One of our 'pilgrimages' to John's home town

The town is so depressing.  So many people on the streets seem to be addicts, very sick and frail and the poverty is evident- it makes Newham and Barking look like Mayfair.   the growth industries seem to be tattoo parlours, betting shops, pubs almost like shacks, fast food and then charity shops and second hand mobility scooters.  There are loads of adverts for gastric band surgery or help with mental health 'issues'.  We could only take Katelin to the park- where the longed for ride on the motor boat was not possible because the council were draining the park lake.  Just in time for the start of the school holidays

tea for two - view from the tea room

http://www.whitechapelgallery.org/

A bit of old Whitechapel from the Tea bar always the most popular part of any gallery.  it's a puzzle finding the cafe- partly because a photographic exhibition is on - we had a quick look- Thomas Struth- unknown to me but it looks good- pricey free to Tower Hamlets residents on 30th August.  you need to check the website or check with me and i will see about getting in with my IDwell it is an anarchist bookshop we are looking at!

a Textile stall at Spitalfields

Erik is there most Fridays. he sells these lovely Liberty fabrics very cheaply- and some lovely silks. I just have to learn to sew them now

The old Spitalfields market

They are always trying to sell something new at Spitalfields. here is the latest- just mustard and some nights they had some french music playing into the late evening

July is the month of pianos in London

In July pianos are scattered around London for anyone to play. I was with Una as we saw this chap playing, along with a fellow musician who aims to play all the pianos in London. he had just performed on the one on the Millennium Bridge.  I love this part of living in London- it cheers the place up so much and makes the place very joyful.

'The Tree of Life'

We saw this at 'Rich Mix' which is getting yet another make over. It tries to be anything but a council funded place, yet whatever it does it seems to smack of a committee at work.  nevertheless films are £5 on Mondays and Tuesdays with an IDEA store library card or proof you live in the borough.  The film is beautifully filmed tosh

The relaunch of the Bishopsgate Institute

The most popular part of the week's relaunch was probably a talk by Dan Cruikshank- a local resident and a well known architect and historian. His talk to a packed hall was on the changing face of the east End and in particular Spitalfields. He described the assault on the area by the City and stated his opposition to the demolition of the Fruit Exchange building In Brushfield  Street and Commercial street.  Apparently English Heritage does not really put up any opposition. 

It seems that Spitalfields is going to change drastically in the next few years unless we go into a deeper recession