DRIVING AROUND PICCADILLY CIRCUS AND UP SHAFTESBURY AVENUE IS A NIGHTMARE. I avoid the CIRCUS if at all possible. The other evening, I had some time before I went to the theater, and decided I would “experience” the PICCADILLY CIRCUS scene. Years ago, I took my children to see all the spiked hair and amazing outfits, but I have not been motivated to spend time since.
Well, I went to PICCADILLY CIRCUS and enjoyed myself a great deal. I had my theater ticket, a 20 pound note, and my umbrella with me, so no one would find any great treasure in my pockets. I put my camera around neck because I knew it would be photo opportunity after photo opportunity. I was determined to enjoy myself, and I was not disappointed.
There must be no one left in Rome/Milan/Naples. Hundreds of Italians were at PICCADILLY CIRCUS enjoying themselves as you would expect. The young Italian ladies are absolutely beautiful and were posing for photos with their friends.
Then came the Spaniards. It must be hot in southern Spain because they all came to London to cool off. They were in small bunches all around the CIRCUS reading the A-Z trying to figure out where they were going next. There was a sound of music in the air, and I expected everyone to start dancing at any minute.
Everyone there completed ignored the traffic whirling around them– the tour buses, the bicycle taxis, the fabulous cars, and the cyclists.
The souvenir stand was selling refigerator magnets for 1.5 pounds each, and I think every tourist had at least one in his pocket.
Of course there were those who had been drinking too much, but that is to be expected. Lovers were glued to each other with their eyes aware of no one but their partners. There is a lot of energy when young lovers gather to enjoy an evening. They were all bundled up because it was cold in London.
I had to smile at all the shopping bags serving as foot rests or pillows for those who had been spending their souvenir money.
One Israeli fellow wanted me to take his picture. I told him I would post his picture on my website. Then I got a real smile from one happy young man who was hunting for some beautiful Spanish girl to spend the evening with. Of course THE LADS came around and acted like a line of bulls ready to “bully” anyone in their way. No one paid any attention.
I was amazed that there was no police presence in case things got out of hand. A lovely couple with their two little children in strollers were watching all the goings-on. We started to talk only to learn that he worked for EASY JET and travels all over Europe. They were a lovely family, and I enjoyed my visit.
MARY QUANT would have been thrilled to see all the mini-skirts. These long, outrageous stockings were topped with something that might be considered one third of a skirt. Prink and red stripes with a blue mini-skirt or brown and black long stockings with a purple mini. Goodness, there were more flashing bums on PICCADILLY CIRCUS that evening than I had seen in my entire life. What young people can get away with! Well…….
I love to see people enjoying each other, taking photographs, laughing, and chatting up someone. Everyone was acting YOUNG.
I enjoyed my time there. It was a good interlude in my day, and I felt good about people enjoying their time together. They came to have fun, and that is exactly what they were doing. SMILES EVERYWHERE. I know my grandchildren would be right in the middle of mayhem.
What a lot of fun. Wonderful.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
COLUMBIA FLOWER MARKET IS OPEN EVERY SUNDAY MORNING. The MARKET was established in 1869 as a covered food market by philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts for 400 stalls with flats above in a tall Gothic building. The market closed in 1886 because the traders preferred selling outdoors.
The MARKET is popular not only with plant and flower buyers but also with photographers and television companies who regularly film here.
Thanks,
My olest son– whom many of you know in the LONDON CONNECTION OFFICES here in the States– recently was in London working with ourLondon team, looking at new flats, and riding his “miracle” 
After dinner, he left the restaurant only to find that his bike had been stolen. He called me on the phone and said: I HAVE JUST HAD THE MOST HORRIBLE DAY OF MY LIFE. I thought for sure he was in a hospital with a crushed skull and missing one leg. Well, it turned out that some thug had made off with his IBIS bike. He contacted his good friend SCOT NICOL owner of 
The front fork was a pre-production NINER CARBON FRONT FORK in “solid gold” color. The serial number of the fork was also unique as this was the only bike with such a serial number. The racing tires were RACING RALPH TIRES.
And what about the bike? The GOLD fork has been recovered, and IBIS CYCLES and their representatives in London are hot on the trail of this unique bicycle. This carbon fiber IBIS bike won’t be difficult to track down: unique color, unique serial number, and IBIS clearly evident on the frame. The PUNK, Mr. Dean Settle, will be the key to finding it.
These two imagines of Windsor Castle from the air are really wonderful. I thought my readers would like to see them. I was told of the photos by a blog participant who read my article on the LONG WALK and WINDSOR GREAT PARK.
The Queen has had a busy week with The Duke of Edinburgh’s 89th birthday, TROOPING THE COLOUR, and Garter Day at Windsor Castle yesterday. I have posted several pictures of each occasion.
The Duke of Wellington is 94 and is the oldest Garter Knight. As he left St.George’s yesterday, he fell–only shaken, no broken bones. The photograph I am posting is quite an image with the Queen clearly concerned.
Enjoy the photographs. The Garter Ceremony was reinstated by the Queen’s father, King George VI, in 1948 after World War II. The ORDER OF THE GARTER is the highest level of chivalry in the United Kingdom, and the Garter Knights are personally appointed by the Queen. The Knights are senior members of the Royal Family, former Prime Ministers, and heads of other European Royal Families usually related to the Queen (ex. Queen Margaret of Denmark and Queen Beatrix of Holland).
A busy schedule for the Queen. She continues to thrive and to carry out her royal duties.
Thomas Moore
