Covent Garden - Street Performers - London

Yesterday spoke about my trip to Covent Garden and the variety of street performers that are there. Although Covent Garden has a number of high end fashion shops it's the street performers that give the area the edge over Oxford or Regents Street.

Kids would really love to pet the dog in the basket or say hi to the robot man made from plastic bottles. Its really great to see the crowds watch them preform and the kids taking their pictures with the characters.

If you ever get the chance to visit London, please add Covent Garden as one of the places to visit you will not be disappointed.

Covent Garden - Street Performers - London

Covent Garden, London is famous for its shops, street performers, bars, restaurants, theatres and the Royal Opera House. Covent Garden is an Italian-style piazza packed with restaurants, bars and fashionable boutiques. Surrounded by Theatreland, in the heart of London's West End, the area is recognised as the capital's premier entertainment and leisure destination


I spent last weekend in the gorgeous Covent Garden, which is full of beautiful architecture, fashionable shops and some great street performers. It is a favourite tourist destination which has a potent mixture of things to see, buy or experience. The pictures below show once such performer, he was a ice warrior who seemed to want to slice me in half. However after much diplomacy I managed to convince him to let me live and to be his side kick.

Covent Garden's Ice Warrior and his side kick!

Trojan's Corner Does Strictly Come Dancing

08

Now that Strictly come dancing has returned to our screens and my recent evening spent dancing or trying to dance salsa at the Rivoli ballroom on Friday. I decided to repost a video that Sally and I done on salsa.

Now that I have been doing salsa for a while now, I discovered some things about me that I didn't know before.

Doing salsa freestyle is so hard... i can do the set routines in the class, but can I do salsa on my own...Hell no! my mind goes blank and i just freeze. Its like the power of dance just leaves me and I feel like a right idiot.

Normally I love to dance and feel confident when I am on the dance floor. Its funny when you discover that something you can normally can do and find you suddenly cant do it.

Salsa is my personal challenge this year, I find it really inspires me to be a better dancer and a more confident person. I m now trying to improve my free styling dancing.

I been loving the new series of Strictly Come Dancing and been contestants this year are really great. My favourite to win this year goes to Ricky Whittle and his dance partner Natalie Lowe are really good.

A Fork in The Road - A poem

I was meant to do a post about Salsa today, as I am going to the a Salsa tonight with Sally (Sally's World) at the Ravioli ballroom.
Due to a technical problem it will hopefully be posted tomorrow.

Anyhow, I have been thinking a lot about my future lately and the choices that I may need to take to make things happen.
I posted a poem by Robert Frost called “a fork in the road” to illustrate a picture I took whilst in Spain visiting my mum (Gloria’s Spanish View).
The picture I posted kinda typifies where I currently stand in my life, should I do this or should I do that.

My mum went through this when making her decision whether she should go and live in Spain or should she stay in London.
I think she made the right decision!

The poem below is a snapshot of where I’m currently at, I hope you guys like it.

PHOTO: Ethical Fork in the Road

A fork in the road,
on a winding road called life.
Hard choices that need to be made.
That may cause,
failure or success.
The consequences of which,
will only be discovered in the future.

© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

The End of Summer - London's St James Park

One of the things I really love about London is the many open spaces the city has to offer.

St James Park is my local park which is round the corner from where I work.

During the summer months (does England have a summer?) St James Park hires deck chairs to the public so that they are able to relax and enjoy the weather .

Looking back at this picture I thought "When was the last time you actually spent time in your local park"? To be honest I have several parks near where I live and I hardly ever visit them.

Now that summer is drawing to a close, try and grab the opportunity to enjoy the public spaces your city has to offer.

Since St James park is round the corner from where I work, I often take the opportunity to spend half my lunch hour walking round this park enjoying the fresh air and greenery.

I think its important to take a moment away from the office and recharge those batteries for the afternoon session.

In this Picture you can see Big Ben and fellow Londoners enjoying the beauty of the park before our summer finally comes to an end!

Growing Your Vegetables

Have you ever considered growing your own vegetables?

Well I did and here are the so called fruits of my labour! I have some pictures to show you.

Above is my first pumpkin, its currently growing in my garden tree and below is my cherry tomatoes of which I picked last night and used for my dinner.

Growing your own vegetable is really easy.

I am currently growing carrots garlic, ginger, sweet chilli peppers, Scotch bonnet peppers and very soon potatoes.

