View from an office window in Canary Wharf

I cannot complain about the view from our office windows. Many days you can't see the buildings because of the fog but this Sunday there was no fog. I have seen the skyline of City of London almost every day for the past six and a half years - isn't it breathtaking?

London walk 6 - Soho, home of entertainment, restaurants and clubs

After walking through China Town I crossed Shaftesbury Avenue and went into Soho, which is long established as an entertainment district. Since the 1980s the area has undergone considerable transformation and is predominantly district of upmarket restaurants and media offices. It is also home of London's main gay village.

The French House on Dean Street only serves beer in half pints and is said to have hosted Charles de Gaulle during World War II. His speech rallying the French People, 'A tout les Francais' is said to have been written here. 

Soho has always had a rich music scene. For instance, prominent Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club on Gerrard Street has been in operation since 1959 and has featured artists such as Chet Baker, Dianne Reeves, Stacey Kent, Katie Melua, Ella Fitzgerald and Price and it was also where Jimmie Hendrix played live for the last time.

Then on to Carnaby Street, now home to numerous fashion and lifestyle retailers including a number of independent fashion boutiques. It is, however, maybe most well known for being one of the coolest destinations associated with the Swinging London of 1960s as bands such as Small Faces, The Who and Rolling Stones appeared in the area to work, shop and socialise.  

Before heading off at the Oxford Circus tube station we walked by Liberty, the luxury department store off Regent Street.

London walk 5 - China Town

The present Chinatown, off Shaftesbury Avenue, has been established since the 1970s. The area comprises a handful of streets centred around Gerrard Street. The establishment started by a Chinese restaurant opening on Lisle Street, parallel to Gerrard Street, and then spread gradually. The area currently hosts over 80 restaurants. One of my favourite restaurants is Gerrard's Corner at the corner of Wardour and Gerrard Street.

Below the entrance to Gerrard Street.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Pagoda:

The Chinese community offers a number of Chinese speaking papers.

The Lion at the corner of Wardour Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, that was unveiled on April 8th 2009, is a collaborative work between two Royal College of Art graduates, Hsiao-Chi Tsai from Taiwan and Kimiya Yoshikawa from Japan. The Lion is intended to represent the diversity of East Asians living and working in the UK. 

London walk 2 - Mayfair

My second London walk took me to Mayfair. It started out at Green Park underground station walking towards Old and New Bond Street. On the way is wonderful Ritz.

New Bond Street has become synonymous with high international fashion and luxury. All the big designers are here - Chanel, Prada, Cartier... And of course Tiffany's. 

Just where Old Bond Street meets New Bond Street the statue 'Allies' is found. The bronze a statue shows Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt talking. 

Typical Mayfair street.

Cozy Shepherd Market, just off Curzon Street - a well-hidden warren of alleyways is lined with small shops, pubs and restaurants. 

#48 Berkley Square, where Churchill grew up.

Berkley Square.

The walk ended off at Regent Street... 

...and Piccadilly Circus. 

Central London?

Who could believe that the picture below is taken in Central London...? Zone 2 - amazing. I would have guessed further away. Lots to see along Regents Canal - well worth a stroll. Especially if it's sunny!

A couple of pictures from Piccadilly Circus

We went to see Les Miserables at Odeon at Leicester Square this evening and on the way there and after we passed by Piccadilly Circus. Lots of people as always, but because of the warm weather there was even more than a usual Saturday evening. It's fun taking pictures at Piccadilly (almost as fun as Time Square) and especially at night. Still haven't caught it after a rainy day, when there would be lots of reflections and this time I didn't take on any buses. But why do everything at the same time?

Oxford Street and Regent Street wish Merry Christmas

No exploration of Christmas lights is complete without the yearly light in the heart of London - from Piccadilly Circus up Regent Street and all along Oxford Street. We had a nice walk and I must confess that I have a little more Christmas feeling than a couple of days ago. Our Christmas tree at home has been set up and we have a Swedish 'adventsljusstake' but the Christmas decorations all over the city... Well, I guess it's the icing on the cake.

Oxford Circus looking down towards Selfridges. 

Looking in the other direction.

Regent Street wishes us all a Merry Christmas

Regent Street

Back on Oxford Street, walking towards Selfridges. 

Marmite - you either love it or hate it. I can admit - I am _ _ _ a fan... But thank you for sponsoring this years lights of course!