Amble on an Orange Brompton

The other day I went on a little amble with nowhere in particular in mind at all. I decided to test out the Velo 2 that the lovely peeps at Beeline had sent out to me to test, so I decided to be give it a try. (Much more on the Velo 2 at a later stage once I have really given it the once over, so keep coming back to read about that at some point). 

I started off at Finchley Road just on the border of NW8 and cycled down past Abbey Road and its famous studios. there was no one there taking a photo on or near the famous zebra crossing for once. From there I cycled past Regents Park, the British Museum, through Clerkenwell and then to Barbican. There, I had to stop off at Florin Court which to those of you who are fans of the television series, Poirot will know that this was used as the home of the famous detective, Whitehaven Mansions. 

The little Velo 2 did a great job of getting me to various locations that popped into my mind and I enjoyed its simplicity. 

Heading south across the river I found myself cycling past Millwall Football Club. I didn't particularly want to cycle past this but the route was a good one and it got me target of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel - south side. I found an old Victorian archway and decided to stop and take a photo. A couple walking the other way looked at my taking a photo and the lady shouted out, 'nice bike.'

I headed into the old Naval College at Greenwich for a few more photos and wondered why tourists firstly don't hire a bike to see London and second don't get up as early as myself to have lots of these locations all to yourself?

Cycling further east towards the O2 I stopped for the photo below. I can honestly remember the first few times I cycled this way and sure it was but a step away from a derelict building site. (In truth it is not much more now). 

At North Greenwich I stopped for another piece of 'Labyrinth' art by Mark Wallinger. I really like these. I am not sure I will ever managed to get a photo of them all, but on the rare occasions I use the tube, I see if I can find one. From there it was a quick few stops on the Jubilee Line back to NW8 as I did not have the time to cycle back. Another time perhaps.

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

London Film and TV locations on a Brompton

What seems like ages now, on Sunday 5th March, I joined a select band of cyclist who normally go on Friday night rides to the coast but occasionally have rather good themed rides on a Sunday. This ride was film and television locations in London. The meeting point is usually Hyde Park Corner but as the first location was near Borough Market - which gets rather busy - we met outside London Bridge. Like many cities across the world, London has been used for countless locations for film and television. There are so many that you could probably find a reference on almost every street corner of central London. 

Passing Barbican Tube Station I could not resist getting another one of Mark Wallinger's, 'Labyrinth' artworks photographed before heading to the meeting point. 

At London Bridge Station I printed off some tickets I had booked in advance and then got a coffee before joining the group. It was a very chilly morning and I had worn several layers. After a quick talk by Ross, our ride leader of many of these rides (and nocturnal ones to the coast), we headed off to our first location only a short distance away. 

The first location was 8 Bedale Street, Southwark. The door was used in Bridget Jones's Diary as the exterior to Bridget's flat. It was from this very door that Colin Firth and Hugh Grant started their famous 'fight' scene. 

Lots of Borough Market was used in the Harry Potter films. The exterior of Arthur Hooper's top windows stood in for Harry Potter's room. Not far from this is the location where the Knight Bus dropped Harry off.

10 Trinity Square has views overlooking the Thames. It was once the headquarters of the Port of London Authority but has been a posh hotel since 2017. Its exterior has been used many times for all sorts including Kavanagh QC, The Crown, Skyfall but perhaps the greatest of the lot, The Professionals. Towards the end of the opening credits, Bodie, Cowley and Doyle can be seen walking down the steps towards the camera, ready for action. 

Leadenhall Market has been used many times, Lara Croft and in Philosopher's Stone for the start of Hagrid and Harry's back-to-school shopping trip. 

St Paul's Cathedral has been used for many locations. Several Dr Who episodes, Thor, Mary Poppins, Mission Impossible and another Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 

The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. commonly known as the Old Bailey sits on the former site of the infamous Newgate Gaol. It has lots of film and TV credits but its most recent being, A Very English Scandal starring Hugh Grant. 

Across the road is The Viaduct Tavern. It is believed that its cellars were once used as cells for Newgate Prison and as such are said to be haunted. 

The Hatton Garden area of London has many credits under its belt. The most recent being, The Hatton Garden Job that retells the real-life events where in 2015 the underground vaults of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company was burgled. 

Freemasons' Hall in Queens Street has been a Masonic meeting point since 1775. It has been used many times in popular culture. Part of the film Assassins Creed was filmed there. It was the front of Thames House - home to MI5 - on Spooks and used many times in Agatha Christie's Poirot. Some good uses here but it was also used as the location for the music video for Westlifes cover of Mandy.

The area around Roupell Street is a conservation area and is a location that is almost frozen in time. It has been used countless times for all sorts of television programmes and films. These include Call the Midwife, Doctor Who, Mr Selfridge and as the street where the Kray twins lived in the film Legend.

The Regency Cafe opened in 1946 is always busy and if you are lucky enough to get a seat without waiting, it is well worth a visit. It has been used countless times as filming locations with television series such as Judge John Deed, Rescue Me and London Spy being a few.  Its film credentials include Layer Cake, Pride and Brighton Rock.

On June 22, 1969 Judy Garland was found dead in the bathroom of her house in Cadogan Lane, Belgravia.  The are no plagues or memorials to this as subsequent owners did not want the steady stream of fans paying it a visit. 

The last stop was St James's Palace. Built on orders from Henry VIII in the 1530s it has been a London residence for several members of the Royal family. It has been used as a stand in for filming scenes that are meant to be Buckingham Palace just up the road.  

Another entertaining cycle ride and as always many thanks to Ross for leading. (He really could do this professionally).

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

The Brompton Factory Pen

Tucked away in the several items of Brompton accessories you will find, 'The Brompton Factory Pen.' I was given one of these as a way of a thank you for my friend who has a thing for the Brompton CHPT3. (You might have read a recent blog post about this and the release of version #4. He managed to get one quite easily to join all the other versions he has, without the need for me going to buy one, just in case).

Now I have to confess, I only ever use fountain pens. I always have and this Brompton pen is a rollerball. Saying that the 'Schmidt Ceramic Roller Cartridge' in this pen is extremely good and I have quite happily used it. 

The pen is machined from aluminium and has an industrial vibe going on, befitting the Brompton name.  As it is made from aluminium it is light in weight and comfortable in the hand.

The pen fits into a long cap which has the benefit of being magnetised. This allows the cap to softly click into place. The pen can be used without the cap being posted but your can fit it one to the barrel of the pen to give a little heft. 

The Brompton logos appear to remind you this is a Brompton product and it is definitely well worth the £30 asking price. 

As I have already mentioned, I am an unashamed fountain pen user but this pen writes really, really well and I have been using it quite a bit since it was gifted to me. 

The sort of thing I usually go for!

So, you have the bike, you have the toolkit and you can now get the pen. I am very pleased with mine. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!!