Cypher spotting on postboxes

It is true to say (for me at least) that I pay very little attention to the many red post boxes dotted around everywhere. They stand in plain sight only to be given a second thought on the few occasions I post anything. (And let's not go there with the previous blog post)!!

The other day I stopped and propped my Brompton up against a post box to see that it has the less than common Queen Victoria royal cypher. 

Then, on Thursday on Willow Road heading south towards Regents Park, I spotted another. 

I will try an keep an eye out for some of the others on my travels and see if I can get a photo of them. 

Until next time, be careful out there people!

Selling Brompton related items is beyond my patience!

Over the years, like many of you out there, I have accumulated many Brompton items that I no longer use. The sensible thing to do is of course to gift them on or sell those items that are of more value. However, this can be an almighty hassle to say the least. 

Trying to sell a pair of Brooks leather handlebar grips was interesting to put it mildly. Despite me stating I was in the UK and more specifically London, a prospective buyer wanted to know if I could meet up in Barcelona!? Politely informing them of the London bit, I also said that sadly mailing them was not an option either. Thinking that was the end they asked again whether I could post, not to Barcelona but to their friend in Paris. 

More recently, the possible sale of my Brooks B17 Titanium saddle really did push me almost to the point of  distraction. The potential buyer said they wanted to buy it. Then, they wanted to be reassured in case it was a scam. I did wonder at this point whether I should have offered to meet under a clock at one of the London mainline stations, perhaps wearing a carnation! (An orange one if such a thing exists). After saying no, I was then told that if I sold it on a popular auction site (you know the one), it might reassure them. That was the last straw and I withdrew everything I was selling. 

I always pride myself on being a gentleman (albeit one who likes Terry Thomas). Perhaps the new sticker has given me a cad-like reputation? On several levels, I would like to think so.

Until next time, take care out there people!

Watt's Memorial, Postman's Park

Not far from St Paul's Cathedral, some office workers eat their sandwiches on a bench in Postman's Park. Many of them do not give the many memorials a second glance. 

The memorials in questions are for remembering heroic, self-sacrifice from a bygone era. Proposed by the sculptor, George Frederic Watt in 1867 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887, the reality of his idea actually happening did not take place until 1898. 

There was space for up to 120 memorials but by 1931 only 53 were ever placed up for all to see. Many of the memorials remember those who lost their lives in tragic circumstances - as you can see from the photos below. 

If you are ever in the area, well worth a visit.

Until next time, be careful out there people!

St Pancras Church, Euston Road

On Euston Road, not too far from St Pancras Station sits St Pancras church. Word has it that this was one of the most expensive church builds since St Paul's Cathedral (yes the big one with the dome). This isn't the reason it holds some interest for me. 

Building started in 1819 and sculptor Charles Rossi spent nearly three years crafting the caryatids you can see below. They are made from Coade stone. This for me is the interesting part. 

Founded by Eleanor Coade in 1769, Coade stone dominated the trade in all things statue, busts, garden ornaments and tombstones for several years. Being weather resistance, it was made to a secret formula - that I believe still remains much of a mystery to this day. Despite the success of the company, it went under and the secret of Coade stone lost to time. 

There are many other examples of Coade stone having been used all across London but if you are ever passing St Pancras Church, you can see for yourself how well they have stood up to one of the busiest roads in London and all its undoubted pollution over the years. 

Until next time, be careful out there people!

Brompton Electric revenge on London to Brighton overnighter!

Last Friday night into Saturday morning, I made another attempt to get my Brompton Electric to complete a London to Brighton overnighter. The previous attempt resulted in an abandoned ride where we got as far a Horely. So, after a few weeks - and better weather forecasts - we tried again.

Sadly, Geoff could not make this one but Dr John could. We met at the time honoured spot not far from the London Eye. I cycled down from north London, enjoying London at night and how busy it was. I arrived just before 23:30, with Dr John not too long thereafter. After loading the route and pressing start, we headed off into familiar territory. 

Obviously, I took my Brompton Electric with me. The reason quite simple. I could turn the power on at will. I decided to take the larger front bag and as a result I probably took much more than I needed to (I needed to justify bringing it I suppose). 

Of late, it has been pretty warm - summer finally arriving here in the UK and London - so it was shorts and a polo shirt more or less the entire way. A gentle breeze was our companion for the ride to cool things down and it was a lovely night for cycling. 

It felt like ages since I had embarked on one of these adventures and it was good to catch up with Dr John. The first few miles out of London are busy to say the least. It wasn't really too bad though considering the good weather. The agreement (for both of us) was that we would simply take things nice and steady. That is exactly what we did and it made things all the more enjoyable. 

At roughly 4.5 miles in, after passing by Clapham Common to our right, the left turn at Cathles Road heading towards Tooting Bec Common, marked the point at which things always seems to get quieter. Normally at this point we spot a fox running across the road. Just when we thought it was not to be, two turned up not far from the usual spot. 

About 15 miles in, we reached Farthing Downs at 01:30. There is a steep climb up to it and I unashamedly had the power on at its lowest setting. From this point onwards, urban is more or less left behind in favour of quieter country lanes and villages. The wildlife - both what you can see and hear - increases too. 

Farthing Downs

The route was by no means flat and I was glad of the power from the motor whenever I felt like it. 

