#513 - Assess London's city squares: Lincoln's Inn Fields

Timeout says:
This 17th-century square, laid out by Inigo Jones, is now a favourite spot for lunching lawyers from the Inns of Court. Sir John Soane's Museum faces on to the square

Dave did:
Well I didn't see anyone resembling a lawyer (no funny wigs anyway!). Curiously there were plenty of stretch limo's about (white and pink ones..??), and there was a kids exercise class in the centre of the park.

My overall assessment? A reasonable get away from the hectic city life, but the buzz of the corporate life is only a 2 minute walk away...

108 down...892 Things to go!

#849 - Take a peek at Strand Lane's 'Roman Bath'

Timeout says:
Neither Roman nor really a bath, this splendid little curio at 5 Strand Lane can be glimpsed through a murky barred window down a cruddy side alley off Surrey Street. The red-brick plunge pool is first mentioned in records towards the end of the 18th century and Dickens wrote about it in David Copperfield, but archaeologists have found no evidence to confirm it has Roman origins.

Dave did:
Today wasn't my lucky day. An hour long walk to get to the Inns fields, and on my way home I decided to seek out this little gem.

The dark alley was gated and locked, and the sign informed me that it was around the corner at the end of the alley...



so my best shot of it was this:



First impressions count, and I don't think I'd consider a swim down there!

107 down...893 Things to go!

#34 - Nose around the Inns of Court

Timeout says:
The Inns of Court - four self-contained precincts where barristers traditionally train and practice - are an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. The Inns - Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple - meander in a broad zig-zag from Holborn down through Chancery Lane to Blackgriars and Embankment. They trace their history back to the 14th century, when the old manor house belonging to Sir Reginald de Grey, Chief Justice of Chester, was converted into a 'hostelry' for law students fleeing the disarray of King Edward's court (hence Inns).

Dave did:
Have you ever had one of those days where you go off in search of some site around town...you have your printed map and know exactly where your going. And an hour later you realise you didn't know exactly where you were going at all!

Well that was the story of my evening in London tonight! I've suddenly had the wind in my sales of late, and keen to crack on with my 1000 Things I noticed that the Inns of Court gardens were not that far away from my office...unfortunately I decided to take a circular route, reaching my target in ever decreasing circles! A 10 minute walk from my office turned into a 1 hour hike!

Got there in the end though! I did some research on wikipedia beforehand and apparently the Lincoln Inn Fields inspired the creation of Central Park in New York. I'll be honest and say I've never been to Central Park, but if its anything like this one then I think I'll give it a miss...nothing that special if you ask me!



106 down...894 Things to go!

#944 - Watch the London Triathlon

Timeout says:
It can seem like sadism to watch athletes putting themselves through such torture. The London Triathlon involves a swimming, bike and running race. The races are important fundraisers for charity.


Dave did:
A few months ago I arranged a primary school reunion through facebook, trying to get together some old schoolmates who grew up with me out in the middle-east and now so happen to live in and around London. To cut a long story short, only 2 people showed up...and 1 of them was 2 hours late so I never actually saw them!

However, I met up with the late-comer a few weeks later for a drink, and she announced she was taking part in the London Triathlon later in the year. At this point a small lightbulb went off in the back of my mind (1000 Things, I am ashamed to say wasn't at the forefront of my mind back then), but I couldn't recall why at the time.

Then this weekend I was reading through my 1000 Things bible and realised I was meant to watch it. I quickly went online to check out the dates only to realise that it was this weekend! My old schoolfriend hadn't even reminded me she was doing it!

Unfortunately I didn't get out in time to see her perform the swimming leg for her team, and I had to resort to checking out the Olympic-standard triathletes the following day.

Got down to Embankment where my research reliably informed me that the cycling leg would pass through. Was there any cyclists rushing past? Not one! The barriers were setup, the police presence was felt, but nothing else was really happening.

I looked left...



...two tourists walking straight over the cyclists path.


I looked right...



...oh hang on...



...finally a cyclist!



So there you go...I saw the London Triathlon!


105 down..895 Things to go!

#786 - Visit the Thames Barrier

Timeout says:
The key player in London's flood defence system and an arresting piece of modern architecture.

Dave did:
As part of my work's grand cruise down the Thames we did not only see the Thames Barrier, we cruised THROUGH the Thames Barrier! Unfortunately it was not in action while we passed through it (well maybe not so unfortunate as it would be difficult for us to about turn and come back through it again!), but Gillian (my partner for the evening) could see how excited I was by what we achieved that evening! It was very very cool! (and yes I am very very sad!)





104 down...896 Things to go!

#995 - Go on a Thames River boat trip

Celebrity Favourite Thing - Christian O'Connell (Radio DJ)

Timeout/Christian says:
My daughter is transfixed by the Thames - the sheer size of it. We're going on a boat trip this summer - a good one that goes from Kingston, past Putney and on to Westminster

Dave did:
Well as explained in my last post, I did go on a lovely Thames cruise for a work's event, but unfortunately it didn't take in the pleasant sights of London. I did see the O2 Centre (nee the Millennium Dome), Canary Wharf, and the Thames Barrier...but still would have liked to have seen London city, rather than London scrubs!

Never turn down a free lunch though...I cruised the Thames with free food and booze and thats NEVER a bad thing!

103 down...897 Things to go!

#279 - Actually use river transport

Timeout says:
Have a gander at any Ole London picture of the Thames and the first thing that'll strike you is the amount of river traffice there used to be. These days most boats on the river are used by tourists - and perfectly nice they are too, taking you about the many sights of the Thames...an excellent way to get from east to west - or just to see the river's landmarks

Dave did:
Work announced that they were to hold a Charity Ball on a boat, which would cruise down the river Thames.

Perfect, I thought, maybe I'll get to see Tower Bridge open while I sail under it, maybe I'll see the London Eye and Westminster and see the sights of London from the one place very few people do see them from!


Unfortunately none of the above happened (although we did go under Tower Bridge, it did not open up for us!). We actually travelled from Tower Bridge east-wards, towards Canary Wharf, and then on to the Thames Barrier. Not the nicest of routes in London (lots of warehouses, ship yards and other pretty worn down areas of London), but it was still a great night out!

102 down...898 Things to go!