Saturday 30 November 2013

Thamesmead, Movies and Other Random Things

Thamesmead has an almost mythical quality to most Londoners - not in a good way.     It's been a location for various movies about dystopias, such as Clockwork Orange, and to be honest, nobody I personally know has ever been there.  Well, to put that right, in our bid to keep fit, we took a cycle round Thamesmead the other day and actually it has its good side. Lots of water, lots of parkland, amazing numbers of birds on the shores of the Thames, and many swans adding some charm to the vista of  grim blocks.

Most of Thamesmead has now been developed into modern normal houses, and among the plentiful wildlife there are also wild or semi wild horses. I think these are called skewbalds and are popular with gypsies, but there were loads of them, either roaming free like this very friendly one

Or wandering about the hilltops. These two looked like some kind of a futuristic camel in silhouette



Many of these good natured beasts were tethered near peoples homes. Strange looking things aren't they? They remind me of sheep.


And near this graffiti covered underpass someone had created a handy field with some very well cared for horses munching away on large bales of hay.   


Went to a couple of meetings. The one below was nothing to do with me, I kept someone company. A very enthusiastic speaker, but my eyes did glaze over a bit. .



Afterwards, we all went to the Fryer's Delight fish shop, favourite with cabbies and legal executives from the nearby Inn of Court in Holborn.  It's unchanged since at least 1970, probably before, and not for gourmets, but if you want trad fish and chips, this is a reliable place, all red and blue formica, well polished mirrors and newspaper cuttings of long forgotten famous people on the walls.


The next day I went to a cinema preview screening in the Soho Hotel,



The movie starred Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman and was called  THE RAILWAY MAN. It was about a survivor of the notorious Burma Railway.    To be honest, I had some criticism of it, but Jeremy Irvine gave a stellar performance and it's worth seeing for that alone.  The preview cinema was fun, with vast armchairs upholstered in different finished,  each with its own drinks tray


The Soho hotel was most interestingly interior-designed. At first I'd thought it might be Philippe Starck or even Jean-Paul Gaultier, but it turned out to be by Kit Kemp. She's certainly original.  Look at the curious lights in the bookshelves.



Words don't really describe the decor, and I liked it - but I feel it looked better in real life than it somehow does in photos. 




Then had a meal out with an old friend in Lemonia restaurant in Primrose Hill, one of the oldest restaurants in the area, and had some very good fish, served with head on in Greek style..  


We thought we might see Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth there, actually, since they're now filming Paddington Bear in Primrose Hill  We didn't, but I thought they must be getting to know each other well by now, even though it's quite a change from the horrors of the Burma Railway to what I consider to be the sheer suburban boringness of Paddington Bear. (Sorry if you are a fan).

I did some more of the children's writing project (do see the blog for a lovely poem on Happiness) 


and ate some cake wrecks from Greggs Bakery. I love the way their mouths are all where their ears should be, and the carrot noses are on sideways. 


I had another BBC meeting.
 It goes on and on. I've almost stopped wondering if our project will ever negotiate the labyrinth of the commissining procedure - I've never known anything like it.   But it is still alive, and the creative development process is interesting and stimulating and at least we now  have something really good, that SHOULD get made. (However, as my granny used to say, "if wishes were horses, beggars would ride").

Now I have to put the finishing touches to an article based on a brief and arty trip to Vienna, including the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Vienna Secession - the bottom picture is part of a small mural by ... well I suppose it must be by Klimt though I should have checked, shouldn't I?



I have a lot to do next week too though it should I hope be more relaxed.  I hope you have a good week too. 

45 comments:

  1. Heh, when we first came to this country, I had no idea about Thamesmead's reputation and so leased us a flat overlooking Birchmere lake (I think that was the name of the lake). It was gorgeous but the kids and gangs were pretty violent and openly menacing (I was told by one that my massive 35kg dog wouldn't protect me from them) so we weren't heartbroken to leave the place.

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  2. I took the complete read on Thamesmead in Wickipedia, then had a go at Skewbald. The little horses are feral? The old Thamesmead belonged in the new J.K. Rowling. I hope it is improving. The roaming horses still confuse me.

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  3. Wow! Okay, that signboard at the meeting makes it look like an instructional for "How To Be Really Humble".
    Those horses are NOT LIKE ANY HORSES I'VE EVER SEEN! Does science know about these creatures?
    I love the decor in the Soho Hotel. Beautiful!

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  4. I think it would be great walking into a theater and having all the chairs upholstered differently. Such a novel idea.

