ukulelemorfar

Maybe I am strange, but I have been spending the morning taking photographs of siome of the spectacular, but small bridges in southern London. Chelsea Bridge and Albert Bridge are two of my favourite city bridges in the world. Lovely suspension bridges from the late 19th century.

But the best part was after shooting Vauxhall Bridge, which has som fine features. I went to the lovely Henry Moore-sculpture (Locking peices) nearby. A women came up to me and pointed at a small stone pillar nearby.  Do you know what that is? she asked, and when I did not she told me.
It was put in the spot where prisoners from nearby Millbank prison (now closed, and replaced by the Tate Gallery) embarked on the ships before being transported to Australia. It was done as late as 1867. In those days you could get transported for seven years just for stealing a loaf of bread. And do not think the government paid your journey back.
(If you are into this subject check out Peter Bellamy's folk operas "The Transports", there are also a lot of songs about it, like "Van Diemen's Land" and "Jim Jones at Botany Bay", in English and Australian folklore.

I also had time to see the marvellous peace pagoda in Battersea Park, just buy the river, visit two of the pubs associated with Charlie Chaplin and have lunch at Chandos, a lovely pub in the north east corner of Trafalgar Square. One of the best pubs in London.

Oh, by the way. This is a jubilee blogg entry, my 200th. Hooray, hooray!