Category Archives: London

95. Going underground – the 7/7 attacks on London

Posted on 7 July, 2005 by | 1 comment

july-7-attacks-london.jpgWe talk and we talk
Until my head explodes
I turn on the news
And my body froze

I’m going underground, going underground
So let the boys all sing
And the boys all shout for tomorrow
The Jam – March 1980

Hi Rick
Many thanks for your note earlier, as well as for your concern. It’s been a terrible day.

Fortunately, I wasn’t up in town this morning. Although I have been unaffected directly by today’s events, that is not to say that I have been unmoved. It has been quite simply the most remarkable and poignant week in London that I can ever remember.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in 2005, A1 - the best of roads of stone, history, London, music

94. London Olympics 2012

Posted on 6 July, 2005 by | 1 comment

Yes !

london-olympics-2012.jpg

Related articles:
64. Olympic laurels – Athens 2004
40. Running with Roger Black
116. London is Olympic – The London Marathon
95. Going underground – the 7/7 attacks on London
54. Four minute mile

1 Comment

Posted in 2005, history, London

92. Live from London – Live8

Posted on 2 July, 2005 by | Leave a comment

And what did I do ? Same as I did that summer’s day, 20 years ago. I ran 10 km, and I watched a concert.

It’s not going to change the world. Or is it ?

live8-hyde-park-london-2005.jpg
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in 2005, life and times, London, music, politics

85. A homage to London’s Gherkin

Posted on 22 April, 2005 by | 8 comments

It’s easy to forget, when you live and work around this great metropolis, just what a marvel it is. London is at least 2 000 years old, and yet continues to metamorphose in front of our eyes. It’s a wonder to me that the views of London are so varied, so constant, and yet so changing – with the seasons, the shade of light, and my own life’s perspective. And on a grey Tuesday morning in April, I stood in the City and wondered all over again.

30-st-mary-axe-gherkin-london.jpg
Continue reading →

8 Comments

Posted in 2005, A1 - the best of roads of stone, history, London

70. Livin’ on milk and alcohol

Posted on 11 November, 2004 by | Leave a comment

Amongst bizarrely balanced nutritional regimes, this particular Dr Feelgood diet must score almost as highly as Eric Clapton’s lyrical blend of peaches and diesel. But it’s a much more innovative non-runner’s recipe which I’ve been following this week, my own newly-patented formula of Champagne-and-Ibuprofen.

selfridges-oxford-street-west-end-london-night.jpg
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in 2004, life and times, London, music

51. London Calling

Posted on 18 April, 2004 by | Leave a comment

london-skyline-gherkin-and-tower-42.jpgLondon calling to the faraway towns
Now that war is declared
And battle come down

Engines stop running
But I have no fear
London is drowning
And I live by the river
The Clash – January 1980

Around the corner, the view suddenly opens up. I see the City skyline first, then the turrets, and finally the bridge itself. Tower Bridge. The London Marathon, 12 miles. It’s the greatest sight in world running – and I’ve no doubt about that.

The crowds here are massive, the roar of noise incredible. Twelve-deep and wildy enthusiastic on the bridge, the line of spectators is even thicker, more frenzied on the other side. If the cold rain has been falling all morning, now it’s cascading. Running beside me is a chef, tossing pancakes all the way. I’m cold and drenched from head to foot, and the crowds must be soaked through, too. My race has just fallen apart, but it doesn’t matter, since this is the London Marathon.
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in 2004, A1 - the best of roads of stone, London, music, racing