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  5. Mmmmm, Mandy, think the lack of public transport would put me off Thamesmead too. And that horrendous shopping centre. Have to say everyone we met was charming and polite, though. Maybe that aspect of it has changed a bit, or perhaps we were just lucky. Ms Moon, I had my suspicions about those horses too. Like I said, there is more than a bit of sheep about them. Joanne, I'm confused about the horses too. I mean, what do they do with them? I didn't see anyone riding them. T. thought they might be really inexpensive transport. Feed them on the roadside verges and they have zero running costs. A little slower than a car, maybe... Stephen, the downside of the chairs is that you felt decidedly isolated. Not the kind of cinema for canoodling, but I suppose that doesn't happen much at press previews. :)

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  6. I've never seen such a horse before, they are odd looking. And the song Stewball came up this week, and went by Skewball in Britain, a horse description new to me.

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  7. So much territory to cover in one blog post! The cakes look like they have a very wry smile at the thought of getting eaten! If i could keep a horse in my neighborhood, i'd want one like one of those.

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  8. One of the many aspects that I like about your blog is it's so informative. I always learn new things. I've never heard of Thamesmead or skewbalds. I'd actually like to own some skewbalds - - although I'm sure they'd seem a little out of place here in the wilds of Texas. I'm delighted to know that the BBC project is still alive.

    By the way, I love fish & chips - - and those cakes from Greggs Bakery look very tempting.

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  9. What a full and interesting week. Glad to hear your production still has legs.

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  10. Love your new header photo.
    I read about the horses from a James Herriot book. I do love them so fat and looking like a sheep. Maybe they could pull a children's cart ?
    Wonderful photos as always.

    cheers, parsnip

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  11. You have triggered one of my occasional bouts of nostalgia for living in London.

    When I lived in Hampstead (in the 80s, in the same road, but not at the same time as Freud) we often talked of going for long walks across London. Unfortunately, we were too busy engineering trips to the Peak District and North Wales (or just as far as the Chilterns) to do get round to actually doing them.

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  12. What a busy week you've had! And you've probably pushed countless memory-buttons here - for me it was fish and chips in Rock Stein's shop in Padstow - and my mother, who also use to equate wishes with horses!

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  13. There is so much to love in this post -- mostly that you re having a rather wonderful time, I think! I'm looking forward to the Railway Man, so I'd be curious to hear your criticism. And I'm so glad that the show is still on the table for BBC. It is like herding cats to get something done in television, but being in progress makes a difference.

    And those skewblads -- I would love one of those! They really are adorable! I may have to go back and read this over and over!

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  14. I get tired just reading your blog! What an interesting week you've had.

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  15. There is so much in this post that I am not quite sure where to focus, except to marvel at a busy and wonderful life! The décor is fabulous but what really struck me are the horses wandering about the grassy knolls. Wonder if they serve as lawnmowers in some cases. :)

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  16. I'm jealous of the Thamesmead photo! It's a beauty, even the swan took up the right spot. Super!
    It still looks a dreich area to me mind, but more interesting than that lecture you took in. Those books are also worth having behind you. Such a collection! Programme makers from the past complain it takes too long to make TV today. Too many nobodies inbetween to deal with. I think I can see how the Beeb can save money myself. That must be a 'Klimt' on the wall there.
    That's another super post! From Thamesmead to Vienna with wonky cakes thrown in, fantastic!

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  17. What a lovely little ramble - those animals in Thamesmead are incredible. I love those smiley cakes, the theatre seats, the children writing, the delicious fish and reliable fish and chips (love to pop into Fryers Delight too - it was hard to resist most of the summer as we were living very close - no wonder I gained weight!:)

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  18. The Soho Hotel looks great, I like the unusual and creative decor.
    Lots to look at and learn in this very interesting post of yours!
    You too have a great week. Mine will be very busy, with engagements on three out of five evenings.

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  19. I learn something every time I come on your blog, Jenny. I hadn't heard about the feral horses before, they look so cute though. The picture you took of the two together is of prizewinning quality for it's subject matter. I love it.

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  20. I remember the infamous reputation of Thamesmead when I lived in London. But judging by your friendly welcome, maybe it's changed a bit since then.

    So are the cake wrecks deliberately skew-whiff or are they mistakes being sold cheaply? Never noticed them in Greggs when I bought my bread there many years back.

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  21. Recently started following you (as 'A Bit About Britain'). That's a fascinating journey in your post; got quite exhausted reading it - but fabulous! I knew someone that lived in Thamesmead once...

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  22. You certainly pack a lot into your time! I rather like that futuristic camel.

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  23. WOW that's a lot in one post!
    Love the loose horses. That's something one won't see in my part of the world. And what a great friend you are to go to a lecture that wasn't for you. I would NEVER do that one ;o)

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  24. Well, it looks like you are keeping busy! That's what I like about London: there is always something to do/visit/enjoy! I can't wait to hear more about your BBC project!

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  25. Congratulations Jenny ~ I have passed on the SUNSHINE AWARD to you for your creativity and positivism. I have acknowledged you on my blog.

