: Two new developments in Barking & Dagenham are...
a month ago
31 unblogged things I did in October
Tue 1: Two new developments in Barking & Dagenham are over-egging transport links in their roadside marketing. Barking Riverside says 'Perfectly connected' when the reality is a half-hourly boat, a train to Barking or non-express buses....
diamond geezer
Unblogged September
30 unblogged things I did in September
Sun 1: My new laptop is on quite the sightseeing tour....
2 months ago
30 unblogged things I did in September
Sun 1: My new laptop is on quite the sightseeing tour. Yesterday it was in Shanghai, today it's in Köln and tomorrow it'll be in Stanford le Hope.
Mon 2: At Gipsy Hill station I spotted a cat on the Oyster reader, and quite frankly this...
diamond geezer
Euston Road
EUSTON
ROAD
£100
London's Monopoly Streets
EUSTON ROAD
Colour group: light blue
Purchase price:...
9 months ago
EUSTON
ROAD
£100
London's Monopoly Streets
EUSTON ROAD
Colour group: light blue
Purchase price: £100
Rent: £6
Length: 1 mile
Borough: Camden
Postcode: NW1
Euston Road is the broadest, busiest, most polluted street on the Monopoly board, so hardly somewhere you'd want to...
Londonist
Explore Love In The Animal Kingdom After-Hours At The Natural History Museum
A special Valentine's Day celebration.
10 months ago
A special Valentine's Day celebration.
Londonist
Where To Volunteer In London At Christmas 2023
Make someone else's Christmas special.
a year ago
Make someone else's Christmas special.
Spoon & Tamago
Photographer Meticulously Recreates Images of Chickens Painted by Edo-Era Artist Ito Jakuchu
Edo-era painter Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) excelled at capturing the flora and fauna of the natural...
6 months ago
Edo-era painter Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) excelled at capturing the flora and fauna of the natural world, a skill that extended to remarkable depictions of birds. In particular, chickens were a common theme for the artist and it was said that Jakuchu owned many of them, and allowed...
diamond geezer
DGD at 85
My Dad is 85 years old today, which is damned good going.
Thu 20th October 1938 (0): A first child...
a year ago
My Dad is 85 years old today, which is damned good going.
Thu 20th October 1938 (0): A first child is born to my grandparents. Home is a new-ish semi-detached house backing onto the canal. Born on the same day - long jumper Fred Alsop and singer Kathy Kirby.
Wed 20th October...
Spoon & Tamago
All 54 Playing Cards Reinterpreted Through Still Life Photography by Yuni Yoshida
Flower petals, leaves, foods and other objects have all been meticulously arranged and then...
a year ago
Flower petals, leaves, foods and other objects have all been meticulously arranged and then photographed to create a set of 54 playing cards, including 2 jokers. It’s the latest work by art director Yuni Yoshida (previously), who’s penchant for analog techniques that shun digital...
diamond geezer
I've been to see some art
I've been to see some art.
Art West: Serpentine Gallery
Many's the time I've traipsed to the...
6 months ago
I've been to see some art.
Art West: Serpentine Gallery
Many's the time I've traipsed to the middle of Kensington Gardens only to be underwhelmed. Thankfully this time it was well worth the effort.
Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States (until 1 September)
Yinka did the...
Londonist
Dazzling Light Festivals To See In London: Winter 2023
Light tunnels, fire gardens and lasers.
a year ago
Light tunnels, fire gardens and lasers.
Londonist
Ramadan And Eid Events In London 2024
Illuminations, shopping festivals and Eid celebrations.
10 months ago
Illuminations, shopping festivals and Eid celebrations.
diamond geezer
The Wrythe
Today we're off to the only south London suburb that starts with The, namely The Wrythe which is a...
7 months ago
Today we're off to the only south London suburb that starts with The, namely The Wrythe which is a significant part of Sutton. Essentially it's North Carshalton but has had a separate identity since medieval times, actual residents since Victorian times and today forms a...
diamond geezer
Mary Place and Joseph Avenue
At this time of year I like to blog about a festively-named London street, however mundane it might...
a year ago
At this time of year I like to blog about a festively-named London street, however mundane it might be. In the past I've taken you to Noel Street, Noel Square, three Noel Roads, Noel Park Road, Turkey Street, Christmas Street, Yuletide Close, Shepherds Hill, Angel Road, Stables...
Spoon & Tamago
Intricate and Organic Sculptures by Ceramicist Eriko Inazaki
These white and intricate forms appear to be the work of mother nature, sculpted over hundreds and...
a year ago
These white and intricate forms appear to be the work of mother nature, sculpted over hundreds and thousands of years. Instead, they’re the work of Japanese ceramicist Eriko Inazaki, who painstakingly shapes and assembles each prick and piece by hand. And in doing so, she’s...
diamond geezer
The Vyne
NATIONAL TRUST: The Vyne
Location: Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL [map]
Open: 10am-5pm...
5 months ago
NATIONAL TRUST: The Vyne
Location: Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL [map]
Open: 10am-5pm (House open 11am-3pm)
Admission: £15.00
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/hampshire/the-vyne
Four word summary: slimmed-down Tudor pile
Time to allow: a couple of hours
The Vyne to show...