You can grow all of the above vegetables in flower pots and they don't require much space.

The peppers can even be grown on your kitchen window sill or patio.

Go on and give it a try, its really fun, helps reduces the food miles, saves money and is great for the environment.

Good Morning - Off To Work - Morocco

Every morning all over the world, people go to work. It struck me the other day that the image of "going to work" isn't just the morning commute by car, train or bus. People wearing business suits reading the paper and drinking that much needed coffee. Or even reading your email, Facebook on your blackberry whilst listening to your playlist on your Ipod.

Going to work is about earning your dollar, pound or Euro (or whatever currency you earn) to make ends meet. It about paying for your mortgage, paying your bills and providing for your family. Something which is universal regardless of where you from.

The picture was taken in Morocco and shows how some in the rural community go to work - which is a marked difference to how I go to work.

Good Morning - Sunrise In Spain

Every day we are greeted with a sunrise that brings the promise that something wonderful could happen. The below picture was taken in Spain whilst walking with my mum. You can sunlight creeping over the hills and the darkness of the night is receding.

Below is a poem by Jacqui Thornton which captures the wonder of the sunrise.

I hope you enjoy it.

Sunrise

The grey begins to fade,
As colour creeps from leaf to limb.
The light is slowly seeping up,
From beneath the earth's curved rim.

The sky blue strengthens slowly,
Glazed with hues of orange and red.
Slowly as the earth revolves,
The sun lifts up it's head.

Colours shimmer in the light
And shapes begin to unveil.
The trees and flowers separate,
With the dawn light rosy and pale.

The sun climbs higher in the sky.
It's light shimmering and warm.
All things now are clearly seen.
A new day has been born.

Jacqui Thornton Copyright © 2000

Learn How to Take Photos of People on a Escalator

A cool video tutorial on how to take really cool escalator photo with basic photography equipment.

If you try this out I would be interested in seeing your pictures!

Open House Weekend - London

London's annual showcase of all things architectural moves into view this weekend, throwing open the portals on some 700 properties of every conceivable type, size and shape across the capital.

The weekend is also about opening eyes and minds to good design; there's a focus, too, on sustainability and eco building: look out for the Sunken House in Hackney and Kensal Green's Portland Road development.While the Lloyd's building, City Hall, Tower 42 and Centre Point continue to attract attention,Open House is about venturing further afield to say, Bromley or Neasden for unsung marvels such as The Berresford House and Churchill's underground bunker.

Plus, the Night Hike returns once again, offering people the chance to walk through late night London and raise funds for cancer charity Maggie's at the same time.

Open House London, Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 September, various venues. Free admission. Opening hours vary as do tour times. Some venues require advance booking.

Click here for more information

Outside the O2 Arena - Street Art

Yet another piece of street art/furniture.
London is being littered with great pieces of modern art for the past couple of years.

This picture was taken outside the o2 Arena – formally known as the Millennium Dome based in Greenwich, London.

There wasn’t any information on what this piece is or who designed it – so if anyone out there knows – please let me know and I’ll update this post.

It looks like a shard of glass to me... what do you think?

Take Great Pictures With Your Digital Camera

I have discovered this short tutorial on 10 top tips on how to take a great picture. Let me know what you think and what are your recommendations?

Street Art/ Furniture

All around London street art or furniture have been popping up to make our streets and neighbourhoods look great. I took these pictures a while ago and for the life of me can not give you any additional  information on what they are or what structure is called.

They are situated near St Paul's Cathedral in the city of London and that is all I know. If you have any additional information on these structures please let me know and I will update this post.

Any how, on the matter of street art/furniture, I'm all for it. Especially when it reflects the local area's history and culture.

As always love to read your comments!

Street Art or Graffiti? You decide? - Granada

Art can be found all around us.

Granada has some great examples of street art.

Art is....


Art should make you feel.

Art should provoke thoughts

Art is sometimes hidden in plain sight

Art is everywhere

Just take a moment to notice it
© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.


... my mum wrote a great post on how she felt after seeing the above picture of Louis Armstrong .

Pop over to her post and check out her write up - Gloria's Spanish View

Trojan's Corner Movie Review - District 9.

Thirty years ago, aliens made first contact.

Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa's District 9 as the world's nations argued over what to do with them.

