Distinguished Gentlemen (and Ladies)

Today I strolled down to Borough to spectate at the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride... And I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning there.

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride happens in cities all around the world and is held to raise money for prostate cancer research. It involves gentlemen (and ladies) dressing up dapper and mounting their classic and classic-style motorbikes to ride around, making lots of noise, creating a (well-mannered) spectacle, and hopefully raising awareness and sponsorship money. I found out about it through a very good friend of mine who was involved in the ride in Sydney, Australia. Unfortunately, I'm unable to ride myself and I don't know anyone with a bike here in London so was unable to join in even as a pillion. But I could go down and look at all the lovely bikes and admire everyone's style... People had made a great effort, with only a few shameful fake moustaches. (Seriously, when are some people going to realise that events that call for you to dress as a gentleman are about proper style, not about fancy dress piss-takes? Sorry, rant over.)

So on to the bikes and gentlemen:

Sorry, lots of photos there, but I figured it was the best way to demonstrate just how awesome the whole thing was! Oh, and a video snippet is definitely necessary, because what's a classic motorbike calvacade without the roar of the motors??

Finally, what did I wear as a distinguished gentlewoman spectator? Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures at the event as The Cat was unable to make it (despite being a motorbike fan himself - with a licence but without a stead...) so I had to wait until I was home to get a photo. It's still warm and sunny here in London, despite the fact that it's late September, so while I'm still able to get away with it, I'm wearing all the light summer dresses I can. I was going to wear gloves but it was just too warm! I did rock the (fake) pearls though, for a little distinction...

If you'd like to read more about the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, and if you would like to make an 11th hour donation, you can do so here.

Liverpool-bound

I'm heading to Liverpool this weekend for a girly "City break" with friends.

Diagram of Mersey Tunnel - looks to be contemporary with its 1920s-30s construction! (Image source)

We're staying in a hotel which was described in a review as "Isambard Kingdom Brunel meets Carrie Bradshaw".  As one of us is a structural engineer, one of us is a surveyor and one of us is an architectural historian, and as we're fully intending to be drinking cocktails and being stylish as always, we decided that it was the perfect place for us!

But before then, and in honour of Remembrance Day, I thought I would share some details from the Cenotaph in Liverpool. (Image source can be found here)

Pretty Tube Stations

Anyone not wanting to read a geeky train-related post, turn away now...

Source: London Transport Museum

Okay, now I'm alone with my fellow transport enthusiasts, I can gush unashamedly about Underground stations.  I was very pleased to read the other day that English Heritage has listed 16 new tube stations, particularly as some of these are ones for which I have a particular, personal fondness.

I've always liked Russell Square and Chalk Farm:

Russell Square Station (Photo by Diorama Sky via Flickr)

Chalk Farm Station (Source: Geograph)

I just love the "ox-blood" faience - it's such a rich and distinctive colour, which was the point really, to draw people's attention so they could spot the nearest tube station easily.  And they have beautiful green, art nouveau style tiles once you're inside.  Well, underground travel isn't a terribly pleasant experience, so why not liven it up with some vibrant colours?  The architect responsible for these stations (along with other lovelies such as the already listed Mornington Crescent ) was Leslie Green, who designed 40 stations for London Underground between 1903-1907.  Impressive turn-out for only a few years in service but I suppose when you're onto a good thing with your design and also aiming for standardisation, it's a lot easier...

I was also quietly pleased to see Wood Green make the list as well.  This used to be my local tube station and - although I didn't enjoy living out there particularly - I can't help but have a soft spot for the building I ventured through every day on my way to work.

Wood Green Station (Source: Wikipedia)

And back in the day (Source: The Independent)

I have to confess that, although the ticket hall is quite nice, overall it never particularly spoke to me architecturally.  Even though it is 1930s and by Charles Holden, who has some other buildings that I adore.  Holden is probably the architect most famously associated with London Underground, introducing a modern, minimalist style to the stations during the 1920s and 1930s.  He also designed 55 Broadway as the headquarters of London Underground - a fabulous building from the outside, though I've never been privileged enough to see inside it.  To me, Wood Green Station doesn't hold up quite as well against his other work but there you have it - someone must have deemed it worthy!

Source: Doug Rose