Cheese and Biscuits
Jacuzzi, Kensington
If you've been to Gloria, or Circo Popular, or Ave Mario, you'll know the drill by now. Big Mamma...
a year ago
If you've been to Gloria, or Circo Popular, or Ave Mario, you'll know the drill by now. Big Mamma group restaurants are ludicrous, overblown chintz-fests where decent if overpriced food plays second fiddle to people watching and celeb-spotting. And don't get me wrong, there's...
diamond geezer
Hyperlocal History Month
August is often Local History Month on diamond geezer. I thought this year I might go hyperlocal and...
4 months ago
August is often Local History Month on diamond geezer. I thought this year I might go hyperlocal and bring you historical details of objects and places particularly close to home. We'll see how it goes.
HYPERLOCAL HISTORY MONTH: My fridge
My fridge is four years old, having...
diamond geezer
The Charterhouse
I hadn't realised you could wander inside The Charterhouse, the historic almshouses on the edge of...
9 months ago
I hadn't realised you could wander inside The Charterhouse, the historic almshouses on the edge of Smithfield, probably because I hadn't been paying sufficient attention. I knew it had been restored a few years ago and I knew they did paid-for tours but I thought that was it, you...
Londonist
See A Flock Of 50 Sheep Herded Over Southwark Bridge This September
By a celebrity.
a year ago
Londonist
Week Of January Tube Strikes Set To Cause Severe Disruption
Happy New Year!
11 months ago
Londonist
New Exhibition Explores How William Shakespeare Shaped Britain’s Experience Of War
From the English Civil War to the present day.
a year ago
From the English Civil War to the present day.
Londonist
Miracle At Henrietta: The Christmassiest Bar In London
It's Kiiiiiiiitschmas!
a year ago
Londonist
There's A Place Called Bovril Castle In South London
And there was once a second one, too.
10 months ago
And there was once a second one, too.
Londonist
Tulips In London: When And Where To See Them In And Around The Capital
Who needs Amsterdam?
9 months ago
diamond geezer
Stratford station has a new entrance
Stratford station has a new entrance.
Gibbins Road entrance and for most passengers it's of no use...
5 months ago
Stratford station has a new entrance.
Gibbins Road entrance and for most passengers it's of no use whatsoever.
Stratford station has a new entrance.
by the end of March but it didn't. It was due to open in May but it didn't. It's looked finished for ages but it clearly wasn't...
AFAR Media - Travel...
9 Must-Visit Religious UNESCO Sites in Germany
7 months ago
diamond geezer
#generalelection w/e 23/05/24
10 things that happened this week #generalelection
Data 2019 → 2024
Interest rates: 0.75% →...
7 months ago
10 things that happened this week #generalelection
Data 2019 → 2024
Interest rates: 0.75% → 5.25%
Inflation: 1.3% → 2.3% (via 11.1%)
Energy cap: £1179 → £1690 (via £4059)
Unemployment: 3.8% → 4.3%
Covid deaths: 0 → 230,000
FTSE: 7353 → 8367 (up 14%)
Opinion polls: 11% CON lead →...
Spoon & Tamago
Discarded Tatami Mats are Reborn as Contemporary Furniture
Tatami mats are traditional Japanese flooring made from sewn-together igusa grass. But despite their...
a year ago
Tatami mats are traditional Japanese flooring made from sewn-together igusa grass. But despite their lovely aroma and natural resistance to mold, their usage has consistently declined as modern consumers opt for more contemporary living choices. The Tatami ReFab Project is an...
Londonist
Festive Shows, Winter Cocktails, And Gifts Galore At The Barbican
So much seasonal cheer to unwrap.
a year ago
So much seasonal cheer to unwrap.
Londonist
Walking With The Snowman: Free Art Trail Comes To Fleet Street This Christmas
We're walking in the aaaiiiiiiir.
a year ago
We're walking in the aaaiiiiiiir.
Spoon & Tamago
Hyper Realistic Pencil Drawings of Metallic Objects by Kohei Ohmori
Something must have come over me, says Kohei Ohmori, reflecting on the 280 hours or roughly 5 months...
5 months ago
Something must have come over me, says Kohei Ohmori, reflecting on the 280 hours or roughly 5 months spent drawing a hyper realistic composition of a metallic bolt and nut using just pencils. The 30-year old artist, who has publicly discussed his struggles with OCD (obsessive...
AFAR Media - Travel...
New Resy Promo Will Give You $99 Off at These Restaurants
a year ago
Londonist
Denmark Street: The Musical History Of London's "Tin Pan Alley"
We interview author Peter Watts about his new book.
a year ago
We interview author Peter Watts about his new book.
Cheese and Biscuits
Bouchon Racine, Farringdon
Such is the cyclical nature of these things, trends in food or clothing or plenty of other areas...
a year ago
Such is the cyclical nature of these things, trends in food or clothing or plenty of other areas besides will, given long enough, find themselves fading in and out of favour. There was a time, within living memory, when French cuisine was considered the gold standard of...
diamond geezer
Slowing the Bow Roundabout
(this is the last post written on my old laptop)
temporary timetables on bus routes 25, 205, 276,...
