Lomography

Sir Ernest Shackleton CVO OBE was an Anglo Irish explorer and one of the key figures in exploring the Antarctic regions. I'm amazed to say that at the age of about ten, he moved to Sydenham, and this is where the Blue Plaque can be found.

Covent Garden these days is not full of fruit and vegetables like it used to be but a place to be seen or to spot those that want to be seen! With so many wonderful theatres in the area, the craft market, and all the rather exclusive shops, it is an ideal place to sit back at one of the cafés or pubs and enjoy the ambiance.

So you want to 'escape the city' and feel like you can catch your breath, hear the birds, and run through open spaces that are not clogged with people? Head south of the river to what was once the Great North Wood, lying only 4 miles (6km) south of Central London.

The Tower of London is a wonderful place to visit, it is steeped in history and has its fair share of gore - if you like that sort of thing. The Crown Jewels are kept here and some incredible armour, there are also the Yeoman Warders that guard the tower along with the Ravens.

Brixton Village is changing. It is growing in a funky, hip, and very appealing way. The pop-up-shops are really popping and the market is there for all your provisions. You have to visit just to soak up the atmosphere.

Behind a plain wall in an unassuming East Dulwich Road lies a wonder to behold. If you are into collectibles of all types, there will be something in here that you just have to buy. Of course, it's also a dream location for pics!

North Cross Road always had one or two odd and interesting shops but it is now becoming a bit of a mecca for those in the area to visit on a Friday or especially a weekend. Here, you will find a melting pot of vintage, designer, junk, vinyl, CDs, galleries, food, café culture, welcoming pubs and coffee houses...somewhere to spend a relaxing Saturday lunchtime!

Dulwich Picture Gallery was designed by Sir John Soane in 1811, it was the first purpose built public gallery in England. If you go there you will see why, especially from the exterior. It houses one of the oldest collections bequeathed by Sir Frances Bourgeois RA, in the United Kingdom and mostly consists of Old Masters brought together between 1790 and 1795.

The Horniman Museum and gardens stand on the brow of the hill in Forest Hill, South London. The museum has unique collections of musical instruments, artifacts from around the world, and enough stuffed animals to make a taxidermist squirm!

World Pinhole Photography Day/Week is coming up on the 24th of April and I wanted to share a 'How to make' with you all. Some years ago I put together two matchboxes and made a bizarre panoramic double image mash up cam which allows you to overlap, multi expose or juxtapose different images together. If you embrace a challenge and love the unexpected, then this is the cam for you.

Ruskin Park is an open space set between three very densely populated areas in South London. It is an award-winning Edwardian park with many different features. A perfect place to escape on a Sunday afternoon with your partner and have a picnic in the ornamental gardens.

World Pinhole Photography Day is fast approaching and now is the perfect opportunity to start pinholing - Once you get over any fear of the unknown, you'll never look back, it's so much fun!

The Globe Theatre is a wonder, a vision on the South bank of the Thames, founded by actor/director Sam Wanamaker. It is a playhouse out of time but very much needed in our time. Dedicated to showing performances of Shakespeare, it is a theatre of international importance not just for its historical reconstruction. It's also a wonderful place to get romantic in a balcony!

So you want to eat fried chicken? Well there are some places that you should and others that you really should not! Of course we all want quick food but then that's not always the best or healthiest option. Here we have some examples of where not to go and where to go all within a few hundred feet of each other!

Opening the Guardian supplement was a nice surprise this morning...

The Scoop is London's own version of an outdoor amphitheatre, a wonderful place to see a variety of often free events brought to you by More London.

One of the more salubrious places to be seen feeding the pigeons in South London is Dulwich Park. A wonderful park to visit and join the 'yummy mummies' in clearing out your old bread or your very best wholemeal and share it with the birds!

Greenwich in South London is bestowed with the important title of Royal, not many towns in the U.K. can claim this privilege. Architecturally it is very important and has many beautiful if not grand, buildings to see. Always busy, it is full of interest both for its views, park, architecture, and its markets. It is of course, known for the fact that it is on the Meridian and that is why we have Greenwich Mean Time!

If you want crisp, clean, and funky then Wasabi is the place for you. This food outlet, in my opinion, has it just right for a touch of Japan in London.

Somewhere to take your mum, well it's got to be The Royal Albert Hall and if you can get it, go as 'poshed' up as you can and get a Box on the Grand Tier, so you can see everyone. Don't forget the chocolates and champagne!