I had been looking out for Outwood Windmill and in the darkness almost missed it. Thankfully, Dr John spotted it and I was able to take a photo. Building on it began in 1665 and it is said those working on its construction were able to see the glow from the Great Fire of London in 1666, som 25 miles away. 

Outwood Windmill

Being very organised, Dr John had checked that the the 24-hour petrol station on the A264 was open. It was and we turned left from a quiet road into what in daylight must be quite a busy one. At the petrol station we bought a few snacks, eating them happily outside. After buying them - being in an air conditioned shop - I remarked that it was rather warm outside. About 25 minutes later, just before we headed off again, I put some arm warmers on as I felt chilly. Typical after setting off after the half way stop I suppose! 

Only the finest 24-hour petrol station will do

No too long after the halfway stop we encountered Turner Hill. Not overly difficult to ascend but you certainly know you have once reaching the top. With the power on, I made my way up rather quickly. Looking down at my Terry Thomas sticker on my frame, I could not help but inwardly laugh. I waited for Dr John to arrive but dared not sit down on one of the benches. On a previous adventure, we did this and I actually nodded off and according to Dr John started to snore. Slander!

We carried on, making good progress and despite cycling this route several times before, I was surprised at just how many ups and downs there were!

Easy ascent on this

Is it starting to rain?

Reaching the base of Ditchling with a sign pointing in the general direction, the sun had risen. It was a muggy and cloudy start and I fancied that I could detect the odd drop of rain. This became a certainty when it started to rain! At the bottom of Ditchling Beacon our arm warmers came off in favour of light rain jackets - along with the cover for my Brompton Electric front bag. 

Dr John set off first but with the power turned on, I headed up the steep incline and soon was off into the distance. The motor kicked in and although I did need to put in some work, it was nothing compared to the motor being turned off. My ascent was rapid and I suspect I got to the top many times faster than I have ever done before. 

Mr waiting for Dr John

At the top of Ditchling Deacon I waited, took photos, sent a message to Mrs Orange, checked train times... in the time it took for poor Dr John without a motor to reach the summit. He arrived comically cursing and after some recovery time we headed into Brighton. 

At the top of Ditchling Deacon

Views

It was still raining so we made for the train station using the now properly surfaced cycle path that ran parallel to the road. 

Looking to see if Dr John is coming

While at the train station, Dr John bought some food for the journey back and almost had it stolen by a large and opportunist Herring Gull. In fact, it made two separate attempts! I tried my best not to laugh. 

The train journey took a little over an hour and I could hardly keep my eyes open. At Farringdon I got off and said my goodbyes. I could have made things a little easier for myself by getting off at the next stop with Dr John at St Pancras but I know the way back from Farringdon blindfolded. 

With the motor on, I glided back feeling rather smug that I had it to assist. Once home I had a shower and retired to bed, only to surface a few hours later. 

A lovely adventure and again thanks to Dr John for his always welcome company. Also thanks to him for for patience, seeing me glide off into the distance whenever I turned the power on. 

My Brompton Electric is proving itself to be a rather valued part of my Brompton fleet and I am very pleased that I took the plunge. My knee felt totally fine during and after the ride and the peace of mind the power of the Brompton Electric brings is immense. 

Until next time, be careful out there people!

Goldfinger's house in London

Somewhere in the last two days, the James Bond author Ian Fleming was mentioned as there is talk a play or television programme (I cannot recall as I got distracted) about his wartime exploits. None of this made me think of James Bond or Ian Fleming however it did make me think of Goldfinger. No not that one, the real one where the name came from. 

Erno Goldfinger was an architect and a big player in the Modernist movement. Most of his designs are for residential tower blocks - Trellick Tower perhaps being the most famous. There is however a terrace of three houses in Hampstead, 2 Willow Road being the one he and his family resided in. 

I could have quite easily walked there as it is only just over a mile away but I decided to cycle, taking my Brompton Electric on a longer adventure. 

Number 1 and 3 are private residences and they must get frustrated at chaps like me on an Orange Brompton taking photos. In fact when I arrived there was already a couple of people doing the same (although not on a Brompton). 

In 1936 Goldfinger's original idea was to build some flats but this was rejected. This was changed to the current three houses. A few rather quaint Victorian cottages needed to be bulldozed to make way for Goldfinger's design and met with fierce opposition by the locals. One of these was none other than Ian Fleming. As he was not a fan of Goldfinger's architecture, the destruction of the Victorian cottages and Goldfinger as a person, he named perhaps his most famous villain after him and Auric Goldfinger was born. 

Perhaps a more realistic version, bearing in mind that Fleming had lived in the area for a short amount of time when he was two-years-old, was that Fleming played a round of golf with an acquaintance of Goldfinder's wife. Fleming liked the name and thought it would be great to name the villain of his next book.

Naturally, the real Goldfinger consulted his legal people. Goldfinger was well know to be quite humourless and possessing a short fuse. He had a reputation of dismissing assistants if they were jocular. (I wouldn't have lasted five minutes)! I do however appreciated his designs and I do like them. 

Goldfinger's 2 Willow Road now a Grade II listed property and you can visit it at certain times of the year. Well worth a visit, if that is your sort of thing. 

As I cycled back I could not help but hum the theme to 'Goldfinger.' I fancy I could almost hear someone shouting, 'your fired!' in the distance! Until next time, stay safe out there people!