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  26. Thanks for the further comments. Mimi, I thought the cakes were quite sweet and endearing, I like your idea! Nick, no they were not being sold off cheap :)

    Valerie, Penelope, and others, glad I am not the only one who had no idea that these semi wild horses were roaming around in London and I am glad so many people have been interested in them.
    Enjoy your busy week Meike. I go through spells of being busy, other weeks I hardly seem to move an inch
    Adullamite, I too have ideas about how the BBC could save both money and time but perhaps they are better kept for private discussions.... I would like to say that I persuaded the swan to go just there but really I waited until I saw one heading for the patch of light, finger at the ready to hit the shutter.
    Lulu, I find fish and chips so amazingly attractive too.

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  27. Those wild horses are adorable! So neat that they roam around like that!

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  28. Are these horses lie those in the Dublin area which, when complaints were made about them grazing between the high rises were promptly rehoused in the flats, going up and down in the lifts each day.

    Fingers crossed for the BBC project.

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  29. I want to know more about Thamesmeade. I want to know more about everything. There is so much of interest in this post. You are one busy lady!

    Darla

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  30. I loved that first photo. One of the reasons why I love London is that grimness. I know, I know, I'm in a minority here but look at today's day. In my corner of London it is grey, windless and dark. And yet, there's such a beauty to this weather and season. I would love to cycle around the Thamesmead, too. You've given me an idea now. :-)

    Have a nice rest of the week.

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  31. Well, you have certainly been keeping busy! I gather you are feeling better since the last time I visited was awhile ago. I love those skewbalds! So much art and color in this post--really enjoyed my visit!

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  32. Your life is fabulous, interesting and intelligent. I make crooked trains out of cookies. Sad. LOL

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  33. Jenny, those gipsy horses are similar to sheep, you're right, I thought the same when saw your photo. I see you had very busy week, a lot of things, movie, cakes. By the way I liked their 'faces' too, funny!
    Have a nice week!

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  34. heard lovely Colin talking about the movie on the radio this morning.....am keen to see it but sounds harrowing. Went to see a museum and memorial when I was in Thailand and my friends dad was one of those who built the bridge. Those ponies do look a lot like sheep.....!!!

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  35. Ah London, the many faces of London. I find a raw beauty in the perhaps more garish aspects of my home town. A visual and written delight is always found here,. You are one busy and talented lady. Wild horses couldn't drag me away....

    Thank you for this, Jenny.

    Gary :)

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  36. Thank you for visiting my country blog. Just have to tell you one of my daughters and her family lived in England for three years and loved it there. Like the cake wrecks too. Have a nice week.

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  37. I once lived in Barking, I think that’s Thamesmead way? Or is it?

    You are certainly busy. Keep well and don’t get overwhelmed.

    PS: I think it’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, two words.But I’m sure you know that anyway.

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  38. Parts of "The Railway Man" were filmed here in south-east Queensland, around the Ipswich area. It's not that far from where I live.

    Those ponies are wonderful little creatures. There's something quite "ancient" and quaint about them.

    I'm hopeless when sitting in seminars or similar. Cat naps just seem to take over with no bidding whatsoever!

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  39. Reading that I had a sudden overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia and a real sense of thankfulness that I don't live in a city.

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  40. I love reading about the other facets to London. I'm so glad you bravely write about it all.

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  41. Everyone's taken all the good comments! I'll just say that I'm not sure I've ever seen such an eclectic mix of variety in one post before. Marvellous.

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  42. Thanks for the further comments, so many of them interesting and thought provoking as usual. I was touched by what you said Katherine.

    Lee how interesting that part of the film was done in Queensland. I had sort of assumed it was in Burma though no reason why it should be. Duh! It does look lovely, and such a contrast with the difficult subject matter of the film.
    Helen, I think they are the very horses!.

    Friko, Barking isn't that near Thamesmead, at least by road, though not so far as the crow flies. I have corrected the spelling mistake. My motto is usually "if it is a German phrase make it into one long portmanteau word" but I guess it doesn't work all the time ! :)

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  43. I loved your description of Fryer's Delight - sometimes those old, well-worn diners are the best places for comfort food. Not healthy, not gourmet, just ... well ... yummy.

    You certainly had a busy week - hope it slows down for you enough so that you can enjoy the holidays!

    And how cool would it have been if you had run into Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman!

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  44. Late commenter here! Those sheepish horses are the sweetest animals, and I have never heard of them. I had to Google Thamesmead to find out where it is, and was surprised - so close to London for wild horses. I remember when Colin Firth was in town, filming part of The Railway Man not far from where I live. Tried to figure out a way to meet him, but alas, could not :)

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  45. that was a pretty fabulous week! I feel very dull in comparison. And you have furry horses over there, also. Great fun stumbling across your blog.

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