Pictures in a Tunnel

The strong scent of spray paint settled around us like a cloud in the Leake Street tunnel last weekend. We went down to check out the event Writers-Pictures In A Tunnel. I’d been down there loads of times with my camera including way back when the Cans festivals were happening and just at random on my way to Scootercaffe like here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here, for example…

Here’s a YouTube video from one of the organizers.
(You can see me in my red coat around 1.02 taking a photo of a spray painted piece of rope tied around a fence…)

And, of course, some photos from such a visual event.

I absolutely love seeing street artists and graffiti artists at work. It fascinated me to no end. In fact, I’ve got an interview with one of these guys for you pretty soon so stay tuned!

Free Lunch: Crazy Carrots

Did anyone manage to get down to Trafalgar Square for the Free Lunch for 5,000 last Friday? I didn’t but Sabine Thoele did and she got a few shots I love of some crazy carrots.

Free Lunch event was meant to shine some light on food waste. Here’s a fast fact from their website. Even crazier than the carrots…”All the world’s nearly one billion hungry people could be lifted out of malnourishment on less than a quarter of the food that is wasted in the US, UK and Europe.”

Food for thought, no?

Add your own photos to the Flickr pool for a chance to be featured.

Also, few more days for the giveaway. Check it out!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Our first stop at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland? Mulled Wine. It’s £4 a cup, but when you’re standing in freezing night temperatures, it’s a must to keep your hands from going numb and to warm you from the inside.

We had some good laughs trying on hats (for example, one that looked like a fish – you stick your head up into its mouth), ate some bratwurst smothered in ketchup, watched the pretty lights of the rides and bought a a couple goodies from the Christmas market. There’s also an ice skating rink if you’ve got good balance or don’t mind a few bruises.

You pay for rides and food at regular fairground prices, but entry is free and it’s a nice experience just wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere. Friends of mine went on a weekend which is apparently crowded, but we went on a Monday night after work and it was just right. The Wonderland is open till 10pm. Dress warm!!

http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Gorilla Silent Disco

Look at all the fun I missed the other day…! Martin Payne added these great Gorilla Silent Disco photos of the Flickr Pool. Where else but London do you see a bunch of giant gorillas dancing on a bridge?

The gorillas danced for 30 minutes, raising awareness for the upcoming Great Gorilla Run, which is raising money for the Gorilla Organization’s conservation programme. The run is expected to bring about 700 gorillas to the streets of London so don’t be alarmed on September 26th when they take over…

A Weekend of Caribbean Chaos

Expect elaborate, vivid, colourful costumes covering strategic bits of wriggling bodies in a long and impressive parade.

Expect whistles and party horns from a crowd of a million people that make up an incredibly vibrant atmosphere, 40 static sound systems pumping out Soca, Calypso, Reggae, Funk, R&B and House music that makes you want to dance along with stages featuring live acts that have included in the past the likes of Wyclef Jean and Jamiroquai.

Expect to be enticed by the mouth-watering aroma of jerk chicken and curried goat coming from 100 booths serving up delicious Caribbean food.

Yup, it is Notting Hill Carnival weekend this Sunday and Monday, and the only bank holiday I get off of work because my office is in the thick of it all. It’s also a brilliant weekend for photo opportunities if the weather holds cleans itself up – or even if it doesn’t.

The carnival was started in the ‘60s by the Afro-Caribbean community, drawing its roots from the carnivals of the 19th century in Trinidad which celebrated the abolition of slavery. The first carnival in Notting Hill was meant to showcase a steel band that used to play in Earl’s Court on weekends.

It ended up creating a community feel that has been built up to the world-famous festival it is today.

Head down on Sunday if you’ve got kiddies for family fun and costume prizes. Or, if you’re in it for the pure chaos, Monday is made for madness and music that starts in the morning and carries on late into the morning hours.

Take public transport, don’t expect an easy escape or clean toilets and keep your eyes on anything valuable you bring along, but also expect to be impressed by the effort that goes into the costumes, energised by the music and inspired by the culture. I’d say it’s a must to go at least once if you’ve never been before.

One more little tip – If you’re coming from outside of London and want to save a bit of money on accommodation, vouchercodes.co.uk is running a deal in connection with Travelodge offering £15 off “flexible rate room bookings”.

Photos are from my visit last year!