3 months ago
(this is the last post written on my old laptop)
temporary timetables on bus routes 25, 205, 276, 277 and 425 "to help with reliability during roadworks at the Bow Roundabout and displacement of traffic onto local roads". For example buses on route 25 usually run every 7-8...
Londonist
Epping Ongar Lights Express - The Fairy Light-Covered Christmas Steam Train Ride Is Back!
Most festive train EVER.
a year ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
Top Local Spots to Eat, Shop, & Après Ski in Park City, Utah
3 days ago
Londonist
Martin Luther King Gets A London Blue Plaque
The activist visited Bloomsbury in 1961.
11 months ago
The activist visited Bloomsbury in 1961.
Londonist
Tips For Australians In London - From An Australian In London
Zoë Coombs Marr advises.
a year ago
Londonist
London's Cosiest Hotels
Because baby it's cold outside.
a year ago
Because baby it's cold outside.
Londonist
The Big Issue Seller Outside St Paul's Who Became An Icon Of The Occupy Protests
A very different Christmas play for you to watch this festive season.
a year ago
A very different Christmas play for you to watch this festive season.
Londonist
Christmas Transport In London: What's Running, What's Closed, And What About Those Strikes?
Fingers crossed we have a strike-free festive period...
a year ago
Fingers crossed we have a strike-free festive period...
Londonist
Expect To Hear Lots More Buskers In Tube Stations Over The Next 2 Weeks
It's the X Factor of the London Underground.
9 months ago
It's the X Factor of the London Underground.
Londonist
Things To Do This Weekend In London: 9-10 March 2024
Live comedy, an artisan market, Disney events and more.
9 months ago
Live comedy, an artisan market, Disney events and more.
Londonist
David Attenborough Waxwork Comes To Madame Tussauds
It's the second time he's been honoured here.
a year ago
It's the second time he's been honoured here.
Londonist
"There's A Mullet For Everyone" - How The Marmite Hairstyle Conquered Queer, Creative London
What gave rise to the mullet in London's hippest circles?
10 months ago
What gave rise to the mullet in London's hippest circles?
Londonist
A Bonkers Alt Tube Map Feat. Clockwork Trains And A Sedan Chair Replacement Service
Zones 8 to 9 are WILD.
a year ago
AFAR Media - Travel...
A Myrtle Beach Travel Guide for Travelers with Disabilities
3 months ago
Spoon & Tamago
Discover Fukui Sake Along the Kuzuryu River at Eshikoto
all images courtesy Furuya Design Eshikoto is a brand created by Nizaemon Ishidaya, proprietor of...
a year ago
all images courtesy Furuya Design Eshikoto is a brand created by Nizaemon Ishidaya, proprietor of the Kokuryu Sake Brewery which was founded in 1804 in the mountains of Fukui. With a motto not dissimilar to the famous quote from Field of Dreams–”if we make good sake, people will...
diamond geezer
It's official
Journalists working at various media portals are under increasing pressure to churn out more and...
2 months ago
Journalists working at various media portals are under increasing pressure to churn out more and more stories because the more they write the more page views they get. Clickbait isn't going away any time soon. But a trope that's sadly gathering more prominence lately is a...
Spoon & Tamago
Manga Artist Hirohiko Araki Pays Tribute to Osaka Station’s History and Culture with New Public Art...
Osaka Station just got a little more bizzare. Manga artist Hirohiko Araki, known best for his epic...
4 months ago
Osaka Station just got a little more bizzare. Manga artist Hirohiko Araki, known best for his epic saga Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, has installed his first-ever public art piece at Osaka Station’s West Gate. Titled “Fountain Boy,” the circular, back-lit sculpture pays homage to the...
diamond geezer
Strand
STRAND
£220
London's Monopoly Streets
STRAND
Colour group: red
Purchase price: £220
Rent:...
5 months ago
STRAND
£220
London's Monopoly Streets
STRAND
Colour group: red
Purchase price: £220
Rent: £18
Length: 1200m
Borough: Westminster
Postcode: WC2
Vine Street was ridiculously short and dull whereas this is long, historic and so packed with points of interest I could easily...
diamond geezer
Still hanging around
Yesterday was one of this blog's 20 busiest days, not because everyone's really interested in...
a year ago
Yesterday was one of this blog's 20 busiest days, not because everyone's really interested in National Trust properties but because an old post hit an international news aggregator. My post about Crossrail timewasting ended up on hckr news under the headline "25% of the 13 minute...
Londonist
Earth Hour 2024: London To Be Plunged Into Darkness Again
Switch the lights off for an hour, for the good of the planet.
9 months ago
Switch the lights off for an hour, for the good of the planet.
Londonist
The Curling Club Has Slid Into South Bank For A Winter-Long Après-Ski Party
Unleash your inner Winter Olympian.
a year ago
Unleash your inner Winter Olympian.