a bigger splash

Hyde Park in London has a large area devoted to showing the Olympics, live, on big screens.  Yesterday crowds gathered expectantly as Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield, the British hopes, took part in the Men’s Synchronised 10m Platform diving event.

flag fashion

From the classic cape (bringing out the inner superhero) to the German dual purpose hat/loudhailer, there were a lot of ways to support the teams at the cycling on Saturday in Putney.

trying to bridge the gap

Yesterday I went to Putney Bridge to watch the Road Race.  The cyclists passed by very quickly on the way out and there was 5 hours to sketch before they passed back on the final few miles to the finish on the Mall.

Putney put on lots to keep everyone occupied during the day –market stalls, live jazz, free strawberries and cream, a TV tent and entertainment for the children.  There was a lovely relaxed party atmosphere, with even the police joining in and posing for photographs doing the ‘Lightning Bolt’ pose.

Not everyone was enjoying the giant inflatable Wenlock.

“The kids were told they were getting a celebrity.  And then this turned up,” said a local woman.

“They were expecting Justin Bieber!” added her husband.

Box Hill

Box Hill is to the Olympic Cycling Road Race as l’Alpe d’Huez is to the Tour de France.  Well…sort of.  The cyclists will ride 9 times round the Box Hill circuit (twice for the women) as the race wends its way back from deepest Surrey to the finish on the Mall.

  

arrivals

the Olympic mascots' country cousins

going for gold

The British Museum has a display of the 2012 Olympic medals, plus other medals and the original London 1948 poster.  People were queueing up to take photos.

under the Olympic rings

Summer in the City

Yesterday I was at the BT River of Music concert in Trafalgar Square, one of the many events celebrating the forthcoming Olympics.  And guess what…the sun finally came out!

Alternative uses of tourist map, one as a blanket and another, made into a sun hat.

Time for a chat between artists.

It was a shorts and sun hat type of day.

La Chiva Gantiva burst onto the stage and got the crowd dancing with their very energetic performance.

Nelson looked down as Ludovico Einaudi bought the evening to a close.

yellow jersey

on the train to New Malden

getting ready for the Olympic Torch Relay in Penge

added colour

urban sketch

a load of rubbish

view of the railway bridge from Alexandra Nurseries

urban sketch

added colour

architectural detail on the front of the Grant's building

This is a drawing of one of the many decorative panels on the front of the former Grant’s Department store in the centre of Croydon.  Built in 1894, the Grade 2 listed building now houses the Vue cinema and a selection of restaurants.

falling asleep on the train

I really admire the train drawings of Lynne Chapman, one of the Urban Sketchers.  She does fantastic drawings of people on trains, mainly when they are asleep and unaware.  When I saw this lady nod off on the train from Dorking, I grabbed my sketchbook to have a go.  Her head fell further and further down as she dozed and then she would suddenly bring it back up again when the train arrived at the next station. 

window detail in Croydon

This beautiful leaded decorative window is one of a row of four near West Croydon bus station, above ‘Beauty Queen – Body and Hair products’ in Station Road.  I couldn’t find out more about the building.  Anyone out there know anything? 

standing on the tube

butterfly bush

delays on the tube

bindweed and golden hop go berserk

waiting for public transport

tools of the trade

lavender

after the party

Let's go Tesco!

through the windows at the Horniman Museum

fur, feather and bone - exhibits at the Horniman Museum

I am the Walrus

people in the cafe

Buddleia buds