Now patience over the alien situation has run out. Control over the aliens has been contracted out to Multi-National United (MNU), a private company uninterested in the aliens' welfare - they will receive tremendous profits if they can make the aliens' awesome weaponry work. So far, they have failed; activation of the weaponry requires alien DNA.

The tension between the aliens and the humans comes to a head when an MNU field operative, Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), contracts a mysterious virus that begins changing his DNA. Wikus quickly becomes the most hunted man in the world, as well as the most valuable - he is the key to unlocking the secrets of alien technology. Ostracized and friendless, there is only one place left for him to hide:

This is my review of this hit movie:

London Street Art - Welcome to London Town

What is your view point on Street Art? Is it a form of graffiti that should be discouraged or is it art that should be embraced?

Trafalgar square is the home of the National Gallery, where historic pieces of are kept for the viewing public. Entrance is free and if you are ever in London – or live in London it is worth a visit.

The above picture was taken outside the National Gallery, is this art or just graffiti ? Does the “art” have any less value than the pieces of art that hang in the gallery just yards away?

What does "ART" mean to you?

Alcaicería (House of Caesar) - Granada - Spain

During my trip to Granada my mum and I spent time exploring the area around Granada's Cathedral this is great part of Granada.

It's narrow streets are filled with Flamenco dresses  jewellery, tables, pipes, té and accessories among other trinkets arab products. 

It was once a great bazaar where silk was made and sold. Alcaicería literally means either the "house of Caesar" or "belonging to Caesar" in recognition of the fact that Emperor Justinian granted the Moors permission to sell silk. Traditionally these bazaars were situated in the centre of a city, with inns where the merchants could stay, and with gates at all the entrances to guard against looting and which were closed at night. The narrow streets inside were then patrolled by watchmen.

The rosemary wielding gypsy ladies also hang out around here. Having said this, it's still a safe place - just be aware of your belongings.

Granada - Spain - A view of the Cathedral

As is the case of most Christian buildings in Granada, the Cathedral was built on the site of the former Mosque. The site of the former Mosque has since been replaced by four buildings: the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, the Sagrario, and the Merchants' Exchange. 

This picture was taken on my second visit to Granada. On this visit I spent the day with my mum strolling the streets of this wonderful city enjoying its rich history. Granada cathedral like many that I have seen in Spain is quite stunning.

Based around the Cathedral are shops selling Moroccan arts and crafts, also a word of warning there are gypsies who try to sell you flowers, try to avoid them.

9/11 - the day the world changed.

The day the world stopped in horror.

The day the world changed and the terror felt so close to home.

The Day the World Changed.

Terrorism has only losers

as no one really wins

although our loss of inncocene and freedoms are being chipped away

just remember the ones who have been lost.

Just remember and never forget!

© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

The above picture was taken six months after the 9/11 attack in New York City. All over Manhatten, city walls had pictures and messages of people who was missing after the terrorist attack.  Nine years later we should take a moment for those families who has lost loved ones in acts of terror - London, Marid, Bali, Iraq, Afganistan, Delhi amoungst others.

Quiet Reflection within the Gardens of Carmen de los Mártires - Granada

Mum doing her Princess Di moment and looking great!

When was the last time you sat down and truly appreciated your surrounds in quiet reflection? We spend our lives rushing from one task to another without really enjoying the moment and the beauty that surrounds us.


I took this picture of my mother at the gardens of Carmen de los Mártires. She was taking a moment by herself to enjoy the beauty around her. Looking back at the picture now, it reminded me how often we walk past things that are truly beautiful which we never really see.

Whatever you today try and take a moment to some quiet reflection and see the beauty of the world around you.

Let Love...

The above picture was taken in New York city at the Love statue.

Yesterday Sally from Sally's World posted a passage from the bible about love.
After reading the passage I was inspired to write the following. I hope you like it.

Let love rule,

Let love be your guide when you reach your darkest hour.

Let love be the memory of your child's childhood and the smile from your partners lips.

Let love be you and be felt by me.

Let love be us.

Let Love Rule written by Trojan Gayle

  © 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

 

This is for the people who love me and the one's I love.

Lucena a Busy Market - A Mother with Child Shopping

Markets are the same the world over, people bustling through the different stalls, looking for a bargain. Stall sellers shouting the prices of their goods.

This market is held  in the nearby town Lucena where it is held once a week. This market sells mainly clothing items and food.

Above is a woman with her child, looking through some clothes that were on sale for €3.00.

A colourful picture of life, mother with child shopping.

A View To a Kill from Carmen De Los Martires- Granada Spain

Last week I spent five wonderful days in glorious Spain, staying with my mum  (Gloria SpanishView's - check out her blog for some great pictures). This stunning view of Granada city is from Carmen De Los Martires.


Carmen de los Mártires is a 19th century house and ornamental grounds just to the right of the Alhambra palace. There are some interesting views of the Alhambra from the other side and great views of the city of Granada and the Sierra Nevada. 


During this week, Trojan's Corner will be featuring photography of my stay in Spain.  I look forward to your comments and your company. 

Tag Your It! - More stuff about me! - Repost

Since I have been doubled tagged this morning (Thanks to Gloria and Sally). I have decided to repost my earlier post. With some slight revisions!

1. What’s your current obsession? Salsa and Photography

2. What’s your weirdest obsession? Blogging, photography and gardening.

3. What are you wearing today? Brown shirt and tie and dark grey trousers

4. Why is today special? Monday - which means Salsa tonight!

5. What would you like to learn to do? Spanish

6. What’s the last thing you bought? Marks and Spencer all butter pain aux raisins

7. What are you listening to right now? Get Sexy from Sugababes! I know, I know....

8. What’s your favorite weather? Sunny, hot and sunny, sunshine, with a little extra sun, and hot!

9. What’s your most challenging goal right now? Finish decortaining the house.

10. What do you think about the person who tagged you? I woman with a lot to give and alot to achieve

11. What's your favorite guilty pleasure? TV

12. Favorite vacation spot? Miami

13. What would you like to have in your hands right now? Money lots of it

14. What would you like to get rid of? My debts!

15. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go: In a spaceship

16.Which language do you want to learn? Spainish fluently

17.What super power would you like to possess? Mind reader!

18. What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in? It accepts everyone, great diveristy and have something for everyone.

19.What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet My Red timberland boots!

20. What’s your dream job? A film director

21. If you had $/£/€150 now what would you spend it on? A plane ticket.

22. Do you admire anyone’s style? Sean Combs

23.Describe your personal style. Cool, smart and sexy!

24. Who’s fashion show would you want tickets to? Sean Combs

25. If you had to slap one person with no repercussions, who would it be and why? Oh, there are so many lol! Definitely Mariah Carey, she so far up her arse she needs a slap to get some sense in.

26. What are you most proud of? My Mum

27. If you could choose one person to have lunch with who would it be and why?

President Obama because he is my personal hero.

Now the rules of this tag:

1. Respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention

2. Tag 7 other people you would love to learn more about.

Click on the links below to discover seven wonderful and diverse blogs!

1. Gloria's Spanish View
2. She Poet
3. Sally's World
4. Garçon Stupide
5. Alterdom
6. Christopher Photo's Christopher Raun Leth
7. Vita Stunder

Geese In Regents Park - London

Yesterday I ran 10 km (6.25 miles) in the Regents park race. I completed the run in 59.01 minutes without stopping.  As you read this I have been suffering with aches and pains in my legs but it was really worth.  I was able to take some gorgeous photographs in the beautiful Regents Park. The photo above is of a kid running through a flock of pigeons and geese, as geese are known to attach people, he's a brave boy!

Purple Rain - My English Garden

I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow

I never meant 2 cause u any pain

I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing

I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain

Lyrics by 

Prince : Purple Rain

Looking Down the Garden Path

This picture is of my garden, looking down the garden path. In the distance you can see my cat Sirus Black  (Cee) and my house. I thought this would be the view point that my cat probably see's the world.

Sunshine through the Trees - South Norwood Lakes & Grounds

This picture was taken at my local park South Norwood Lakes.

Olive Groves in Cordoba Spain

Olive Groves are a familar sight in southern Spain's countryside. This picture was taken in June while visiting my mum, Gloria (Gloria's Spanish view). Today I head home to London and will be sorry to leave this gorgeous sunshine and wonderful people. Plus I'll be sad to leave my mum as well.

Hasta luego!

Crystal Palace seen from Norwood Lakes Park - South London

Crystal Palace television tower seen from Norwood lakes park on a beautiful summers day.
A perfect place to sit and chill and perhaps even read that book the you been meaning to read.